Ford’s decision to bring back the iconic Bronco nameplate was one the of the company’s best decisions.

They can’t keep the big boi on dealer lots, which means when you find one you will pay a premium. If you don’t something quite that big you may look at the Bronco Sport, a smaller SUV that allows you to take on tough terrain or urban landscapes.

The Bronco is based on the F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the country. The Sport is based on Ford’s Escape, one of the better small SUVs. You will not mistake the Bronco for the Escape. The Bronco Sport is far more upright and rugged looking. It has a bit of Range Rover Evoke styling, but the round LED headlamps and one-piece grille make this vehicle distinct. The flat body panels and square, contrasting color add to the rugged look.

My Bronco Sport was an Outer Banks edition which is the middle version. The interior featured heated leather seats with contrasting color. The front bucket seats are very comfortable, giving you ample support for your back and thighs. The rear seats are as comfortable. There is room for three passengers but two would be the most comfortable. It’s a 60-40 split bench setup. Fold the rear seats and you have 65 square feet of storage.

Head room is certainly generous due to the “Safari” roof. Really tall folk will appreciate the design.

The interior’s design is minimalistic in approach but doesn’t skimp on the technology. The dash features a big gauge display that leads into an 8-inch touch screen. Both feature cool Bronco graphics when the car starts. The gear and drive mode selection are made via big chunky knobs. The rubber floor can be taken out to clean off the mud from off roaming if you choose to do so.

Navigation is available as an option, but the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide seamless navigation through the smartphone app. My vehicle also had a technology package which included a wonderful Bang and Olufsen stereo, HD radio and wireless charging.

The Bronco looks the part but how does it drive. Well, that depends on your preference. The Bronco Sport was designed to take on backwoods, trails, and unbeaten paths. If you use it in that element the vehicle shines. You can bash, bang and bump your way through the outback with no problem.

Driving the Bronco in more urban settings is different. Since the vehicle is biased toward off-roading, it doesn’t have the smooth ride of the Edge it’s based on. The high roof also brings in more wind noise at highway speeds.

The Bronco is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and 190 pounds of torque. Doesn’t sound like much but it’s enough to get the Bronco to 60 miles per hour in 7.1 seconds. The engine never felt sluggish in traffic and the eight-speed transmission worked well.

So, what’s the big deal? The Bronco Sport is like the iPhone of SUVs. There are at least 100 accessories that Ford approves for the Bronco, including a roof-mounted tent if you want to camp out but not with the fauna. The world loves to accessorize, and the Bronco Sport gives you a nearly unlimited canvas.

This is also a really good vehicle. It’s a bit rough on the highway but so are certain Jeeps which is more the Bronco’s competition. The cool styling and off-road capabilities make this a must-look vehicle.

Pros:

• Boss styling

• Comfortable interior

• Plucky engine

• Good transmission

• Great available tech

• Standard 4x4

• Ridiculous amount of accessories

Cons:

• Wind noise

• Could be more highway friendly

Email Winfred Cross at: cross@alldaytech.com