The SUV class excels in both offering buyers a familiar package while still leaving enough wiggle room for excitement, with some vehicles capitalizing more on the “sport” and others on the “utility” aspect of the namesake. Ford has two strong contenders in each category of the class this year, those being the Bronco Sport and Escape.
The Bronco Sport is a budget friendly version of the veritable Bronco and the Escape is an all-around-town SUV best suited for smaller families or newer drivers. In today’s review, we’ll be putting the two head to head. With this Bronco Sport vs Escape daily driver showdown, you’ll have all the tools needed to decide for yourself which model is best suited for your specific needs.
Key Takeaways
- The Ford Escape is offered in 6 trim levels this year, though the PHEV gets its own category.
- The Bronco comes with 5 trims of its own, meaning the two offer similar levels of customization.
- This head to head pits the offroading of the Bronco Sport against the Practicality of the Escape.
What are the trim levels for the 2025 Ford Escape?
This year, 2025 Ford Escape is offered in six trim levels: Active, PHEV, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum, though the PHEV is often reviewed separately.
Featuring a diverse powertrain lineup, the Escape is available with both hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The entry-level Active and ST-Line trims come equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. These models are front-wheel drive by default, with all-wheel drive available as an option.
Starting at the ST-Line Select, you'll find a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard all-wheel drive. Ford also offers the ST-Line and higher trims with an efficient 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, which delivers a combined system output of 192 horsepower and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission.
What are the trims for the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport?
Like the Escape, the Ford Bronco Sport comes in 5 different non-plugin trims, priced between $32,590 for the base model Big Bend trim and $41,710 for the no-holds-barred Badlands trim. While the Badlands sits at the higher end of the lineup, it more than justifies its cost by being the most bespoke offroader in the lineup. It comes equipped with the more powerful of the two available engines on the Bronco Sport, the 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, which is paired with an advanced all-wheel-drive system. The Badlands also features a lifted suspension and upgraded dampers, making it well-suited for tackling challenging terrain as it can tackle rocks and surface changes with relative ease.
The full list of pricing this year is:
- Big Bend - $32,590
- Free Wheeling - $34,730
- Heritage - $35,590
- Outer Banks - $38,090
- Badlands - $41,710
Summary
It’s a choice between off road prowess or all around sensibility when comparing these two SUVs. The Bronco Sport is an affordable (and practical) alternative to its big brother, the Bronco, but it’s outdone in pure practicality when compared against the Escape. At the end of the day, both models are close enough to justify picking for their own reasons, so don’t be afraid to go with your gut when choosing between the two in your SUV shopping journey.