Ford Bronco Sport trim comparison

2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend vs Badlands

The Bronco Sport Big Bend starts at $31,695 while the Badlands is $40,115. That $8,420 gap buys 5 meaningful differences.

The short answer

This trim jump changes the engine from 1.5L I3 Turbo to 2.0L I4 Turbo. Everything else is secondary to whether that powertrain difference matters for how you drive.

Start with the Big Bend if the 1.5L I3 Turbo already feels sufficient for the way you drive. Step up to the Badlands only when the 2.0L I4 Turbo powertrain is the reason you are moving higher in the lineup.

If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the Big Bend to the Badlands is about $148/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $8,880 more by the time interest is counted. The payment only makes sense if that different powertrain matters to the way you actually drive, tow, or live with the vehicle.

$8,420
Price Gap
+69 HP
HP Diff
+4 MPG
MPG Diff
Trim navigation

Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.

Compare another trim against Badlands Badlands stays locked on this side. Pick a different trim for the other slot without leaving the exact head-to-head route.
Compare another trim against Big Bend Big Bend stays locked on this side. Use this row to test the next trim up or down while keeping the exact pair page intact.
Lower-price trim
Starts at $31,695
VS
Higher-price trim
Starts at $40,115
Practical Choice: Big Bend
Daily Comfort: Badlands

Who notices the difference

The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.

When both feel the same

Both the Big Bend and Badlands share the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.

The upgrade math

You are paying $8,420 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $2,105 per change.

Key Differences at a Glance

This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.

MSRP
$31,695
vs
$40,115
Engine
1.5L I3 Turbo
vs
2.0L I4 Turbo
Horsepower
181 hp
vs
250 hp
Fuel Economy
27 MPG combined
vs
23 MPG combined
All-weather floor mats for the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Check prices on Amazon (paid link)

Every Difference, Side by Side

This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 5 specification differences, 1 shared.

Engine Biggest
Big Bend1.5L I3 Turbo
Badlands2.0L I4 Turbo
Fuel Economy
Big Bend27 MPG combined
Badlands23 MPG combined

Full Specification Comparison

Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.

Spec Big Bend Badlands
Pricing
MSRP$31,695$40,115
Powertrain
Engine1.5L I3 Turbo2.0L I4 Turbo
Horsepower181 hp250 hp
Torque190 lb-ft277 lb-ft
Transmission8-speed shiftable automatic8-speed shiftable automatic
DrivetrainAWDAWD
Fuel Economy
City MPG2521
Highway MPG3027
Combined MPG2723
Fuel Tank16.0 gal16.0 gal
Annual Fuel Cost (EPA)No published data$1,900/yr
Dimensions
Wheelbase105.1"105.1"
Length172.7"172.7"
Width74.3"74.3"
Height70.2"71.4"
Safety
NHTSA Overall5/5 stars5/5 stars
Warranty
Bumper-to-Bumper3yr/36k3yr/36k
Powertrain5yr/60k5yr/60k
Corrosion5yr/unlimited5yr/unlimited
Roadside Assistance5yr/60k5yr/60k

Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.

2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend vs Badlands Questions Shoppers Ask

Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Ford Bronco Sport lineup, the Ford brand hub, the Compact SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.

How much more does the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands cost than the Big Bend?

The Badlands starts at $40,115 compared to $31,695 for the Big Bend. That is a $8,420 difference, or approximately $148/month more on a 60-month loan.

Do the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend and Badlands have the same engine?

No. The Big Bend uses a 1.5L I3 Turbo (181 hp, 190 lb-ft), while the Badlands has the 2.0L I4 Turbo (250 hp, 277 lb-ft). That is 69 more horsepower. Both pair with the same 8-speed shiftable automatic.

Do the 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend and Badlands have the same drivetrain?

Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.

Is the 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend or Badlands safer?

Both share the same Ford Bronco Sport platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.

What warranty does the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport come with?

All 2025 Ford Bronco Sport trims, including both the Big Bend and Badlands, come with Ford's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.

Is the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands worth $8,420 more than the Big Bend?

The $8,420 buys the 2.0L I4 Turbo. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the Big Bend does the same job for less.

Which 2025 Ford Bronco Sport trim gets better fuel economy, the Big Bend or the Badlands?

The Big Bend is the more efficient of the two at 27 combined MPG, versus 23 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.

What $8,420 Gets You

The Bronco Sport Badlands costs $8,420 more than the Big Bend. Whether that is worth it depends on how much you value the 2.0L I4 Turbo engine (+69 hp). Power and comfort matter differently to different buyers. Weigh them against your priorities.

Big Bend vs. Badlands: Day-to-Day

The Badlands comes with the 2.0L I4 Turbo instead of the Big Bend's 1.5L I3 Turbo. That means 69 more horsepower and 87 more lb-ft of torque. That extra power shows up most clearly once you are out of town and asking more of the drivetrain. The cost of that extra capability is roughly 4 fewer combined MPG.

Fuel Economy Comparison

The Bronco Sport Big Bend gets 4 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $270 per year or $1,350 over five years of ownership.

Summary

$8,420 more for the Bronco Sport Badlands gets you 4 real differences. At $148/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.

Trim-Matched Accessories

These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.

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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Ford or any dealership.

Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.

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