2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition

The all-new Ford Bronco Sport is made for adventure-seekers who welcome the return to roads less traveled. While my adventure did not include off-roading or backwoods trails, I did meander in South Georgia for a bit on the movie trail in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition™ 4x4.  Whether I was in the city, on a country road, in stormy weather or stealthily maneuvering a movie set, the ride was smooth and nimble.  Did I mention the Bang & Olufsen audio system?  Ah, I was in heaven!  AND … the 400w inverter meant I could recharge camera batteries and my laptop while on the go. YAY! 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition made a quick stop at the Sac-O-Suds in Monticello, GA, which was made famous in the movie "My Cousin Vinny."

Designed by William Edwards of the Atlanta firm of Edwards & Sayward circa 1917, the Bank of Tifton is one of the most distinct commercial structures in the historic district. Several banks have occupied the site over the years. The wing on the right side is a later expansion.  A perfect spot for a movie about a bank robber. “Bandit,” starring Mel Gibson, Elisha Cuthbert and Josh Duhamel was in town, so the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition decided to stand guard.  

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 adventure took us to Ocean Pond in Lowndes County, Georgia.  A few scenes in "As Summers Die," which starred Jamie Lee Curtis, Scott Glenn and Bette Davis, were filmed here.

Our 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition at the iconic Brooks County Courthouse. "As Summers Die" used the iconic Brooks County Courthouse for its courtroom scenes.  It's one of the few original courthouses in the area and was constructed with bricks made locally in Quitman of Brooks County clay. 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition adventure continues to Senoia, Georgia, made famous by “The Walking Dead.”

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition at Starr’s Mill.  In the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" Jake's glassblowing shop was filmed at Starr’s Mill in Fayette County Georgia. 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition adventure took us to the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse in Valdosta, Georgia, where “Bandit,” starring Mel Gibson, Elisha Cuthbert and Josh Duhamel, was just filmed.  The courthouse was transformed into different locations and even a different era, including a hotel room, an 80s living room, a prison cell and a Canadian courtroom.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition at the most iconic building in Valdosta, Georgia, The Crescent.  It was built in 1898 for a U.S. senator. The circular veranda with 13 columns represents the original American colonies. It was saved from the wrecking ball in 1951 and is now managed by the local garden club, which maintains the test gardens. "As Summers Die" also filmed here.

Downtown buildings, streets, and the airport in Tifton, Georgia, can be seen in the film “Gasoline Alley,” starring Bruce Willis, Devon Sawa and Luke Wilson. One is the Golden Building which was built in 1919.  The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition decided to strike a pose

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition’s Bang & Olufsen’s audio system.

With unmistakable Bronco styling and unrelenting Bronco capability, the smaller sibling of Bronco joins the family with its own idea of fun. As with all Broncos, 4x4 is standard, and this rugged SUV is engineered to handle whatever weekend adventure its owner has in mind. 

“Bronco Sport has the toughness and smarts to help turn off-road novices into 4x4 pros,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer. “Bronco Sport embraces the needs of outdoor enthusiasts – every inch of it was designed and engineered with weekend adventurers in mind.” 

Five trim levels are available, including the base model, Big Bend™, Outer Banks™, Badlands™ and First Edition™. 

Like the larger Bronco, the all-new Bronco Sport delivers the 4x4 off-road capability that made the original Bronco a legend. With off-road performance at its core, Bronco Sport provides solid footing on sand, snow, mud, rocks and more. 

Badlands and First Edition models pack an advanced 4x4 system with a class-exclusive twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock feature to allow greater off-road performance – similar to a traditional mechanical locking differential. The system can divert virtually all rear axle torque to either wheel, setting it apart from any other vehicle in the non-premium subcompact utility segment. 

Bronco Sport’s suspension can take on rugged terrain and is complemented by Ford’s trail technologies. The small SUV’s Terrain Management System™ with up to seven available G.O.A.T. Modes™ (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) helps drivers “go over any type of terrain” and in various conditions. Standard modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand; Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes are available on Badlands and First Edition. 

My favorite mode in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition. 

All models feature an independent front and rear suspension engineered and performance tested in demanding environments across North America. The suspension is optimized to help drivers confidently maintain vehicle composure while aggressively taking on rugged terrain. 

On Badlands and First Edition series, the system includes uniquely tuned front struts with hydraulic rebound stops designed to provide a quieter, less jarring off-road experience. In addition, 46-millimeter-diameter monotube rear shocks are among the largest in the class, helping provide improved response and more comfort off-road, while softer springs and antiroll bars offer greater articulation over obstacles. 

Class-exclusive Trail Control™ technology furthers the vehicle’s off-road prowess. The available feature enables a cruise control-like setting up to 20 mph forward and 6 mph in reverse for vehicle-controlled throttle and braking, letting the driver stay focused on navigating the trail. 

Thank goodness for the above features in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition.  They’ll come in handy if I need to make a “getaway.”  #NotOJsBronco

For adventurers taking on rough and rocky terrain, the small SUV’s design includes made-for-the-trails departure, approach and breakover angles. An available class-exclusive front off-road camera with lens washer serves as a spotter and helps provide better visibility of the trail ahead, displaying the video on the center stack-mounted touch screen. 

A good reminder!

Listening to the perfect song on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition’s Bang & Olufsen’s audio system.

Jump up, jump up and get down.  Jump, jump, jump, jump ...

Off-road capability is further reinforced by four steel bash plates, plus available frame-mounted front tow hooks that can individually withstand static loads up to 100 percent of the gross vehicle weight. Badlands and First Edition can wade through up to 23.6 inches of water. 

Considering the storm I encountered, it was good to know the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition can wade in water.

Staying true to the DNA of the first-generation Bronco, the all-new Bronco Sport SUV pays it forward with modern, heritage-inspired style, agile off-road architecture and optimized suspension for better control in all environments. 

The Badlands and First Edition series are powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine that produces a targeted best-in-class 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque for high-speed off-road performance*. Base, Big Bend and Outer Banks series feature the proven 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine with a targeted 181 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque*. 

This!

Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while Bronco Sport Badlands and First Edition add SelectShift® with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to help drivers maximize control both on- and off-road. A cooling system with additional transmission and rear drive coolers keeps 2.0-liter models running strong over tough terrain. 

The Bronco Sport SUV’s design inspiration is directly linked to the all-new Bronco halo model. Its rugged design attributes include signature encapsulated cartridge grille, round headlamps, clean, flat bodysides, and timeless proportions that enable the short front and rear overhangs required for off-road maneuvers. Tough unpainted finishes smartly cover exterior contact points, so the vehicle is ready for almost anything the rough and tumble outdoors can throw at it. 

I love the grille on the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition.

The detail on the headlamps of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition. 

First Edition comes standard with 29-inch all-terrain off-road tires with more aggressive, deeper treads that stretch on to the sidewalls for improved off-road traction. 

2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition wheels are Art in motion.

Human-centered design led to special Bronco Sport features such as class-exclusive liftgate LED floodlamps – because out in the wild, there are no streetlamps – MOLLE straps to carry extra gear, zippered seatback pockets for additional stowage, and even a built-in bottle opener in the cargo area. 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition seats are comfy ...

... and pratical, too.  The zippered backs are great for storing maps and tour books.

Its upright design and safari-style roof contribute to Bronco Sport’s adventurous silhouette, which not only features a long flat roof rail for maximum carrying length, it also treats occupants to best-in-class first- and second-row headroom. The cargo area has enough height to accommodate two standing 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes with the available Yakima dealer-installed interior bike rack accessory. 

Bronco Sport will launch with more than 100 factory-backed and aftermarket accessories for maximum personalization, enabling dealers to provide outfitting-on-demand for each owner’s individual adventure needs. Bronco Sport buyers can also opt for any of four lifestyle accessory bundles themed Bike, Snow, Water and Camping. 

A flip-glass rear window, low-load floor cargo area, overlanding-ready roof rack with capacity to make roof-top tent camping easy, and front fender peaks that allow the driver to see the corners of the vehicle easily from behind the wheel reveal this small SUV is purpose-built for adventure from front to back, top to bottom. 

Bronco Sport can quickly help with basecamp setup thanks to an innovative slide-out working table, part of the available five-way configurable Cargo Management System, plus a class-exclusive 400-watt inverter and liftgate floodlamps that illuminate up to 129 square feet for when the adventure ends after sundown. 

Every vehicle needs this FABULOUS feature in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition.

To make post-adventure cleanups painless, the Badlands and First Edition series offer washable rubber flooring throughout the cabin and cargo area, easy-to-clean cloth seating surfaces and silicone-sealed control switches. For stowage of wet, icy or muddy gear, an available storage bin is located below the second-row passenger-side seat. 

In addition to being rugged, the vehicle features a SYNC® 3 system with an 8-inch touch screen and compatibility with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. Other available technology features include Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM™ satellite radio. 

The Ford Co-Pilot360™ suite of advanced driver-assist technologies is standard across the lineup, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking featuring Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Auto High Beam Headlamps and a rearview camera. Available Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ technology includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering, Evasive Steering Assist and voice-activated touch screen navigation. Available Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology adds Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane-Centering and Speed Sign Recognition. 

2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4x4 First Edition ... Art in motion.

Before ending the adventure in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition 4x4, I stopped at the Memorial Gardens in Tifton, Georgia, to pay tribute to the man created the Interstate Highway System, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

For more information regarding Ford Motor Company, please visit www.ford.com.

Photography www.bonniemoret.com.

 

*Horsepower and torque ratings based on premium fuel per SAE J1349® standard. 

BANG & OLUFSEN™ and B&O™ are registered trademarks of Bang & Olufsen Group. Licensed by Harman Becker Automotive Systems Manufacturing Kft. All rights reserved. 

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