Ford has brought retro goodness to the smaller of their Bronco family, the Bronco Sport. For 2023 they’re offering Heritage and Heritage Limited editions with lots of color and style to remind you of 1966.
The less expensive Bronco Sport Heritage which is based upon the Big Bend trim grade and features a two-tone paint scheme with an Oxford White on the roof, accent stripes down the side and on its unique alloy wheels. Across the white grille is Race Red “BRONCO” lettering.
The interior of the Bronco Sport Heritage gets Navy Pier accents and Oxford White contrast touches throughout. Seating trim is a heathered Navy Pier with plaid patterning along with a combination of Race Red and Robin’s Egg Blue accent stitching. Center console and armrests also get Navy Pier trims with accent stitching.
The 2023 Bronco Sport Heritage Edition has the Big Bend’s upgraded suspension with increased ride height and off-roadier strut, spring, bushing and anti-roll bar metrics for a more compliant ride in the rough. Power comes from a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque.
The one we tested here is the more expensive Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition – in fact it’s the most expensive way to buy a Bronco Sport at $46,400. Only 1966 will be offered. With only 1966 copies to be built, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited is already sold out as of this test. The lesser priced Bronco Sport Heritage shows that you can still order them.
Based on the Badlands trim grade it offers up the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission it also comes with the same “Advanced AWD” system from the Badlands model.
As such its four-wheel-drive system features manual locking capability and a twin-clutch rear differential unit that can push nearly 100% of torque to one of the rear wheels. You also get the suite of seven “GOAT” modes, including the additional Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl.
Visually the Heritage Limited Edition gets a slick retro metal “Bronco” script badge. It gets a white grille with red BRONCO lettering and white lettering at the rear gate. Its white alloy wheels have mounted slightly beefier 235/65 R17 Falken Wildpeak AT tires which compliment its offroad suspension well out in the bush.
Heritage Limited Edition is available in a limited color group including Robin’s Egg Blue, Yellowstone Metallic shown here and Peak Blue along with a Oxford White roof treatment.
The cabin of the Heritage Limited Edition has a rich saddle leather with perforated plaid inserts for seating and padded trims and has Oxford White trim appliques on the dash and door panels. On the center console is special-edition badging.
In all we were impressed with its robust off-road capability in spite of its country club styling treatment. It may not be fore everyone, but every one of them is already sold and on their way to a happy home.
