2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $30,060–$40,220 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.7/10, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport earns a Recommended rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.7/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.4/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.2/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $30,060–$40,220, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Bronco Sport sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 8.1/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Bottom line: Think of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,060 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 17%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$9,720 ($1,944/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 14 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Across the Bronco Sport model years we've scored, the 2023 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $31,919 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $31,919 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $30,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $30,060 | |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $29,130 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $28,200 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Exterior lighting / Lighting control module 14/09/2022 · 22V686000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 F-150 vehicles. The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety… |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system 18/11/2022 · 22V859000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 23/01/2023 · 23V021000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco Sport vehicles. Valves inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module may have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an internal ABS module leak. |
| Tires 22/03/2024 · 24V223000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles. The tires may have been manufactured incorrectly, which may result in a loss of vehicle handling and control. |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system 08/03/2024 · 24V187000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. |
Showing 5 of 14 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Own a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
14 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #564 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 77% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport starts at $30,060 and ranges up to $40,220 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 6 Bronco Sport model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.8/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic, Tires (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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