CRTCar Real Test
Sources: EPA fuel economy file 2026-11-04 | NHTSA safety records 2026-11-14
Home › Ford › Bronco Sport › 2026

2026 Ford Bronco Sport: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls

The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport gets 23 to 27 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L) at 27 mpg.

How the Bronco Sport ranks in its class

In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Bronco Sport ranks 27th (tied with 7 others) of 66 for combined mileage (27 mpg), 21st (tied with 5 others) of 66 for yearly fuel cost ($2,300 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 28th (tied with 2 others) of 66 for tailpipe CO2 (324 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 27 mpg, costs $2,500 a year and puts out 329 grams per mile.

Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 80 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Bronco Sport's best version, 13 other models get the same and 141 get less. The 2026 Bronco Sport's cheapest version costs $2,300 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 55 cost less, 5 the same and 165 more.

Nearest models in the class (places 21 to 27 of 66)

Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.

PlaceModelBest versionmpgFuel a year, cheapest versionCO2 g/mi, lowest version
212026 Volvo XC602026 XC60 T8 AWD28$3,000122
272026 Buick Encore2026 Encore GX AWD27$2,300327
272026 Chevrolet Trailblazer2026 Trailblazer AWD27$2,300329
272026 Ford Bronco SportThis car2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L)27$2,300324
272026 Mazda CX-302026 CX-30 4WD #127$2,300329
272026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class2026 GLB250 4matic27$2,850324
272026 MINI Countryman2026 Countryman S All427$2,850324

Your fuel cost

Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.

$2,222 a year

2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L), 3-cyl 1.5 L: 25 mpg city, 30 highway, 27 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Bronco Sport version is $2,300 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).

27miles per gallon, combined
$0.15fuel cost per mile
556gallons a year
$11,111fuel cost over 5 years

Compare with a rival

The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.

2026 Ford Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L)
27
mpg combined
$2,222
fuel a year
2026 Buick Encore GX FWD
30
mpg combined
$2,000
fuel a year

The Encore costs $222 less to fuel each year.

Over 5 years the Encore costs $1,110 less to fuel than the Bronco Sport (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).

The Bronco Sport against its nearest rivals

Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.

Rival in 2026Best versionCombinedFuel a year, agency (15,000 miles)Against the Bronco Sport (mileage)Agency yearly fuel cost against the Bronco SportSide by side
2026 Buick Encore2026 Encore GX AWD27 mpg$2,300same figuresame-
2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer2026 Trailblazer AWD27 mpg$2,300same figuresameCompare
2026 Mazda CX-302026 CX-30 4WD #127 mpg$2,300same figuresame-

Every version of the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport

EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.

VersionEngineGearboxDriveCityHighwayCombinedFuel a yearCO2 g/miFuel vs cheapest
2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L)3-cyl 1.5 LAutomatic 8-spdPart-time 4-wheel253027$2,300324cheapest
2026 Bronco Sport Sasquatch 4WD3-cyl 1.5 LAutomatic 8-spd4-wheel232624$2,600370+$300
2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (4-cyl 2.0 L)4-cyl 2.0 LAutomatic (S8)4-wheel212723$2,700386+$400

Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2026 version pay back?

Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Bronco Sport; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.

Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.

Emissions

Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L) puts out 324 grams per mile; across the 3 tested versions the figure runs from 324 to 386.

EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L): fuel economy score 5, greenhouse gas score 5.

Mileage by model year

Best combined figure of the Bronco Sport gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.

Model yearBest gas versionVersions testedAgainst 2026
202126 mpg
21 mpg lower than 2026
202226 mpg
21 mpg lower than 2026
202326 mpg
21 mpg lower than 2026
202426 mpg
21 mpg lower than 2026
202527 mpg
3same as 2026
2026This page27 mpg
3this page

Compared with the 2025 model: 3 versions were tested then and 3 now; the best figure went from 27 to 27 mpg (no change).

Version in 202620262025Change
2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L), 3-cyl 1.5 L27 mpg27 mpgno change
2026 Bronco Sport Sasquatch 4WD, 3-cyl 1.5 L24 mpg24 mpgno change
2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (4-cyl 2.0 L), 4-cyl 2.0 L23 mpg23 mpgno change

Safety record

Crash-test ratings, 2026

Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.

VehicleOverallFrontSideRollover
2026 FORD BRONCO SPORT SUV N/A 4WD5 of 55 of 55 of 54 of 5

The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 8 complaints, 6 recalls, 0 investigations.

Owner complaints, 2026

8 complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Part named in the reportsReports
Unknown Or Other5
Air Bags1
Electrical System1
Engine1
Engine And Engine Cooling1

1 of the 8 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.

Safety recalls

6 recalls are on file for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Reported 25 Aug 2026, campaign 26V548000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026.

Structure:Body

Reported 25 Aug 2026, campaign 26V550000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles. Certain vehicle joints may be improperly tightened.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the vehicle joints or repair and replace the joint retention mechanisms as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications letters were mailed October 19, 2026.

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint

Reported 27 May 2026, campaign 26V340000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed.

Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater

Reported 14 Apr 2026, campaign 26V239000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.

Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, and inspect and replace the electrical cord if necessary, free of charge.

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

Reported 31 Mar 2026, campaign 26V201000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant classification sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2026.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Reported 14 Nov 2025, campaign 25V788000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.

Fix: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025.

More Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD for 2026

Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Bronco Sport itself is at 27 mpg.

Subaru Trailseeker117 MPGe combinedToyota C-HR117 MPGe combinedJeep Recon71 MPGe combinedJeep Cherokee37 mpg combinedKia Seltos29 mpg combinedSubaru Outback27 mpg combinedJeep Compass26 mpg combinedFord Bronco20 mpg combined

Other Ford models of 2026

More Ford models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.

MaverickSmall Pickup Trucks 4WD, 37 mpg combinedMustangSubcompact Cars, 26 mpg combinedF150Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, 23 mpg combinedExpeditionStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, 19 mpg combined

Common questions

Which 2026 Ford Bronco Sport gets the best mileage?

The 2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L) with 27 mpg combined (25 city, 30 highway).

How much does a 2026 Ford Bronco Sport cost to fuel for a year?

The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport costs between $2,300 and $2,700 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (3-cyl 1.5 L) at $2,300; the dearest is the 2026 Bronco Sport 4WD (4-cyl 2.0 L) at $2,700. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.

How does the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport rank among 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD models?

The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport is 27th of 66 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 27 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer at 27 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Mazda CX-30 at 27 mpg.

Did the Bronco Sport change from 2025 to 2026?

The 2025 model had 3 tested versions and the 2026 model has 3. The best figure went from 27 to 27 mpg (no change).

How did the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport do in crash tests?

In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 FORD BRONCO SPORT SUV N/A 4WD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4.

Do owners complain about the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport?

8 complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Unknown Or Other (5 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.

Does the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport have recalls?

The agency's database lists 6 recalls for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.

How fresh these numbers are

For the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.

Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.