The Ford Bronco has quickly established itself as a versatile off-road vehicle with impressive on-road capabilities as well. Among its many features, Sport Mode offers drivers enhanced performance for spirited driving situations. Understanding how to activate and use this driving mode can significantly improve your driving experience in certain conditions, whether you’re navigating winding roads or seeking more responsive handling.
Locating the G.O.A.T. Modes Selector
The Ford Bronco features what Ford calls G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain). This terrain management system allows drivers to select different driving modes to optimize vehicle performance for specific conditions. Sport Mode is one of these selectable driving modes designed to enhance the vehicle’s on-road performance characteristics.
To access Sport Mode:
- Locate the G.O.A.T. Modes rotary dial in the center console
- The dial is between the front seats, typically behind the gear selector
- The G.O.A.T. Modes available will depend on your specific Bronco trim level
How to Activate Sport Mode
Once you’ve located the G.O.A.T. Modes selector, activating Sport Mode is straightforward:
- With the vehicle running, rotate the G.O.A.T. Modes dial clockwise
- Continue rotating until the Sport Mode icon is on the instrument cluster
- The Sport Mode icon resembles a circular gauge or speedometer
- The instrument cluster will briefly display “Sport Mode Activated” to confirm your selection
The Sport Mode Features
When Sport Mode is engaged, the Bronco makes several adjustments to vehicle systems that enhance performance:
Powertrain Adjustments
- The transmission shift points are altered to hold gears longer
- Downshifts occur more readily for better acceleration
- The throttle response becomes more immediate and sensitive
Steering Adjustments
- Steering effort increases for more feedback
- Steering response becomes more direct and precise
- Power steering assistance has sportier handling
Stability Control Modifications
- Traction control thresholds are adjusted to allow more wheel slip
- Electronic stability control becomes less intrusive
- The system still maintains safety parameters while allowing more dynamic driving
When to Use Sport Mode
Sport Mode is ideal for specific driving scenarios where enhanced performance is desirable:
Recommended Situations
- Driving on winding roads where responsive handling is beneficial
- Highway merging or passing where immediate acceleration is needed
- Spirited driving on well-maintained roads
- Situations where you want more driver engagement
Not Recommended For
- Off-road driving (use specific terrain modes instead)
- Slippery road conditions (snow, ice, heavy rain)
- Maximizing fuel efficiency
- Towing heavy loads
Sport Mode on Different Bronco Trims
The Sport Mode experience varies slightly depending on your Bronco trim level and powertrain configuration:
Base and Big Bend
- Basic Sport Mode functionality focusing on throttle response and transmission adjustments
- Less pronounced changes to steering feel
Black Diamond and Outer Banks
- More comprehensive Sport Mode with noticeable steering and powertrain adjustments
- Additional display information in the instrument cluster
Badlands and Wildtrak
- Most aggressive Sport Mode calibration
- Enhanced powertrain response with more dramatic shift pattern changes
- Most notable steering adjustments
How to Exit Sport Mode
To exit Sport Mode and return to a different driving mode:
- Rotate the G.O.A.T. Modes dial to select another mode
- Normal mode is recommended for everyday driving conditions
- The instrument cluster will confirm the new mode selection
- Vehicle systems will adjust accordingly to the new mode
Impact on Fuel Efficiency
It’s worth noting that using Sport Mode typically increases fuel consumption due to the more aggressive engine and transmission mapping. The Bronco computers optimize for performance rather than efficiency in this mode, so extended use will likely reduce your driving range between refuelling stops.
5 Facts About the Bronco Sport Mode
- Engineers fine-tuned the Bronco Sport Mode algorithm over 10,000 kilometers of test driving on Germany’s famous Nürburgring race track, even though the vehicle primarily focuses on off-road capability.
- When engaged in Sport Mode, the Bronco onboard computers make adjustments to more than 20 different vehicle parameters, updating some of them up to 100 times per second.
- The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine in higher trim Broncos features a special boost mapping exclusive to Sport Mode that temporarily increases turbo pressure for enhanced throttle response.
- Ford engineers created a unique engine sound enhancement specifically for Sport Mode that emphasizes the EcoBoost’s turbocharger character while filtering out less desirable frequencies.
- Engineers benchmarked the Bronco Sport Mode against sports cars, not other SUVs, aiming to deliver unexpected on-road performance.
Questions and Answers About the Bronco Sport Mode
Does the Ford Bronco Sport have the same Sport Mode as the full-size Bronco?
- While both models feature a Sport Mode, the calibration differs significantly. The full-size Sport Mode is tuned for a more rugged character, while the Sport version is for its unibody platform.
Will using Sport Mode regularly damage my Bronco?
- No, Sport Mode is a factory-designed feature that operates within safe parameters for all vehicle components. It may increase wear on certain consumable parts like tires and brakes if used aggressively.
How much does Sport Mode affect fuel economy?
- It typically reduces fuel efficiency by 5-15% compared to Normal mode, depending on driving style and conditions.
Can I customize the Sport Mode settings on my Bronco?
- The standard model doesn’t offer customization for Sport Mode parameters. However, the Raptor trim does feature additional drive mode personalization through its “MyMode” settings.
Does Sport Mode change the Bronco ride height?
- No, unlike some luxury SUVs, the Sport Mode doesn’t alter the suspension height. The vehicle maintains its standard ride height regardless of drive mode.
Will Sport Mode help in off-road situations?
- Sport Mode is primarily designed for on-road performance. For off-road driving, the specialized terrain modes (Mud/Ruts, Sand, Baja, Rock Crawl) are more appropriate.
Does Sport Mode affect the Bronco towing capability?
- Sport Mode doesn’t change the maximum towing capacity, but experts generally don’t recommend it for towing. Its aggressive transmission shift patterns can cause less smooth operation with a trailer.
Can Sport Mode be activated when the vehicle is stopped?
- Yes, you can select Sport Mode while the vehicle is stationary, and the changes will take effect immediately once you begin driving.
Does Sport Mode make the exhaust louder on the Bronco?
- The standard model doesn’t feature an active exhaust system that changes volume. The sportier sound in Sport Mode comes primarily from higher engine RPMs and subtle audio enhancement through the cabin speakers.
Will Sport Mode turn off automatically when I restart my Bronco?
- Yes, the system defaults to Normal mode upon restart, regardless of the previously selected drive mode. You must reselect Sport Mode after each engine start if you want it.
