Don’t Count Out ‘Baby Bronco’ With Sasquatch Capabilities

KNOXVILLE, TN – Ford aims to close the capabilities gap between the Bronco Sport compact CUV and its larger sibling, the fullsize Bronco, by expanding the availability of the Sasquatch off-road package.

The package is now available for the 2.0L Bronco Sport Badlands and 1.5L Bronco Sport Outer Banks. Ford has not set the price of the package, but the upgrade runs about $5,000 on the fullsize Bronco.

The Sasquatch addition is at the request of customers, who want the Bronco Sport to be more durable, more capable and more versatile, according to Mike Weller, Bronco Sport brand manager.

The Bronco Sport – the so-called “Baby Bronco” – shares the front-wheel-drive-based, unibody C2 platform with the Ford Escape CUV and Maverick pickup. The larger Bronco is built on the body-on-frame platform of the F-150 pickup.

The Sasquatch package includes a twin-clutch rear-drive unit and locking rear differential along with Bilstein rear shocks which provide a wider range of compression and rebound damping capabilities.

Developed specifically for Bronco Sport Sasquatch, the 29-in. 235/65/R17 Goodyear Territory All Terrain tires provide increased traction.

Ford displays Bronco Sport Sasquatch's larger tire (right) against off-road tires from competitors Subaru, Jeep and Toyota.

The package also features innovations such as front fender tie-downs, available auxiliary switches and modular, accessory-ready components.

Ford was so hyped about the durability of the Sasquatch package elements that during a recent media program it showed off its oil pan skid plate, underbody shield, tow hooks and tires next to the same parts from competitive vehicles, including the 2024 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road, 2024 Jeep Compass Trailhawk and 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.

The media preview included a demonstration where the vehicle deftly traversed a large rock pile (pictured, below), revealing its underbody shield. It was conducted within view of the construction site of Ford’s newest Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo location, its fifth, which opens in October.

All Bronco owners are offered one free visit to the daylong off-road instruction program at the location of their choice. Knoxville joins facilities in Utah, New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas.

A short drive through the woods in a preproduction vehicle allowed us to experience some of the new-to-Bronco Sport features, including the new Rally G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any type of Terrain) mode, which results in the engine holding gears longer for increased power on demand, sharpened throttle response and increased feedback through the steering.

Adding Sasquatch to the smaller Bronco won’t cheapen the cachet of the package on the bigger Bronco, says Angela Zaetta, program manager, Bronco Sport.

“It's not just slapping a badge on it. The hardware is there, the capability is there,” Zaetta tells WardsAuto. “And we also believe that the Bronco and the Bronco Sport Sasquatch customers are different. We are really trying to tap into people that wouldn't necessarily typically be going off-road, but they have a Bronco Sport, they like the Bronco Sport.

"It does all their everyday things, but they want to be able to drive it to the office during the week and go off-roading on the weekend. And so, it's really more broad than what the Bronco could offer before.”

Bronco Sport Sasquatch matches its upgraded suspension equipment and off-road technology with a standard front brush guard, steel skid plates and modular, accessory-ready front and rear bumpers with steel bash plates as the first point of contact.

Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch's off-road gauges.

Four recovery points – two cast accessory-ready tow hooks in front and a pair of cast D-rings on the rear bumper – are designed to meet Ford’s off-road recovery requirements.

Changes on all 2025 Bronco Sport models bring it even closer to its larger Bronco sibling while integrating the modular and accessory-ready elements via Bronco Bolts, which signify parts that owners can replace to suit different purposes.

Bronco Sport Big Bend customers who don’t need the full capability of Sasquatch’s rear-drive unit have an off-road option, as well, with the new Black Diamond Off-Road package. Like Sasquatch, it adds four recovery points, up to 2,200 lbs. (999 kg) of towing capacity (2.0L Bronco Sports can tow up to 2,700 lbs. (1,225 kg) standard), and additional steel underbody protection.

Ford declined to provide the take-rate of the Sasquatch package on the fullsize Bronco, but one dealer indicates it’s significant.

“The Sasquatch package is probably the biggest hit on the Big Bronco,” Ed Roberts, chief operations officer at Bozard Ford Lincoln in St. Augustine, FL, tells WardsAuto. “However, on almost any truck platform, a lift and larger tires are the most common upgrades. Both of those are the key elements of the Sasquatch package. We look forward to the success of it on the Bronco Sport. I think it'll be a great addition.”

The 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands will arrive at dealerships in November. Bronco Sport Sasquatch will be available in early 2025.

Sasquatch package includes distinctive graphics.