RIDE-CT – Classic Cars Celebrating Classic Cars in Connecticut
EAST HADDAM, CT – If tie-dyed T-shirts, bell bottoms and Farrah Fawcett hairdos happen to be your cup of tea, then the sunset-inspired 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling package could be your ticket back to the bohemian days of yore. But you’ll need to be comfortable going your own way because the vast majority of today’s mainstream fashionistas consciously, and critically, looked the other way when I pulled up with it.
After a week behind the wheel, the Free Wheeling Bronco Sport was clearly a love or hate commodity along the road less traveled here in the wilds of conservative Connecticut.
It’s embellished with a four-color rainbow of red, orange and yellow 1970s-era stripes along its hood and flanks. In addition to the unique graphic treatment, the package includes groovy Race Red trimmed, 17-inch alloy wheels; a silver grille with red accents; Sunset Weave cloth seats; and more Race Red highlights around the instrument and inner door panel(s). There’s a black roof as well.
—
What Do You Think of the Ford Bronco’s looks?
Vote your preference in a new poll on the Community page of RIDE-CT’s YouTube channel.
—
Coincidentally, a similarly hip Free Wheeling package previously appeared back in the day on Ford Econoline vans, Pinto wagons and more Dearborn, Michigan-made divas, although the Bronco Sport now hails from Hermosillo, Mexico.
Some simply missed the Ford Free Wheeling point all together and considered the vibrantly bedazzled Oxford White Bronco Sport as some sort of Fall Harvest Edition, instead. Either way, it certainly garnered its fair share of opinion.
Overall, Bronco Sport styling pays homage to its original, full-size sport utility heritage so it’s purposely and prominently boxy. Such body design allows for maximum space utilization. Despite its compact outside dimensions, inside accommodations are generous.
Surprisingly, though, access could be a little better because the doors don’t open as wide as you might expect, especially, in the rear. The proud but blocky front end and high, bulged hood also reduce outward visibility ahead.
Rubber floor matting on the back of the second row seat, like what’s already on the rear luggage deck, is a nice, practical touch when it’s folded down for cargo carrying.
—
This special Bronco Sport is powered by a not-so-special 1.5-liter, turbo-charged EcoBoost three-cylinder engine that puts out 181 horsepower and delivers 190 lb.-ft. torque. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It’s certainly adequate, but I wouldn’t call it compelling.
Neither is the chassis. Its 25 city and 29 highway miles per gallon ratings are OK as well. But to achieve such mileage, the transmission torque convertor locks somewhat prematurely when in high gear which makes drivability suffer when cruisin’ ‘round town.
Instead of the raspy, standard three-cylinder engine, the optional 250 horsepower, four-cylinder EcoBoost (likewise turbocharged) option might be a better bet. But you will suffer a 12 percent drop in fuel economy with it.
There’s also a Go Anywhere Terrain Management system (G.O.A.T.) with five drive modes. They include Normal, Economy, Sport, Slippery and Sand software settings for specific traction challenges.
A couple of final thoughts on the previously discussed sunset stripes. They’re completely individual appliques that are adhered to the Free Wheeler’s painted surfaces. You have to wonder…what will their longevity be over time with exposure to an ever-changing environment, not to mention the abrasive impact of automatic car washes, etc.
The good news is at least they’re mildly reflective and should offer a little safety advantage, like the high visibility clothing that highway workers and bicycle riders wear.
The polarizing Bronco Sport Free Wheeling edition starts at $32,395, while my 4×4 went out the door at $37,695 with options, destination and delivery. With its unique heritage graphics, this special edition may not be for one and all, but everyone seemed to agree it’s far out!
(Photos courtesy of Ford unless otherwise noted / Photos show preproduction models)
