2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Subaru Crosstrek
Here at DePaula Ford, the most important thing to us is finding all of our customers the perfect vehicle with the features and options they are looking for. The Ford lineup has a number of remarkable sedans, trucks, and SUVs to offer, which makes it easier for us to help you find something that you will love driving for many years to come. Comparing what Ford offers to some of the most popular models out there makes it clear that the Ford lineup is something special with amazing vehicles for you to choose from. Let’s say you are interested in a sporty and capable subcompact SUV; you might look at the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Subaru Crosstrek to see which one is right for you.
Honestly, all it takes is one good look at what each of these vehicles has to offer to see that the Bronco Sport is remarkable and to understand why so many people have chosen it as their subcompact SUV of choice. Checking out performance, both of these SUVs have two engines to choose from, giving you impressive options for power and capabilities. The Crosstrek starts with a 152-hp 2.0L BOXER engine, which is fine but pales in comparison to the standard 180-hp 1.5L turbocharged engine of the Bronco Sport. Going even further, Ford offers an available 2.0L turbocharged engine that delivers 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque; the available 2.5L BOXER engine for the Subaru Crosstrek with its 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque simply cannot compare.
Going beyond performance, the Ford Bronco Sport gives you fantastic interior features, including a massive 13.2-inch infotainment screen, a gorgeous 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Panel, and a wireless charging pad, all standard. Looking inside the Subaru Crosstrek, its standard features include a seven-inch infotainment screen, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, and a meager four-speaker sound system. If you are interested in heading off-road with your subcompact SUV, then Ford has you covered with standard four-wheel drive (4×4), five standard G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes, and available options that include the incredible Sasquatch package with its Bilstein shocks. Standard Crosstrek models come with Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) and X-Mode for enhanced handling, though only select trims have features and options designed for decent off-road performance.
| 2025 Ford Bronco Sport | VS | 2025 Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| $29,995 [a] | MSRP | $30,490 |
| 250 | Horsepower | 182 |
| 280 lb-ft | Torque | 178 lb-ft |
| 13.2 in | Screen Size | 11.6 in |
Power and Performance
Although a powerful engine might not be the most important thing to you when looking for a small SUV, it is something that is well worth considering. The kind of performance you get impacts every moment you spend on the road each day; it is easy to accept a weak and underwhelming engine in a subcompact vehicle, but the result of that is a poor drive that you might come to resent. As much as Subaru tends to come through with great performance in their vehicles, the Crosstrek misses the mark, and the result is a surprisingly underpowered SUV.
The Crosstrek’s Lackluster Engine Options
Looking at the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, we find two engines (we will see two engines for the Ford Bronco Sport too). The standard option is a 2.0L BOXER engine that offers 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, which is okay but certainly not exciting. For something better, an available 2.5L BOXER engine boosts performance up to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, which is pretty good overall and provides a much more enjoyable time on the road. These engines come paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is not our favorite for overall performance. Standard Symmetrical AWD makes for a great experience when driving around town each day, but it leaves something to be desired on dirt and gravel roads or uneven terrain.
The Bronco Sport Offers Superior Performance
You get a far superior experience with the Ford Bronco Sport, which starts with a 1.5L turbocharged engine that provides 180 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. You can see this is already superior to the available engine from Subaru, showcasing the kind of power Ford is well known for. An available 2.0L turbocharged engine ramps up performance with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, far surpassing anything available for the Crosstrek. Ford pairs these engines with an eight-speed automatic, which we much prefer, and standard 4×4 performance that feels better when dealing with rough winter weather or heading off-road. Overall, the Bronco Sport simply gives you more to enjoy and performance that cannot be beat.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Bronco Sport Is Ready for Adventure
If you are interested in an SUV for heading off-road, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Ford Bronco Sport and everything it has to offer. Standard features on the Bronco Sport, without adding anything, include impressive 4×4 engineering, plus five G.O.A.T. Modes that include Normal, ECO, Slippery, and Off-Road. Some trims have a High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system for increased control on challenging terrain.
The incredible Badlands model, for example, comes with a HOSS 2.0 off-road suspension, with a HOSS 3.0 system available; the Badlands also has an advanced 4×4 system with a Twin-Clutch Rear Drive Unit and seven G.O.A.T. Modes including Rally mode for sandy terrain and Rock Crawl for the most challenging situations. You can even get advanced off-road tech like Ford Trail Control, which handles acceleration and braking so you can focus on steering, or Trail 1-Pedal Driving, which lets you use a single pedal at low speeds.
The Crosstrek Offers Limited Off-Roading Features
Regarding off-road features, the Subaru Crosstrek does not even come close, especially when you look at its standard model. Subaru provides Symmetrical AWD standard, which is better than rear-wheel drive for going off-road, but we much prefer the feel of a full 4×4 system. There is an X-Mode system that optimizes engine output to enhance driving in different kinds of conditions, but it is best for rain and light snow rather than hitting the trail. A Dual-Function X-Mode system is available that has settings for Deep Snow/Mud, but it is only offered on select models like the Wilderness trim. Speaking of which, the Wilderness is the best that Subaru offers for going off-road, with a raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and unique front and rear bumpers, but it still cannot compete with the Bronco Sport.
Interior Features
The Bronco Sport Has a Variety of Great Standard and Available Features
As much as we love good looks on the outside and great overall engineering, when it comes to your next vehicle, it is fair to say that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Ford understands this, which is why the 2025 Bronco Sport’s cabin is better than ever. Standard features include cloth seating that is comfortable and easy to clean, a six-speaker sound system, an incredible 13.2-inch SYNC 4 Infotainment system, and a stunning 12.3-inch Instrument Panel Cluster. A wireless charging pad is even standard in all models. If you go up to something like the Outer Banks model, then you get premium-trimmed seating, including heated front seats and an eight-way power driver’s seat, while available options include a power moonroof and 10-speaker B&O sound system with a subwoofer for an incredible audio experience.
The Crosstrek’s Underwhelming Set of Features
Looking at the 2025 Crosstrek, it falls behind in just about every way and never catches up. Subaru provides a pair of seven-inch displays as the standard infotainment system, which works but feels a bit strange; the available 11.6-inch multimedia screen is better but still comes up short of what comes standard in the Bronco Sport. Similarly, a 4.2-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster is wildly underwhelming compared to what Ford provides. The standard cloth seating is comfortable enough, and higher trims include leather-trimmed seating or StarTex water-repellent upholstery, which is good for weekend camping trips. We have to say that the standard four-speaker sound system is not great; the available Harman Kardon audio system thankfully improves on it to provide a good overall experience—just not as good as what Ford delivers.
Check Out the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport With Us Today
We would never say the Subaru Crosstrek is a bad SUV; in fact, there are plenty of things about it that we like, and we know Subaru makes fine vehicles. At the end of the day, however, it cannot keep up with the Bronco Sport and everything that Ford offers for it. Whether you are looking for sporty performance and excellent handling, advanced features for going off-road, or you want a refined and sophisticated interior, Ford has you covered. When the Bronco made its return after so many years away, we were excited; when we saw it was being joined by a smaller option to give drivers more great ways to enjoy a Bronco, we were overjoyed. The Bronco Sport delivers everything we could have wanted in an adventurous subcompact SUV and then some, creating a bold option for drivers who demand more.
If that sounds like something you want to enjoy each day, then we are here at DePaula Ford to help you find everything you have been looking for. With five different Bronco Sport models available, including the gorgeously distinct Free Wheeling trim, it is important that you shop at a dealership with friendly people who are ready to help you find everything you need. That is precisely what you will find with us because our amazing team is ready to answer all of your questions, help you explore different Ford models, and make sure you drive away in something you love. This is the difference that choosing the right dealership makes. Call or come visit us at DePaula Ford to experience this for yourself and discover a better way to shop for your SUV.
