2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross
When it comes to a small SUV, there are a lot of options out there for you to choose from, although they are not all built equally. For example, looking at the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross, it is clear that Ford has gone above and beyond to deliver an incredible subcompact SUV with a host of remarkable features and options. Although the Corolla Cross does have good fuel efficiency, the Bronco Sport delivers a more exceptional driving experience thanks to features like standard four-wheel drive (4×4) and its Goes Over Any Type of Terrain (G.O.A.T.) Modes. The result is an SUV that is far beyond the ordinary, with incredible performance and exciting features to enjoy.
Speaking of performance, both of these SUVs have two engines available, but they are very different from each other. The standard 180-hp 1.5L engine of the Bronco Sport is a great choice and surpasses the standard 169-hp engine of the Toyota Corolla Cross. What’s more, the available 196-hp engine from Toyota does not come close to the kind of performance you get from Ford and the 250-hp engine available for the Bronco Sport. This ensures you have a great time on the road each day, with plenty of power to get you to your favorite campsite on the weekend—plus you get superior towing capabilities with the Bronco Sport too. As you might imagine, Ford’s SUV (as part of the Bronco lineup) delivers exceptional off-road performance that Toyota cannot come close to with the Corolla Cross.
As we said, you get 4×4 standard with the Bronco Sport, five G.O.A.T. Modes, and available all-terrain tires. Going with the Badlands trim takes things even further with two more G.O.A.T. Modes, steel-plated underbody protection, and an available Sasquatch package. Toyota offers all-wheel drive for the Corolla Cross, and 18-inch wheels are available, but overall, it lacks any adventurous features or options. Looking inside, you also get superior features with the Ford Bronco Sport, including a standard 13.2-inch infotainment system, 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, and more. The eight-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display is quite small by comparison, without any option for something larger, along with a 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) for the driver that is underwhelming.
| 2025 Ford Bronco Sport | VS | 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| $31,695 [a] | MSRP | $24,135 |
| 250 | Horsepower | 196 |
| 65.2 cu.ft. | Cargo Space | 46.9 cu.ft. |
| 13.2 in. | Screen Size | 8 in. |
Performance and Engineering
Some people might think that big performance only matters with a sports car or truck, but we think that every vehicle should be fun to drive as you get where you need to go each day. Ford seems to agree with us, and they have an incredible legacy that includes more than a century of making remarkable vehicles that feel great on the road. These two subcompact SUVs have standard engines that are pretty similar, but there are notable distinctions in how they handle overall. Once you look at their available powertrains, the differences become much starker.
Standard Engines and Transmission
To start with, the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is powered by a standard 1.5L EcoBoost turbocharged engine that provides 180 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross comes with a standard 2.0L I-4 engine that offers 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. You can see that the difference in horsepower is notable, but the contrast is much more distinct when it comes to torque, ensuring that the Bronco Sport feels better on the road.
Moreover, the Corolla Cross features a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Bronco Sport has an eight-speed automatic that we much prefer over the feel of a CVT. Plus, the Bronco Sport with its standard engine can handle 2,200 lbs of maximum towing, while the Corolla Cross tops out at 1,500 lbs, falling behind Ford’s offering.
Optional Engines
The difference between these two SUVs becomes far more pronounced when you look at their available engines. Toyota offers a 2.0L hybrid engine that boosts performance a bit to 196 hp but focuses more on fuel efficiency.
The available 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 engine of the Bronco Sport Badlands trim delivers an incredible 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, ensuring you have an amazing experience every time you get behind the wheel. This is also excellent power for leaving roads behind and hitting the trail, providing you with an experience that no Corolla Cross model comes close to.
Off-Road Capabilities
Speaking of hitting the trail, if you are interested in going off-road or simply want a small SUV that is perfect for outdoor adventures, then the Ford Bronco Sport is an incredible choice. Every Bronco Sport comes with 4×4 engineering, ensuring it can maintain traction and keep you in control in all kinds of road (and off-road) conditions.
The Bronco Sport Offers Standard 4×4 Performance
The Corolla Cross comes with standard front-wheel drive (FWD), which is fine, and has all-wheel drive (AWD) available. For a simple, daily driver, FWD can be sufficient, but it can also lose control easily on wet roads or on snow and slush; AWD is better, but it is still not as impressive as the standard 4×4 system provided by Ford with the 2025 Bronco Sport.
The Corolla Cross Lacks Off-Road Prowess
Where the Corolla Cross really falls short, however, is with its available options for heading off-road, or more appropriately, its lack of options. Simply put, there is no strong choice for a Corolla Cross model to use on the trail or even for heading to your favorite campsite.
The XLE model with AWD is decent since it replaces the standard 17-inch wheels with 18-inch wheels, but you are still looking at basic all-season tires. Toyota knows how to make some good off-road features, and you can find them on some of their other SUVs with TRD Off-Road trims, but the lack of TRD options for the Corolla Cross is ultimately disappointing.
The Bronco Sport Is Ready for Adventure
The Ford Bronco Sport, on the other hand, was designed from the wheels up to be an off-road beast that is always ready to hit the trail. Standard features include 17-inch wheels and all-season tires, but all-terrain tires are available even for the starting model. A High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) 1.0 system is standard for the Bronco Sport, ensuring you have a comfortable ride that can handle rugged terrain.
If you want to take off-road performance to the next level, then check out the Outer Banks trim with its available Goodyear Territory all-terrain tires or the Badlands model that features an Advanced 4×4 system with a twin-clutch rear drive unit. The available Sasquatch package takes things even further with an upgraded HOSS system, Bilstein shocks, and much more to create the ultimate off-road machine.
Interior Features and Space
No matter what else you are interested in, we always suggest taking a good look at the features inside a vehicle to see what your driving experience will actually be each day. The 2025 Corolla Cross has an interior that is fine, but far from impressive for the modern auto industry.
The Corolla Cross Offers a Lackluster Interior Experience
An eight-inch infotainment display and a 4.2-inch MID for the driver are quite underwhelming, although the standard six-speaker sound system and six-way driver’s seat are good. Higher trims like the Hybrid XSE offer some upgrades like a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and automatic dual-zone air conditioning, but a seven-inch digital gauge cluster is the best that Toyota has to offer for this SUV. Cargo space inside the Corolla Cross depends on the engine and performance chosen, but the best it offers is 19.6 cu.ft of rear cargo volume and 46.9 cu.ft. of total cargo room behind the front seats.
The Bronco Sport Is Packed With Must-Have Features and Ample Cabin Space
Looking at the 2025 Bronco Sport, we find a wildly different interior, starting with a standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system and a 12.3-inch instrument panel cluster—again, that is standard in every model. This is joined by other starting features like a six-speaker sound system, a six-way manual driver’s seat, and a wireless charging pad to help you keep devices powered.
Looking at a higher trim like the Outer Banks, we find an eight-way power driver’s seat, a six-way power front-passenger seat, and heated premium-trimmed seating for added comfort. An available 10-speaker B&O sound system elevates your driving experience even further. You get 32.5 cu.ft. of rear cargo space and 65.2 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats in most Bronco Sport models, giving you much more room to load up with everything you need.
Adventure Awaits in the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
As you can see, the Toyota Corolla Cross is a fine SUV with some nice features, but it simply cannot keep up with everything Ford delivers in the Bronco Sport. Whether you are looking for the best performance, great towing to haul a boat behind your SUV, a spacious and beautifully-appointed interior, or rugged off-road capabilities, the Bronco Sport comes out on top again and again. These are only some of the reasons this has become such a popular SUV for Ford and why so many people are clamoring for the Bronco Sport.
If you are ready to see everything this SUV has to offer for yourself, then we are here at DePaula Ford to show you what it can do and make sure you find the right vehicle. Our incredible team of friendly and knowledgeable salespeople will work closely with you to explore the Ford lineup, check out what the Bronco Sport brings to the road (and trail), and make sure you find everything you have been looking for. Even if you are not sure which vehicle is right for you, we will answer all of your questions and help you find something you love. Call or come visit us at DePaula Ford today and let us show you how easy it can be to shop for your next SUV.
