When I was a little kid, sometime around 1980, my dad bought me a Hot Wheels Ford Bronco with red, orange, gold, and yellow stripes down the side.  I learned later it was a miniature version of the “Free Wheeling Edition” Bronco, F-Series pickups, and Econoline vans aimed at the era’s young drivers.  Trying to instill a little nostalgia and fun for today’s kids, Ford tries again with the 2024 Bronco Sport Free Wheeling.

My neighbor thought it looked silly.

He couldn’t miss colored stripes across the hood and down the sides, but I gave him the history lesson.  Channeling the old Free Wheeling editions from 45 years ago, the latest one comes with yellow, red, and orange graphics, 17” black wheels with red-painted inserts, silver metal-look grille, and BRONCO applied to the front doors.  There’s a little silver bronco on the hood in case you missed the rest of its bucking color scheme.

Your kids may not embrace your whimsey when you roll up to drop them off at school in that sunbright brickhouse.  Definitely gets attention, but the trip to the past meets tomorrow inside.

Sunset weave cloth adds yellow, orange, red, and brown stripes to gray canvas.  Check the orange, yellow, and red stitching throughout the cabin too.  Red trim on the dash and doors may glow-up too far.  More sensible, owners also get rubberized floor mats, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats.  Devices connect via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the super-simple infotainment screen with actual volume and tuning knobs.  Charge wirelessly too.  I’d like a sunroof, but the interior is plenty bright already.

Ride safe with Ford’s Co-pilot 360 Assist+ system that includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise with lane centering, blind spot warning, rear cross path detection, and evasive steering assist.

Forget big V8 engines from the past as the Bronco Sport makes steam with a 1.5-liter turbocharged “EcoBoost” three-cylinder engine – put to the road through an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive.  Given the engines size and cylinder count, it puts out a healthy 181 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque – on par with those big engines from 45 years ago.  It is plenty peppy to get down the road, either towing 2,000 lbs. or achieving 25/29-MPG city/highway.

Compare that to under 15-MPG for the old Broncos.

I like the Bronco Sport.  Creating a compact crossover that looks like the tough truck-based Broncos, but with a compliant four-wheel-independent suspension, quick steering, and tight dimensions makes for a very practical daily driver that flaunts ambient heritage.  And, if you want to find a trail to a favorite fishing spot or get over winter muck, click through G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) to adjust the powertrain for Sand, Slippery, Sport, Eco and Normal.

Think back to 1979.  The Bronco was a full-size SUV, based on the F-Series pickup.  The Bronco Sport couldn’t be more different.  It’s the right vehicle for our time.  It’s definitely polarizing, so if you don’t like the bright graphics, you can always get a Bronco Sport in boring colors like Desert Sand or Shadow Black.  I won’t judge.

It isn’t the cheapest crossover available, but our bright little friend is reasonably affordable.  Base Bronco Sports start at $29,795, but came to a loftier $37,695 ready for Free Wheeling.  Competitors include the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Compass, and Chevy Trailblazer.

Storm Forward!

Send comments to Casey at [email protected]; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.