Packing Nineties Land Rover vibes with plenty of packaging smarts, Bronco Sport looks like a winner.

Today, there's no more overcrowded a new-vehicle segment than today's small crossover SUV marketplace. These things are all but compulsory with new driver's licenses. These soft-roader models are actually quite adept at the daily grind, but very few stand out, and precious fewer still bring a speck of emotion or fun to the table. Ford's product planners seem to understand this. As proof, you're looking at the second part of the company's two-model strategy to stand out in this sea of sameness. This is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, the unibody kid brother to the square-jawed big Bronco, which also debuted on Monday. 

Regardless of this model's nameplate ties to Ford's new 4x4 bruiser, the new Bronco Sport actually shares most of its DNA with the latest Escape. The latter is part one of the Dearborn company's two-pronged attack on the small SUV segment. While the Escape features a streamlined, city-slicker vibe, this Bronco Sport pays significantly more than lip service to weekend adventuring off the beaten path, and in doing so, it endeavors to make a claim to Ford's legendary Bronco name. 

This SUV's inner off-road spirit is ably conveyed by the model's purposeful looks. Like its brawnier big sibling, the Bronco Sport features a simple, historically aware front graphic with one-piece grille, round headlamps, peaked fenders and https://set-magazine.com/best-one-piece-toilets/ clean bodysides that use a modest swage line to break up the surfacing. A stepped roofline not only helps provide better rear-seat headroom (while giving off '90s Land Rover Freelander vibes), it also allows for two mountain bikes to fit inside with the rear seats flopped down. You'll need to take off the front wheel, but an available factory-authorized Yakima rack will let you lock your pricy two-wheelers away safely in the cargo hold instead of lashing them to the roof. 

Bronco Sport is basecamp ready

In fact, the cargo area seems like one of the Bronco Sport's most creative and unique spaces. There are available LED spotlights in the liftgate (which itself includes flip-out glass), along with towel-bar-like handles for drying gear. There's a 400-watt power inverter available and a bottle opener, making Bronco Sport a perfect hub for camping. The pièce de résistance? An adjustable, multilevel load floor with a slide-out table provision. It's clever stuff.

What's more, Ford worked with the aftermarket to launch the 2021 Bronco Sport with upward of 100 accessories, and the automaker itself will offer bundled accessory packages centered around four outdoorsy themes, including Biking, Snow, Water and Camping.

As for the rest of the cabin, it's pretty typical stuff, although the dashboard is nicely differentiated from the sleeker Escape, with its own form. Other thoughtful touches include rear under-seat storage and an available Molle strap system on the front seatbacks for securing things like flashlights and pouches.