I rented one recently and can weigh in on the infotainment system—it’s frustrating. Every time I started the car, it made me agree to terms and conditions for CarPlay. It also wouldn’t stop asking me to set up the 911 assist feature, which I didn’t want. The radio froze a few times and needed a manual reset by holding the power and track buttons.
That said, the car itself was fun to drive. Just a heads-up though—the lane-keep assist was terrible. It felt like it was pulling me into oncoming traffic on a two-lane road. I ended up turning it off.
@Mai
Sounds like there might’ve been electrical issues with that car. Honestly, most infotainment systems aren’t great. I use an iPad mounted in my older vehicle instead, and it’s way easier to update or replace when needed.
Avoid it if you live anywhere with wildlife. Rodents got into my engine bay twice in a month because the wire insulation is soy-based. It’s like leaving food out for them. Ford hasn’t been helpful, and the repairs have been a nightmare.
Toyota had a similar problem in the past, but they’ve moved away from using soy. This isn’t a small issue if squirrels or mice are common where you live.
I wouldn’t recommend it. The 3-cylinder engine doesn’t have the best track record, and there are better options from Japanese brands in the same category.
If it’s the same 1.5L used in the Fiesta ST overseas, it might be reliable. I’ve put 75k km on mine with no problems, and I’ve seen others report over 120k km without major issues. Still, it’s always a gamble.
Haven’t heard anything definitive, but nothing glowing either.
Early rust is common across brands lately. Cars have been sitting unfinished in lots due to supply chain issues, and the coatings they use aren’t meant to last forever. Regular washes and something like Fluid Film can help.
Fit and finish have been hit or miss with Fords post-pandemic. Quality control seems to vary a lot.
Can’t really speak to the other points, but hope this helps!
The Bronco Sport shares its platform and engines with the Escape. If you’re not sold on the off-road style, the Escape might be a better choice—it has more cargo space and a hybrid option.
I leased a 2023 Big Bend, and I like it so far. My only complaint is the cheap-feeling interior. Some of the plastic edges are sharp enough to scratch, which feels a bit lazy in terms of design.
