For U.S. vehicles; figures from Ford's 2026 Bronco Sport page and its Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands pages, checked November 4, 2026. Verify older or newer model years separately.

The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport is rated to tow up to 2,200 lb on the 1.5L trims (Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks) and up to 2,700 lb on the Badlands, which has the 2.0L engine. Ford ties the 2,200 lb figure to the Class II Trailer Tow Package, which is optional on the 1.5L trims and standard on the Badlands. That is enough for a small utility trailer, a couple of motorcycles or a light pop-up camper only if the loaded weights really fit, and it is well below what the full-size Ford Bronco or a three-row SUV is rated to pull.

2026 Bronco Sport towing capacity by trim

Trim Engine Drivetrain Maximum towing Tow package
Big Bend 1.5L EcoBoost, 180 hp / 200 lb-ft Standard 4x4 2,200 lb Class II Trailer Tow Package (optional)
Heritage 1.5L EcoBoost Standard 4x4 2,200 lb Class II Trailer Tow Package (optional)
Outer Banks 1.5L EcoBoost, 180 hp / 200 lb-ft Standard 4x4; Advanced 4x4 with the Sasquatch package 2,200 lb Class II Trailer Tow Package (optional)
Badlands 2.0L EcoBoost, 250 hp / 280 lb-ft Standard Advanced 4x4 2,700 lb Class II Trailer Tow Package (standard)

The trim table comes from Ford's model page; engine figures and package details come from the Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands pages. Ford's pages mark the towing numbers with a footnote, but the footnote text was not readable in the content we reviewed. We therefore do not state Ford's exact fine print. Treat the numbers as maximums for a properly equipped vehicle and confirm them in the owner's manual.

1.5L vs 2.0L: why the Badlands tows more

The Badlands is the only 2026 Bronco Sport with the 2.0L EcoBoost, which Ford's page lists at 250 hp at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. The 1.5L three-cylinder EcoBoost on the other trims is listed at 180 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. Ford notes its horsepower and torque ratings are based on premium fuel under the SAE J1349 standard, and that the peak numbers may not be achieved at the same time.

The extra 500 lb of rating comes with a fuel economy trade-off. Ford's spec table lists the 1.5L trims at 25 city / 30 highway mpg and the Badlands at 21 / 27. SUVLook's 2026 Bronco Sport profile also records 25 / 30 / 27 combined mpg for the 1.5L and 21 / 27 / 23 mpg for the 2.0L, plus a 23 / 26 / 24 mpg figure for the 1.5L with Sasquatch. If you tow occasionally, a lower trailer weight and a small difference in rating may matter less than daily mileage.

The Class II Trailer Tow Package

Ford's Big Bend and Outer Banks pages list the Class II Trailer Tow Package, including trailer sway control, as an optional package. The Badlands page lists it as standard. The Big Bend page calls the 2,200 lb figure an "available" towing capacity, which means a 1.5L Bronco Sport built without the package may not carry that rating.

That is the single biggest check for a used or in-stock vehicle. Do not assume a Bronco Sport can tow 2,200 lb because the trim name appears on a listing. Look for the tow package on the window sticker or build sheet, and have a qualified installer confirm the hitch, wiring and any trailer-brake needs against the owner's manual. We do not provide installation steps here.

What 2,200 lb means in practice

A rating is a ceiling on the loaded trailer, not the trailer's advertised dry weight. Water, propane, batteries, gear and cargo all count. Boat owners should count the trailer, motor, fuel and gear, not just the hull. Weigh the loaded setup if possible and compare it with the rating for your trim.

Ford's pages did not list tongue weight or a payload figure for the Bronco Sport in the content we read, so we do not give one. The tongue weight presses on the SUV's hitch and, with passengers and luggage, uses up its carrying capacity; the label on your own vehicle and the manual are the right references. For comparison, Ford's Expedition spec sheet notes that maximum towing varies with cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers, and the same logic applies to any vehicle.

In plain terms, the Bronco Sport suits very light trailers: small utility trailers, light cargo haulers and similar. A typical family camper, a mid-size boat or a heavy car trailer is likely to exceed 2,200 or 2,700 lb once loaded, so check the numbers before you shop for the trailer, not after.

How the Bronco Sport compares with rivals

Published maximum towing figures in SUVLook's profiles for other 2026 compact SUVs, with the manufacturer-stated condition:

2026 SUV Published towing Condition
Ford Bronco Sport 2,200 lb (1.5L); 2,700 lb (Badlands) With the Class II package (Ford)
Subaru Forester 1,500 lb most trims; 3,500 lb Wilderness Properly equipped (Subaru)
Subaru Crosstrek 1,500 lb most trims; 3,500 lb Wilderness Per trim (Subaru)
Honda CR-V 1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybrid By powertrain (Honda)
Toyota RAV4 3,500 lb on specified AWD hybrid/PHEV grades; 1,750 lb on FWD and LE AWD By grade (Toyota)
Mazda CX-50 2,000 lb gas; 1,500 lb hybrid By powertrain (Mazda)

These come from SUVLook's Forester, Crosstrek, CR-V, RAV4 and CX-50 profiles. The Bronco Sport's 2,200 lb sits above the CR-V, CX-50 and most Forester and Crosstrek trims. The Badlands' 2,700 lb is between those and the 3,500 lb of Wilderness and specified RAV4 grades. If towing is a top priority in a compact SUV, those higher-rated trims are worth shopping alongside it. See SUVLook's full SUV towing capacity chart.

Bronco Sport or full-size Bronco?

The Bronco Sport is a compact crossover; the Bronco is a separate, larger body-on-frame model. If your trailer is heavier than the figures above, the two are not interchangeable, and you should check the Bronco's own towing rating on Ford's pages rather than assuming it from the name. Our Bronco vs Bronco Sport comparison covers the size, price, cargo and towing differences, and the Ford SUV size guide places both in Ford's lineup.

Before you tow

  1. Confirm the model year, trim, engine and whether the Class II package is installed.
  2. Weigh the loaded trailer and measure tongue weight.
  3. Compare both with the owner's manual and the door-jamb label.
  4. Allow for passengers and luggage, which share the vehicle's carrying capacity.

Related SUVLook research

Frequently asked questions

What is the Bronco Sport towing capacity?

Ford lists 2,200 lb for Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks (1.5L), and 2,700 lb for the Badlands (2.0L).

Is the tow package standard?

Ford lists the Class II Trailer Tow Package as optional on the 1.5L trims we reviewed and standard on the Badlands.

Can a Bronco Sport tow a camper?

Only a very light one, and only if its loaded weight is below the rating for your trim, with the package fitted.

Does 4x4 change the rating?

Ford lists 4x4 as standard on every 2026 Bronco Sport. The published ratings differ by trim and engine, not drivetrain.

Has SUVLook tested these figures?

No. They are manufacturer-published; comparisons and checklists are editorial.