2026 Ford Bronco Sport Off-Road Packages: Badlands vs. Outer Banks Sasquatch for Ontario off-road Trails

Ontario's trail network covers a lot of ground — from the packed gravel of Simcoe County forest roads to the rutted cottage lanes north of Muskoka. For drivers who spend their weekends on those routes, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport offers two Sasquatch-equipped configurations worth comparing: the Badlands with its standard Sasquatch package upgrade and the Outer Banks with the available Sasquatch Outer Banks Package. Both build on the Bronco Sport's standard 4x4 system, but they serve different types of off-road driving.

Choosing between them means understanding what each package actually adds — and where one pulls ahead of the other. This guide breaks down the hardware, the drive modes, the towing numbers, and the on-trail tools so you can match the right Bronco Sport to the terrain you actually drive in Ontario.

At a Glance: Badlands Sasquatch vs. Outer Banks Sasquatch

Engine and Drivetrain Differences

The Badlands is the only Bronco Sport trim that comes standard with the 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine. This unit produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque — a meaningful step up from the 1.5L EcoBoost in the Outer Banks, which delivers 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft. On steep, loose-surface inclines — the kind common on Muskoka-area cottage roads after spring thaw — that extra torque makes a noticeable difference when climbing with a loaded cargo area.

The drivetrain split matters, too. The Badlands pairs its engine with the Advanced 4x4 system featuring a Twin-Clutch Rear Drive Unit. This system can send torque to a single rear wheel, even when the other three have no traction. For uneven, rocky surfaces, that level of torque distribution is a practical advantage. The Outer Banks Sasquatch Package takes a different approach, pairing its 1.5L engine with HOSS 2.0 (High-performance Off-road Stability Suspension), which focuses on ride quality and body control over rougher terrain rather than individual wheel torque management.

G.O.A.T. Modes: Five vs. Seven

Every 2026 Bronco Sport includes five G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain): Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Off-Road. The Badlands adds two more — Rock Crawl and Rally — bringing its total to seven.

Rock Crawl is the mode that matters most for Ontario trail driving. It adjusts throttle mapping, traction control, and the stability system to handle slow, precise crawling over rocks, roots, and deep ruts. Rally, on the other hand, loosens the stability system for faster runs on loose gravel or hard-packed dirt. Both modes are exclusive to the Badlands and unavailable on any other Bronco Sport trim.

For drivers who stick to well-maintained gravel roads and moderate cottage trails, the five standard modes on the Outer Banks Sasquatch are likely enough. If your trails include steep, uneven terrain or require precise low-speed wheel placement, Rock Crawl on the Badlands is a meaningful capability advantage.

Suspension and Underbody Protection

The Badlands comes standard with a steel-plated front bumper and underbody protection, designed to shield critical components on rocky or debris-strewn trails. Add the Sasquatch Badlands Package and you gain Bilstein rear shocks — a performance damper brand known for consistent off-road response across a range of terrain types.

The Outer Banks Sasquatch Package takes the HOSS 2.0 route. This suspension system prioritizes stable, composed handling on washboard gravel and uneven forest roads. It improves body control and reduces the jarring that comes from repeated hits on rough surfaces. Premium-trimmed heated front seats and a heated steering wheel also come standard on the Outer Banks, making it the more comfort-oriented option for cooler Ontario mornings.

• Badlands Sasquatch: Steel underbody protection + Bilstein rear shocks — built for slower, technical trails
• Outer Banks Sasquatch: HOSS 2.0 suspension — built for rough but faster-paced gravel and forest roads
• Both trims: Standard 4x4, recovery hooks (available), and Ford Trail Control with 1-Pedal Driving (available)

Towing and Cargo Practicality

When equipped with the available Class II Trailer Tow Package, the Badlands can tow up to 2,700 lbs — enough for a small utility trailer or a pair of personal watercraft. The Outer Banks tops out at 2,200 lbs with the same package. Neither figure competes with full-size trucks, but for hauling gear to a campsite or dragging a small boat to a lake launch, both configurations handle the job.

Cargo space is shared across Bronco Sport trims, with the safari-style roof providing generous headroom. The rubberized cargo area flooring is available on both, and the liftgate with adjustable floodlights makes unloading at a dark campsite straightforward. Fender tie-downs rated for up to 150 lbs are available on both trims for securing rooftop gear like kayaks or camping equipment.

Trail Tech and Safety

Both Sasquatch configurations benefit from the 2026 Bronco Sport's updated tech package. The new-for-2026, 13.2-inch touchscreen is the largest in its class and runs SYNC 4 with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel — inspired by the full-size Bronco Raptor — displays vehicle data with clear LCD graphics.

The available 360-Degree Camera includes a class-exclusive Trail View that activates in Off-Road and Rally G.O.A.T. Modes, displaying width-accurate tire overlays so you can see where your wheels are relative to obstacles. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is standard, adding Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane-Keeping System.

Which Configuration Fits Your Ontario Trails?

The choice between Badlands Sasquatch and Outer Banks Sasquatch comes down to how technical your trails actually get. If your weekend driving involves moderate gravel roads, seasonal cottage access, and occasional unpaved detours, the Outer Banks Sasquatch Package gives you solid suspension composure with HOSS 2.0, heated comfort features, and enough off-road hardware for those conditions.

If your trails include rock-strewn paths, steep grades with loose surfaces, or terrain where individual wheel torque control makes the difference between making it through and getting stuck, the Badlands Sasquatch is the stronger choice. The 2.0L EcoBoost engine, Twin-Clutch Rear Drive Unit, Rock Crawl mode, and steel underbody protection add up to a more capable package for demanding conditions.

Explore the Bronco Sport Lineup at Trillium Ford

Both the Badlands and Outer Banks are available to test at Trillium Ford in Alliston. Our team can walk you through the full 2026 Bronco Sport lineup and help match the right configuration to the terrain you drive most. Book a test drive to experience the difference on the road.