Shoppers comparing SUVs often want something that handles daily errands and still has real capability when the pavement ends. The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport answers with standard 4×4 on every trim, a 13.2-inch center display, and better EPA-estimated gas fuel economy than the gas-powered 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe with all-wheel drive. Drivers around Shelbyville can weigh those numbers below, along with how each SUV stacks up on performance, interior space, and technology. With everything side by side, we think most local shoppers will lean toward the Bronco Sport sitting in our Bronco Sport inventory.
| Features |
2026 Ford Bronco Sport |
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Standard 4×4 on every trim | Available HTRAC AWD |
| Center Display | 13.2-inch standard | 12.3-inch touchscreen |
| EPA-Estimated MPG (Gas, 4×4/AWD) | 25 city / 30 hwy / 27 combined (1.5L) | 20 city / 28 hwy / 23 combined |
| Off-Road Trim EPA-Estimated MPG | Badlands, 21 city / 27 hwy / 23 combined | XRT, 19 city / 25 hwy / 21 combined |
| Gas Engine Choices | 1.5L EcoBoost or 2.0L EcoBoost | 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Off-Road Trim | Badlands with Advanced 4×4 and seven G.O.A.T. Modes | XRT with AWD |
| Heated Front Seats | Outer Banks and Badlands, plus heated steering wheel | SEL and above |
Every 2026 Bronco Sport comes with 4×4, while HTRAC all-wheel drive is an available option on the 2026 Santa Fe. The Bronco Sport’s 1.5L EcoBoost makes 180 horsepower and earns EPA-estimated 25 city, 30 highway, and 27 combined mpg, compared with 20 city, 28 highway, and 23 combined for the gas Santa Fe with AWD. Buyers who want more power can choose the Badlands and its 250-horsepower 2.0L EcoBoost, which posts 23 combined mpg against 21 for the Santa Fe XRT. The Badlands, profiled in our Bronco Sport model research, also adds seven G.O.A.T. Modes, including Rock Crawl and Rally, plus up to 2,700 pounds of towing.
The Bronco Sport’s cabin is built for people who actually use their SUV outdoors. Big Bend models come with easy-to-clean cloth, the Badlands gets perforated ActiveX-trimmed seats, and rubberized cargo flooring is available for muddy gear. Behind the first row, 1.5L models offer 65.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with 32.5 cubic feet behind the second row. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel come on the Outer Banks and Badlands, while the Santa Fe offers heated front seats from the SEL trim up. Many buyers also want to know what their current vehicle is worth, and our online trade value tool gives you that number before you come in.
Every 2026 Bronco Sport gets a 13.2-inch center display running SYNC 4 with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 2026 Santa Fe uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Ford also delivers software updates over the air, and the available 360-Degree Camera with Trail View adds width-accurate tire overlays for tight trails. Available Ford Co-Pilot360 features include Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering. After the sale, Mobile Service from Oxmoor Ford can come to your location for qualifying maintenance and repair work.
Standard 4×4, a bigger screen, and better gas fuel economy give the 2026 Bronco Sport a clear edge over the 2026 Santa Fe for drivers who want capability without giving up efficiency. Every new Bronco Sport also carries Ford’s 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. You can finance or lease a new Bronco Sport at Oxmoor Ford, and we work to make the process quick and hassle-free for good, bad, and no-credit buyers. Shoppers in Jeffersontown and Elizabethtown can apply for financing online before they visit, and our Pickup and Delivery service handles drop-off and return when you cannot bring your SUV in for maintenance.
