Pittsburgh Man Is Tired of Getting Roasted for Buying a Ford Bronco Sport. Then He Does Something About It

'This is not just an Escape with $5,000 tacked on."

Photo by: Unsplash.com

By: Mustafa Gatollari

Jul 24, 2025 at 9:00am ET

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A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Ford Bronco Sport Badlands owner argued against the idea that the car is effectively a re-badged Escape. Zach (@zk_v10) posted a TikTok highlighting differences between the two cars. He says the Bronco’s off-roading capabilities, along with its suspension and dampeners, interior differences, and a 700-pound capacity roof rack, made the purchase worth it in his estimation. However, there are others who replied to his clip who remain unconvinced.

Bronco Sport: an Escape With a $5,000 Markup?

Zach begins his video speaking directly into the camera as he stands in front of his Ford Bronco Sport. The clip is a reply to one TikToker’s criticism of the Bronco, which reads: “It’s an Escape with +5k tacked on.”

The remark echoes a recurring argument that can be seen online from auto enthusiasts. Many contend that the Ford Bronco Sport is effectively the same vehicle as the Escape with some aesthetic modifications. Indeed, there are those who’ve stated that the Bronco Sport is effectively “based off of” the Escape, like this YouTube account, Bros FOURR Speed.

A Jalopnik article contends that this second-generation, boxier version of the Escape is a dead ringer for the Bronco Sport. The author even went so far as to speculate that the cars share many of the same parts numbers, too. Moreover, they highlighted that the cars share the same starting chime when the car is turned on. Also, the same piece highlights striking similarities between both the Bronco Sport's and Escape’s A-pillars.

Zach addresses these claims in his TikTok, stating that the comparisons between the Escape and Bronco Sport aren’t as valid as some may claim. “So, I’ve heard this a lot. ... But, objectively, this is not just an Escape with $5,000 tacked on,” he remarks.

“So, if we start with the suspension, it has upgraded dampers. It has a lift, obviously to help it with some offroading—light offroading, but still offroading. Also has these off-roading Falken Wildpeak tires that help a lot—all-terrain, but still better than nothing.”

Next, he directs his attention to the center console of his Bronco Sport, which features several driving mode toggle buttons. “And, of course, everything that an Escape would not have. Goat modes, obviously, helps with all sorts of scenarios. The four-wheel drive lock, the rear diff lock, which an Escape does not have. The essentially like a downhill assist control right there and then obviously traction control off,” he says.

More Differences

Next, Zach’s video transitions to him sitting in the backseat of his Bronco Sport. “And then just some added bonuses inside the car as well. Storage here that the Escape won’t have. Molly panels here that an Escape wouldn’t have,” he says, pointing to the back of the driver’s seat in his vehicle.

Afterward, he records himself at the back of the car with its rear hatch lifted up. “You got lights on the hatch as well that the Escape doesn’t have,” Zach relates.

Following this, he aims his camera lens at the back of his Bronco Sport’s cargo area. “All the utility back here—we’ve got hangers. Maybe the Escape has this; I don’t know. Obviously, the all-weather liner back here on the backseats,” he says, pointing to the added coverings in the rear area of the Bronco.

Afterward, he heads back out to the Sport’s exterior, pointing out the “heavy duty rack” on top of the car.

“Supports 700 pounds—Escape will definitely not have that,” he mentions. The biggest difference between the two cars, he remarks, is the motors that power them. “And, of course, the engine alone in this. It’s a 2.0-liter EcoBoost. You have to spend, I think, like 33 grand on an Escape to get that. I paid 34 for this, so just the engine alone kinda makes it worth it,” he tells his viewers.

Bronco: Not Capable?

Closing out his video, Zach rejected the idea that the Bronco Sport’s off-roading capabilities are only skin deep. He references online clips of folks talking the Bronco Sport out for a spin on treacherous-looking trails. Indeed, there is footage of drivers besting rocks and dirt roads in Ford’s off-roader, like this one uploaded to YouTube by TFL Offroad.

Zach says in his TikTok, “There are several videos out there literally driving [the Badlands] against a real Bronco, and this does 95% of what that does. So, for most people in most situations, this thing is actually extremely capable. So, even if it is $5,000 more, which it’s not, totally worth it in my opinion.

Debate In the Comments Section

There were a number of commenters who replied to Zach’s social media post who agreed with his assessment of the Bronco Sport. “Is it a beast? No. Will it handle 90% of what people want to put their daily through? Yep. Not everyone needs or wants the ultimate mountain goat,” one penned.

Another said that the comparisons between the Escape and Bronco Sport have a fundamental misunderstanding of how car platform manufacturing processes work. “People not understanding what a car platform is,” they wrote.

But there were others who disagreed with Zach’s thoughts on the Bronco Sport, like one TikTok user who claimed to work for Ford. “Ford Engineer here, it’s basically an Escape with minimal differences. Sorry to break it to you,” they penned.

Another wrote that Zach made a bad choice getting a Ford Bronco Sport. “Don't try to justify the poor decision you got stuck with,” they penned.

While someone else remarked that all of the features Zach mentioned were just add-ons folks could put on their Escape. “As he said it has 5k of add ons,” they remarked.

What do you think?

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And then there was an additional user on the application who argued that the Escape would’ve been a better buy. “The Escape has more rear legroom, more cargo space, available hybrid and 2.0L EcoBoost powertrains, higher towing capacity, and more features overall,” they wrote.

Motor1 has reached out to Zach via TikTok comment for further information.