---
title: "Watch a Stock Ford Bronco Sport Climb Hell’s Gate and Prove That Badge Means Something"
description: "It's an impressive feat, but there was at least one sketchy moment."
date: "2021-04-30"
modified: "2021-04-30"
authors:
  - name: "Peter Holderith"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/peter-holderith"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/40403/watch-a-stock-ford-bronco-sport-climb-hells-gate-and-prove-that-badge-means-something"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Watch This"
tags:
  - "Bronco Sport"
  - "compact"
  - "Ford"
  - "Off-Road"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Watch a Stock Ford Bronco Sport Climb Hell’s Gate and Prove That Badge Means Something

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/04/Screen-Shot-2021-04-30-at-11.36.01-AM.jpeg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Hell's Gate in Moab is a tricky off-road feature known to catch out even the best off-road drivers. Climbing the steep and narrow pass is an achievement for vehicles and drivers alike, and one that not everyone survives unscathed.

It may surprise you, then, that a bone-stock [Bronco Sport](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/34736/2021-ford-bronco-sport-the-28k-baby-bronco-is-built-for-off-roading-too>) was able to get up the narrow pass with little difficulty, as a recent [video](<https://www.instagram.com/loren_healy/?utm_source=ig_embed>) uploaded by pro drifter Vauhn Gittin Jr. shows. To be clear, it's [not the first unmodified Ford to climb the obstacle,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39821/watch-a-stock-ford-super-duty-climb-hells-gate-and-prove-anythings-possible-if-you-believe>) but with off-roaders everywhere curious if the [Baby Bronco is the real deal](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35718/watch-a-stock-2021-ford-bronco-sport-straight-up-wheel-its-way-through-moab>) off-road, this is certainly a win for the crossover.

![message-editor%2F1619797222761-screenshot2021-04-30at11.36.00am.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1619797222761-screenshot2021-04-30at11.36.00am.png>)
**Vaughngittinjr - Instagram**

Now, to be fair, the Bronco Sport here is equipped with the Badlands package, which means 29-inch all-terrain tires and 8.8-inches of ground clearance. So while it is a *stock* Bronco Sport, it's not a base model. Still, though, you can drive this SUV off the showroom floor and take it up Hell's Gate. That's neat. Also, it's being driven by Loren Healy, a professional off-roader and two-time King of the Hammers champion.

The truck didn't make it up the pass without any problems, however, as there was at least one close call where it had two wheels completely off the ground, but it powered through.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COQ5LISBKfF

The Bronco sport can be had in a variety of trims and with two engines, but the only drivetrain available in the Badlands is the [2.0-liter, 245-horsepower inline-four.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40058/tuners-are-already-giving-the-ford-bronco-sport-305-hp-and-burbly-backfires>) It sends power to all four wheels via a relatively advanced AWD system [that can mimic a locking rear differential.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/34736/2021-ford-bronco-sport-the-28k-baby-bronco-is-built-for-off-roading-too>)

Seeing as regular Broncos have yet to be delivered, the smaller Sport is your best bet if you want some off-roading action with a Bronco badge. If you can't tell already, it's pretty capable, despite being based on the Ford Escape. And also, more often than not, off-roading is [a bit easier than people might realize.](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/18144/watch-kia-send-a-brand-new-2019-sorento-up-hells-revenge-trail-in-moab>)

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here**: peter@thedrive.com*

## Author
Peter Holderith is a former staff writer for The Drive. He enjoys covering the regular news cycle, writing reviews, and hunting down long features on obscure pieces of automotive history.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-h-5ba447192/>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/_baldtires>)