2021 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of six trims, each with distinct styling elements. The base LS and popular LT models featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, while the luxurious High Country featured a chrome bar grille and body-colour mirror caps. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights enhancing its look. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels improving its overall appearance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, captured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover designs. Its short front overhang and tall fender wells were tailored for trail driving, while bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate announced its identity. The Bronco Sport's wheels varied by trim, with options to upgrade and upsize. Inside, the cabin featured a rugged yet uncluttered design, with a unique shape for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim progressed from cloth to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with practical storage solutions throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-litre V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the High Country trim featured a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine, available for all trims except the Z71, delivered 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, promising improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a 4WD system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle a payload of 831 kilograms. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands model came with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance providing a drama-free experience. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine in the Badlands trim was better suited to the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console offered convenient storage solutions. The second row could be configured with a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe provided 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin featured ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power and cybersecurity protection. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were hard to access. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, but lacked the available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system included six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, with additional features like heated steering wheels and a digital instrument panel available on higher trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's safety features worked as expected during testing, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. Crash test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes enhanced safety. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.