2021 Lexus GX vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, drawing inspiration from the classic 1966-1996 Bronco. It was designed as a unibody crossover, offering a modern retro aesthetic that was reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup. The Bronco Sport featured a short front overhang for optimal approach angles and a rear design that echoed its larger counterpart. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a subtle "SPORT" postscript. The SUV's wheels varied by model, with options to upgrade for enhanced off-road capability. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim improved with each model, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed seats.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates over the years, including the Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's styling was coherent despite its origins, with a massive grille that contributed to its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite this, the GX offered standard semi-aniline leather, maintaining some level of luxury.

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

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine, generating 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's weight of 2,349 kg affected its performance, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and various off-road modes. The GX offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kg, with stability control including trailer-sway control.

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 kg, and the vehicle could tow up to 997 kg with the 2.0-litre engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and optional cargo management package. The front cabin offered ample storage, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior reflected its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage was limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX offered three rows of seating, but the third row was best for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited with the third row up, and overall cargo capacity was less than competitors.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available. The terrain management system offered various drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included in most trims, with a digital instrument panel available in higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered standard Bluetooth and USB ports for the first two rows, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The infotainment system was outdated, with basic graphics and limited functions. However, analog controls were available for most functions, providing a straightforward interface.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other features. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus models. The GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.