2021 Nissan Armada vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, capturing the rugged spirit of its predecessor while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs designed for optimal off-road angles. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, enhancing both its look and off-road capability. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a focus on functionality and convenience, including an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector.

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its design with Nissan's new signature look while retaining its traditional robust styling. The exterior updates included a new grille, bumpers, and LED lighting, giving it a modern appearance. The Armada's body-on-frame construction and standard features like body-colour over fenders and roof rails emphasized its athletic build. Wheel options included 20- and 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and a full-size spare was standard in Canada. The interior, while spacious, felt dated despite tech upgrades, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and available captain's chairs in the second row. The Armada's design choices, such as rouched door panel materials, detracted from its overall aesthetic.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options: a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque for the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque for the Badlands model. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, 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, while maintaining good on-road manners.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Armada's automatic four-wheel drive and robust construction made it a capable off-roader, with features like a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 centimetres of ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with high consumption figures for city and highway driving. The Armada's handling improved with each revision, but its size made maneuvering in tight spaces challenging. It boasted a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and towing capacities varied between 907 and 997 kilograms depending on the engine. The cargo area included smart features like a flip-up rear glass and optional cargo management package. The interior offered ample storage, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2021 Nissan Armada provided practicality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The interior was spacious, with a broad dashboard and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Front seats were power-adjustable, and the Platinum trim offered second-row captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. Cargo space was adequate but below average for the segment, with a high load floor making loading challenging. Small-item storage was limited, though the centre console offered a deep storage bin.

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 on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, and trail control technology assisted off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, with additional features like heated steering wheels and a digital instrument panel available.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Standard tech included a WiFi hotspot, keyless entry, and a wireless charging pad. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment system. The steering wheel provided limited control over the infotainment system, and the analog gauges were functional but lacked sophistication.

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

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. Additional safety technologies included adaptive cruise control and a rear camera mirror. The Armada had a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, with no other ratings available from major safety organizations.