2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the 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 for improved off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's design included tall fender wells and a tucked-in body, minimizing unnecessary adornments for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with various wheel options, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior with a unique HVAC vent design, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor.

The 2022 BMW X3 presented a slightly revised exterior design with a more aggressive stance, featuring a larger kidney grille and adaptive full LED headlights. The rear showcased new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered a range of exterior updates, including an M Sport Package for xDrive30i models, specialized aero wheels, and new paint options. Standard 19-inch gray aluminum-alloy wheels were paired with all-season run-flat tires, with an optional aerodynamically optimized wheel for improved fuel efficiency. The X3's interior was clean and efficient, with available wood trim, power-adjustable front seats, and a variety of seating options. The cabin featured ambient lighting and a redesigned centre console, offering a comfortable and practical environment for occupants.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet 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 with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, while also providing good on-road manners.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters as standard. The xDrive30i model was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds. The X3 M40i offered a more powerful 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, complemented by a mild-hybrid system. The M40i's performance was enhanced by a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, adaptive suspension, and a rear-oriented torque split AWD system. The mild-hybrid system provided additional power during acceleration but did not improve fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of 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 smart features like a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided comfort and practicality with seating for five and ample cargo space. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, allowing for versatile storage options. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with an option to upgrade to Vernasca leather for added softness. The X3's interior offered a multitude of adjustability, though the thigh-support cushion's control handle could be intrusive for some drivers. The redesigned centre console and larger infotainment system improved accessibility and functionality, with push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and audio functions.

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 various G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road assistance through trail control technology. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, along with a digital instrument panel on higher models.

The 2022 BMW X3 came with BMW Live Cockpit Plus featuring a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 5.1-inch colour display instrument panel. Standard features included navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and a 12-speaker HiFi sound system. The optional Live Cockpit Professional offered larger screens and a fully digital experience. The X3's technology package included comfort access keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, and various optional features like a head-up display and gesture control.

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

The 2022 BMW X3 was awarded a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. It featured adaptive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and active blind-spot monitoring. The available parking assistance package added features like a 360-degree camera view and active park distance control. Optional safety features included traffic jam assistance and active lane-keep assist.