2022 Chevrolet Equinox 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 a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs designed for optimal off-road performance. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The Bronco Sport's wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and the interior was designed with a rugged yet tasteful approach, featuring an uncluttered layout and an 8-inch infotainment screen.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and a sleeker look with bisected headlights. It maintained a car-based crossover design, offering a tall roofline and a puffed-up front fascia. The Equinox's interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the centre, and materials were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior was criticized for being too subdued. Overall, the Equinox aimed for a balance between car-like and SUV-like aesthetics.

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, along with a terrain management system with 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 also providing good on-road manners.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a single 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Equinox had more torque than many rivals but less horsepower, which was noticeable at higher speeds. The engine provided good torque for city driving, but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher rpm. The Equinox's handling was not particularly sporty, and it lacked the refinement of some competitors, though it remained comfortable on rough roads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering cargo space capable of accommodating two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It featured over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 68 kilograms. The 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms, while the 1.5-litre could tow 907 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 offered ample storage, though visibility was a minor issue for taller drivers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five with decent headroom in both rows, though front legroom was slightly lacking. It offered a tall seating position with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. The climate control buttons were prominently placed, and keyless entry and start were standard. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked some of the cargo flexibility found in competitors.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and offered a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system's G.O.A.T. modes provided tailored settings for various conditions, and trail control technology assisted with off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and higher trims offered additional features like a digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The MyLink infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the system covered the basics effectively.

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 features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with traction control. The Bronco Sport received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it was rated "Marginal" in the updated side crash test. It received "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.