2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the adventurous spirit, capturing the essence of its larger sibling, the Bronco, with a modern retro design. It featured a frameless crossover build, making it more suitable for urban environments while still appealing to weekend adventurers. The Bronco Sport's exterior design was characterized by its short front overhang, tall fender wells, and minimal adornments, all of which contributed to its off-road capabilities. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector, providing a blend of functionality and style.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice for families, offering a spacious and comfortable interior with three rows of seating. While its exterior design was not particularly striking, the Pacifica Hybrid excelled in utility and efficiency. The interior featured quality materials, such as black Nappa leather, and was equipped with modern conveniences like triple-zone climate control and a heated steering wheel. The Pacifica Hybrid's design focused on comfort and practicality, with ample storage options and a user-friendly layout. Despite its minivan appearance, it provided a unique plug-in hybrid powertrain, making it an efficient choice for transporting people and cargo.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, catering to different trim levels. 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 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 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, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, while maintaining good on-road manners.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, resulting in a total system output of 260 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain allowed for an electric-only range of up to 51 kilometres, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The Pacifica Hybrid's regenerative braking system contributed to an impressive average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. While the driving experience was not particularly exciting, the powertrain's seamless transition between electric and gasoline modes was noteworthy. The Pacifica Hybrid's performance was characterized by its efficiency and practicality, making it a suitable choice for families seeking a plug-in hybrid minivan.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its versatile cargo space, capable of accommodating two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered a range of accessories to support outdoor activities, and the roof could hold up to 68 kilograms. The Bronco Sport's cargo area featured clever design elements, such as a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package. However, some drivers found the driving position challenging, particularly in terms of visibility.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seating and ample cargo space. The interior was equipped with features like triple-zone climate control, quality leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. Storage options were abundant, with various compartments and bins throughout the cabin. The second-row seats were more comfortable than those in a standard Pacifica, and the third-row seat provided reasonable comfort for passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid offered a generous 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, which expanded to 2,477 litres with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats created a massive 3,978-litre cargo area, although this process was not as convenient as in some SUVs.

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 drive modes, enhancing the Bronco Sport's off-road capabilities. Intelligent access with push-button start and a digital instrument panel were available on select trims.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the FamCam overhead camera system. The system allowed for multiple user profiles and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV. A surround-view camera system and parking assist were also available, enhancing convenience and safety.

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 a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive package of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. However, it lacked a lane-centring assist function. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.