2022 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, capturing some of the classic styling cues of its larger counterpart. It was designed as a unibody crossover with a focus on urban driving, yet it retained a rugged aesthetic suitable for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro look, reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs to enhance its off-road capabilities. The vehicle's design included tall fender wells and a tucked-in body to minimize snagging on trails, while bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate tied it to its heritage.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco was celebrated for its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities, making it a highly sought-after vehicle. It offered a wide range of trims, including the Everglades and Raptor models, which were designed for extreme off-road conditions. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with features like removable fender flares, a full-size spare tire, and modular construction for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme with marine-grade vinyl upholstery and drain plugs for easy cleaning, while advanced technology like the G.O.A.T. mode dial and a comprehensive camera system enhanced its off-road prowess.

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 with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, while maintaining good on-road manners.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with a base turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with an optional 2.7-litre V6 engine producing 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the two-door model with the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and four-door models. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like a crawl gear in the manual transmission and a two-speed transfer case. It handled challenging terrains with ease, and its on-road performance was superior to rivals like the Jeep Wrangler, offering a smoother ride and better highway stability.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like cargo space engineered to fit two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It had a roof rated to hold up to 68 kilograms and a towing capacity of up to 997 kilograms for the 2.0-litre engine. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass and optional features like a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. However, visibility issues were noted for taller drivers, both on and off-road.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, with ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 1,481 litres with seats folded, and the four-door hard top providing up to 2,197 litres. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, such as accessory rails and stowable doors, enhancing its utility. External mounting points and removable fender flares added to its versatility for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. It offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system on higher trims and a terrain management system with multiple G.O.A.T. modes. Trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading, and intelligent access with push-button start was available on most trims.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. modes and a forward-looking trail camera for better visibility. The Sync 4 infotainment system featured quick responses and off-road apps, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Bronco also offered a Trail Turn Assist feature for sharper turns and a wireless charging pad for convenience.

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 evasive steering assist. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist and trailer sway control, with additional options for advanced systems like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Bronco received high safety scores from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were mixed, with a four-star frontal crash rating and a three-star rollover rating.