2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 designed for optimal off-road performance. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering and minimal Ford branding, emphasizing its unique identity. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet refined interior with a focus on functionality, including an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson presented a fresh design with a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America. Its exterior showcased Hyundai's new design language, with a parametric grille and LED lighting that created a distinctive look. The Tucson's side profile and floating roof design added to its modern appeal. Inside, the Tucson boasted a spacious and well-appointed cabin, with standard stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats and available leather-trimmed options. The dashboard featured horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, enhancing the sense of space.

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, and a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, featuring 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 generous ground clearance, while maintaining good on-road manners.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, offering 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain was the standout, providing more power and efficiency. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road conditions, and the hybrid model offered impressive fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo area capable of holding two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It also had a range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre model could tow up to 997 kilograms. The interior featured ample storage compartments, though some drivers found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson provided a spacious interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, and an eight-way version with lumbar support available on higher trims. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with more passenger volume than competitors like the CR-V and RAV4. The Tucson offered a 1,095-litre cargo space, with a 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor, making it practical for various needs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included multiple drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-road conditions. Higher trims offered additional tech features like a digital instrument panel and heated steering wheel.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The Tucson's tech interface was sleek but required some adjustment due to its touch-sensitive controls. The steering wheel controls were less intuitive, but the system was responsive overall.

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 both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, with standard features like forward collision-avoidance assist and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features were available, including blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Hyundai provided a comprehensive list of safety technologies, comparable to luxury SUVs.