2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Lexus RX

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 Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's design was practical, with tall fender wells and minimal adornments to avoid snags on trails. Its bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a 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. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, catering to different preferences.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX continued its legacy of modern and sporty design, with sharp character lines and angular features that were eye-catching yet restrained. The RX offered a range of nine paint options, including the new Grecian Water for F Sport models. The F Sport package enhanced the RX's athletic appearance with 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, and sportier bumpers. Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal, with F Sport models adding sporty touches like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its high-quality materials, the RX's centre stack felt dated, and the driving position was less than ideal, with limited lumbar support and a challenging seat adjustment process.

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 with 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. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, while the 1.5-litre engine felt strained under pressure.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total of 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and sluggish acceleration. The F Sport package included adaptive variable suspension and a Sport+ drive mode, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 using 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 7.9 L/100 km combined.

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 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 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 Lexus RX provided 2,826 litres of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space for anything beyond groceries. Cargo capacity varied, with the standard RX offering 453 litres behind the second row and up to 1,657 litres with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high due to the sporty bumper design.

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 Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, along with a digital instrument panel on higher models.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip obstructing access. The RX offered voice commands and a touchpad, though the latter was frustrating to use. The RX included six USB ports, smartphone integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. Additional features included climate control, premium audio systems, and the Lexus App for remote personalization.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, 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, with a five-star overall rating.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation. It received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.