2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, 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 Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The SUV's wheel options varied by trim, ranging from 17-inch to 18-inch, with all-terrain tires available on the Badlands model. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior, with an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim improved with each model, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, on the other hand, showcased a bold front styling with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. It was available in multiple trims, with 18-inch alloy wheels on lower grades and 20-inch wheels on higher trims. The Outlander featured a luxurious interior in the GT Premium trim, with premium semi-aniline leather, a head-up display, and a premium sound system. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents. While some interior plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover status, Mitsubishi avoided using obviously inexpensive materials. The Outlander offered a power panoramic glass sunroof on most grades, enhancing the interior ambiance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 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 generous ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine was better suited to the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. The Outlander offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. While the CVT made the best use of available power, the Outlander felt most responsive in urban environments. However, it lacked the power needed for confident highway acceleration and passing. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm over minor pavement anomalies. The Outlander returned 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than its official rating.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 accessories for transporting 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 featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats and deeply padded armrests. The GT and GT Premium trims featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The rear seat offered generous head and legroom, with a sliding mechanism for adjustable space. A third-row seat was available, though it was best suited for children due to limited space. The Outlander provided 331 litres of cargo space with the third row in use, expanding to 948 litres with it folded down. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,256 litres, slightly reduced with the panoramic sunroof.

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 optional Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on higher trims, and the GT Premium featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

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 adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, offering Level 2 hands-on assistance. It included forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though early models had poor headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating.