2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, drawing inspiration from its rugged 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 included tall fender wells and a tucked-in body, minimizing unnecessary adornments that could catch on obstacles. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior, with an uncluttered design, unique HVAC vent shapes, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, and practical features like a rubberized cargo floor.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, offering a higher ride height and more aggressive all-terrain tires. It featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. The Outback Wilderness also introduced a new roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The interior included brushed aluminum pedals, all-weather floor mats, and waterproof materials for the rear seatbacks and cargo tray. These modifications gave the Outback Wilderness a distinct personality, setting it apart from standard Outback models.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. 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 generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, with the 2.0-litre engine offering a more refined driving experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for the midsize crossover. The Outback Wilderness boasted a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Wilderness trim featured a lifted suspension, providing 23 cm of ground clearance, and was equipped with all-terrain tires for enhanced off-road capability. The vehicle's approach, breakover, and departure angles were improved, making it the most capable Outback ever. The dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control further enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its versatile cargo space, designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered a range of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 907 and 997 kilograms, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though some drivers found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The terrain management system offered various G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for some functions, most controls required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims.

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 and other advanced features. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were not available, the standard Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.