2022 Toyota RAV4 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Bronco, with a design that echoed the ruggedness of the original 1966-1996 Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript. The interior was designed to be rugged yet tasteful, with a focus on functionality and convenience, including an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 had evolved from its origins as a "cute ute" into a mature crossover SUV. Its exterior design was characterized by angular wheel arches and crisp lines, creating a playful yet aggressive look. The RAV4's interior featured a layered dash with contrasting textures and colours, anchored by a straightforward centre stack. The cabin design included a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern that tied various elements together, and the vehicle offered a range of wheel options, including 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels on certain trims.

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 producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine with 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 decent ground clearance, while maintaining good on-road manners.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 provided three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model used a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor for 217 combined horsepower, while the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivered 302 horsepower with a larger battery pack. The RAV4 offered impressive fuel economy, with the Prime capable of running up to 68 kilometres on electricity alone. The RAV4's handling was car-like, with a four-wheel independent suspension and dynamic torque vectoring for improved cornering.

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 activities. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle could tow up to 997 kilograms with the 2.0-litre engine. The interior offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might have found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 had grown in size, offering up to 1,059 litres of luggage space behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the seats folded flat. It had a healthy payload capacity and could tow up to 1,588 kilograms in certain trims. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room for four adults and a range of convenience features like dual-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The RAV4's cabin was well-equipped with storage options, though the middle seat in the second row was less desirable.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment 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 drive modes. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on most trims, along with a digital instrument panel on higher models.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch screen available on higher trims. It included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The RAV4 Prime offered advanced technology like a bird’s-eye view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a 10-inch head-up display. The vehicle also featured multiple USB ports and auxiliary power outlets for added convenience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including 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 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota's Star Safety System and Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 its highest five-star rating.