2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the 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 streamlined body to minimize obstructions during trail driving. Its bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The trim levels offered a progression from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier appearance and a redesigned rear bumper. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a consistent design language. The interior remained largely unchanged, featuring a clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The R-Design trim added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, while the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery. Overall, the XC60's interior was subdued compared to other Volvo models, maintaining a focus on elegance and simplicity.

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, delivering 245 hp and 275 lb-ft 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 provided a better match for the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, providing an additional 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 powertrain also included an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The XC60's acceleration times were slightly slower than the previous model, but the B6 R-Design impressed with its smooth power delivery. The XC60 prioritized a calm driving experience, with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features beyond the typical compact crossover. Its cargo space was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford 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, optional slide-out work table, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models offered 611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,410 litres with them folded, while plug-in hybrid models had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. Despite the pinched roofline, rear visibility was satisfactory.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered SiriusXM capability and a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, with an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system's G.O.A.T. modes provided impressive tech for off-roading, with up to seven drive modes. Trail control technology allowed for cruise-control-like functionality on trails. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system. It included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Android-specific features like Google Assistant and Google Maps were integrated, with over-the-air software updates enabled. The system offered full iPhone compatibility, though Apple users might find the Google-based design less appealing. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a "Calm" setting to minimize distraction.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane centring, and more. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. An optional driver assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring. The 2021 model received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, and the 2022 model was expected to perform similarly.