2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, which were designed for extreme terrains like swamps and deep water. The Bronco's design was utilitarian, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance its off-road prowess. Inside, it maintained a rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including G.O.A.T. modes, a digital instrument panel, and a large infotainment touchscreen, making it both a capable off-roader and a tech-savvy vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design, focusing on clean lines and simplicity. It offered a luxurious interior with a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, aluminum and shiny black trim, and Windsor leather upholstery. The Range Rover Sport was available in several trims, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. It featured premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and advanced aerodynamics. Inside, the Range Rover Sport boasted a high-tech appearance with sustainable materials and a focus on comfort, although the rear seat was less accommodating for taller passengers. The cargo area was spacious, with a power liftgate and controls to lower the air suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.7-litre V6 engine with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like a seven-speed manual transmission with a crawl gear, four-wheel drive, and an electronic two-speed transfer case. It excelled in challenging terrains, such as deep-rutted muddy trails and steep rock climbs, and could ford water up to 92.5 centimetres deep. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, with better steering and reduced driver fatigue.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Range Rover Sport's performance was commendable, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds and a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. It featured a new vehicle architecture with increased torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and advanced driving modes. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on winding roads.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top accommodating up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, such as netted door pockets and accessory rails, and offered stowable doors for added convenience.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats offered 20-way power adjustments with heating and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating for taller passengers, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured a power liftgate, controls to lower the air suspension, and a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. modes for different terrains and a forward-looking trail camera for better visibility. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Bronco also included a Trail Turn Assist feature for sharper turns in tight spaces.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a Meridian audio system with up to 29 speakers. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and responding to voice commands. The Range Rover Sport also included a wireless smartphone charging pad and an Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received favourable safety ratings from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in frontal, side, and roof strength tests.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered advanced features like Remote Park Assist and adaptive cruise control with steering assist. However, the steering assist technology was found to be unsatisfactory, especially on highway curves and bends.