2022 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, continuing its second generation into its 14th year, showcased a mature design that remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Its exterior design adhered to the principle that "good taste never goes out of style," featuring a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, with a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was crafted with typical Toyota quality, offering high-quality materials and a durable build, although it appeared somewhat dated compared to modern SUVs with larger infotainment screens and more contemporary dashboard designs.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco captivated with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, making it a highly sought-after vehicle. The Bronco's design was heavily influenced by its off-road capabilities, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance its approach and departure angles. Its utilitarian appearance was complemented by large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a modular construction that allowed for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco continued its 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 offered modern technology, including a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen, enhancing its appeal to a broad audience.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a single powertrain option: a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its hefty weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution ensuring safe stopping distances. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by a four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension, with the TRD Pro model featuring Fox shocks for improved performance on rough terrain.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional EcoBoost 2.7-litre V6 engine producing 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the two-door Bronco with the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and all four-door models. The Bronco's off-road prowess was evident across its lineup, with even the base model capable of conquering challenging terrain. The Everglades model, tested on difficult terrain, demonstrated its ability to ford water up to 92.5 centimetres deep and tackle steep rock climbs with ease. On pavement, the Bronco impressed with its smooth ride and precise steering, making it a comfortable road trip companion.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. Three-zone climate control catered to all passengers, and a standard one-touch tilt/slide power moonroof added to the interior's appeal. The Sequoia's cargo space was generous, with 535 litres available behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows folded flat. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including a large centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, providing ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering 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 a rubberized phone tray, along with options for accessory rails and stowable doors. Its utility was further enhanced by external hard mounting points and removable fender flares.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Ford Bronco embraced technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. modes for optimized terrain settings and a forward-looking trail camera for improved visibility. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses and sharp graphics, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Bronco also included advanced off-road apps and a wireless charging pad, making it a tech-savvy choice for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of airbags.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came equipped with 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 ratings from IIHS, with "Good" scores in frontal, side, and roof strength tests. NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection.