2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent subtle styling changes that enhanced its sporty appearance. The new front fascia featured "air blades" on either side of the grille, while a redesigned rear bumper concealed the tailpipes. New wheel designs were introduced across all models, and the front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, including the XC90 and various sedans and wagons. Inside, the XC60 retained its clean design, with a new digital instrument cluster and a portrait-oriented touchscreen. The B6 R-Design model added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, though the interior remained somewhat subdued compared to other Volvo models.

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated with its retro styling and adventurous spirit, offering a wide range of trims, including the new Everglades and Bronco Raptor models. The Everglades was designed for swamp trekking, equipped with an intake snorkel, Warn winch, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to eight trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Despite being sold out for the year, the Bronco offered choices between two-door and four-door body styles, four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines, and removable roofs. The Bronco's design prioritized off-roading, with features like short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. Its utilitarian appearance included large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and modular construction for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco featured sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning after off-road adventures.

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 and integrated starter generator, providing an additional 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 powertrain also included an electric supercharger. The XC60 B5 delivered 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The XC60 B5 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60's standout features included 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, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a zero to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a base turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. An optional 2.7-litre V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft. 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 manual transmission featured a seventh crawl gear for low-speed driving with high torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road capabilities, with models like the Wildtrak, Everglades, and Raptor conquering challenging terrains. The Everglades model demonstrated its prowess on difficult terrain, including deep water crossings and steep rock climbs. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a more comfortable road trip companion.

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 rear seats up and 1,410 litres with them folded. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly reduced cargo capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps aided entry. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with them folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including netted door pockets and accessory rails. Stowable doors and removable fender flares added to its utility, while external hard mounting points supported heavy racks or light bars.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air software updates were enabled, and iPhone compatibility was promised. The system's graphics were praised, though Apple users might have differing opinions. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes provided confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select setups. A forward-looking trail camera with overlay lines aided navigation, and Trail Turn Assist allowed sharper turns. The Bronco featured the Sync 4 infotainment system with quick responses, sharp graphics, and off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, were standard, complemented by an available wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2021 model received top safety ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. An optional driver assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA rated the four-door Bronco with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the Bronco "Good" ratings in most tests and "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats. Standard airbags included dual-stage front and side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and a rollover sensor.