2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent subtle styling changes, enhancing its sporty appearance with a new front fascia featuring "air blades" and a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC60 shared its foundation with other Volvo models like the XC90 and S90. Inside, the XC60 maintained its clean design with a new digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and minimal clutter. While the interior was generally subdued, the R-Design trim added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, and the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and adventurous spirit, was a highly sought-after vehicle. It introduced two new models, the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor, with the Everglades designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featuring an intake snorkel, Warn winch, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven trims, each offering varying degrees of off-road capabilities. Despite being sold out for the year, the Bronco offered a choice between two-door and four-door body styles, two engine options, and a removable roof. Its design prioritized off-roading, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. The interior continued the utilitarian theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, while technology like the G.O.A.T. mode dial and a full complement of cameras enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 versions. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter generator, providing an additional 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 powertrain also included an electric supercharger. The 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 the B5 available in FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively in AWD. The XC60's acceleration times were slightly slower than the 2021 model, with the B5 reaching 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 emphasized luxury over performance, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, especially with the optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge provided 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, achieving 60 mph in 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder, featuring a crawl gear for low-speed driving, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. Both engines provided ample power, with the Bronco excelling in off-road conditions. The Everglades model, tested on challenging terrain, demonstrated impressive capabilities, including fording water up to 36.4 inches deep. On-road, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a more comfortable road trip companion. Wind noise was a minor issue, but overall, the Bronco excelled as a versatile vehicle.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 retained its interior space, offering competitive passenger space within its segment. Front-seat headroom was above average, but rear-seat headroom was limited, tying with the Audi Q5 for the worst in its class. Legroom was average in both rows. The mild-hybrid models provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded, while plug-in hybrid models offered slightly less. The XC60 featured a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, providing ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some maneuvering, 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 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including netted door pockets and accessory rails, and offered stowable doors and removable fender flares for added utility.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech upgrade with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi 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 updates were also enabled. The system was compatible with iPhones, though without Google profile syncing. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a "Calm" setting to reduce distractions.

The 2022 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes provided confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select settings. A forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist feature aided in navigating challenging terrain. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and off-road apps, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2021 model received top ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist system, combining adaptive cruise control and lane centering, was available as an option.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most tests and "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.