2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth-generation compact crossover lineup, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, closely resembling Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered a modern retro look that was reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup. It featured a short front overhang for better approach angles and a rear overhang that was almost as good. The design was tailored for trail driving, with tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides to minimize obstructions. The Bronco Sport's front and rear styling echoed its larger sibling, the Bronco, with bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate. The vehicle's wheels played a significant role in its off-road and on-road capabilities, with various options available across different trims.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a well-matched driving experience, with the CVT offering a credible imitation of a conventional automatic transmission. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its lightweight design contributed to its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 miles per gallon combined and AWD models managing 29 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, along with a terrain management system with 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.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. It provided excellent head- and legroom, along with clever storage solutions like a deep center console and a two-position load floor in the rear. The CR-V's cargo space was impressive, with a total of 75.8 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded. The vehicle's design made it easy to live with, accommodating various storage needs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The cargo hold included smart features like a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, although some drivers found visibility challenges due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, along with a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. It offered FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included multiple G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided additional off-road assistance. Higher trims featured a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel and intelligent access with push-button start.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although lower trims had marginal headlight ratings. A safety recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with built-in traction control and electronic stability control. Crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.