2021 Ford Bronco vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, entering its fifth generation, had a design that had become well-known and appreciated since its 2017 debut. Honda's designers opted for a soft and curvy approach, giving the CR-V a more car-like and station wagon-esque appearance. This design was reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup, making it a fitting choice for modern family transportation. Inside, however, the CR-V’s mish-mash of textures and materials was less impressive. Higher trims featured wood-look trim and leather upholstery, which clashed with low-quality plastics, starkly reminding drivers that the premium touches were essentially upgrades on a basic commodity vehicle. The base CR-V had an MSRP of $26,270 and came in four trims: LX, EX ($28,720), EX-L ($31,270), and Touring ($24,470). All-wheel drive was optional at $1,500 for all trims. While a striking set of 17-inch alloy wheels was standard, higher trims received larger wheels up to 19-inch on the Touring trim. Even though the CR-V had features like a retractable moonroof (except for the LX), it lacked the panoramic sunroof seen in competitors such as the Toyota RAV4. Roof rails were exclusive to the top-tier Touring model. Ford, on the other hand, brought a legendary vehicle back to life with the 2021 Bronco, heavily inspired by the original 1966 model. Debuting as an exercise in “Retrofuturism,” the new Bronco seamlessly blended classic design with modern features. Its exterior boasted a single-piece grille, round headlights, and bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia. Removable off-road sights on the hood, applied fender flares, and a choice of 32-inch or 35-inch tires added to its rugged appeal. The Bronco was available in both two-door and four-door configurations with varying dimensions to suit different needs. The Bronco featured a modular removable hardtop or a black soft-top, and came in eleven eye-catching paint colors, including Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Area 51. Inside, the Bronco retained a retro feel but incorporated advanced technology. The digitized cluster and color touchscreen brought modernity to the rugged SUV. Despite heavy use of plastic, the interior felt tough and functional, with added ruggedness from metal-reinforced areas and grippy rubber surfaces. The second-row seats in the four-door model provided ample comfort, while the two-door variant offered good accessibility.

For the 2020 model year, Honda simplified the CR-V's powertrain options by eliminating the previous base engine. Instead, all CR-V models received a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Although CVTs often have a bad reputation, the CR-V’s transmission performed well, mimicking a traditional automatic and offering a swift response, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's low curb weight of 3,337 pounds contributed to its agile handling and economical fuel consumption, achieving 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD versions. For buyers seeking even greater fuel efficiency, Honda introduced a hybrid version of the CR-V, though this review did not cover it. The 2021 Ford Bronco offered a choice of two engines at launch: a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, or an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter was paired with a 10-speed automatic, which was also optional for the 2.3-liter engine. All models featured four-wheel drive as standard. The Bronco delivered a dual experience on and off-road. On pavement, the four-door First Edition with 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package provided a noisy and somewhat wiggly ride, ideal for off-roading but not for daily driving. However, the 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission offered smooth and responsive performance. Off-road, the Bronco impressed with its capability and sure-footedness across varied terrain. During tests, the Bronco, equipped with the Sasquatch package, showcased its off-road prowess with strong ground traction and balanced handling, making it enjoyable for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

Honda excelled in packaging efficiency with the 2020 CR-V, making the most out of its compact dimensions. The CR-V offered an impressively roomy cabin, rivaling the class-leading Volkswagen Tiguan while preserving a smaller footprint. Excellent headroom and legroom across all seats contributed to a comfortable ride, enhanced by an ideal seating position that maximized front visibility. The CR-V also packed clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and substantial door pockets. Cargo capacity was another highlight, with a two-position load floor that allowed for flexible storage setups and up to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This made the CR-V a practical choice for families and adventure enthusiasts alike. In contrast, the 2021 Ford Bronco emphasized modularity and ease of customization, drawing inspiration from both past and present off-roaders. Door and fender removability, paired with dedicated storage bags and clear removal instructions, showcased Ford’s attention to detail and user-friendliness. Standard skid plates and removable bumpers and grilles added to its rugged charm. The Bronco's interior was designed for utility. Practical features like a second set of switches for auxiliary equipment, easily accessible controls for off-road settings, and protective storage for removable parts enhanced its appeal. Though not as focused on cargo capacity as traditional SUVs, the Bronco offered sufficient room and flexible seating arrangements, depending on the chosen configuration.

The 2020 Honda CR-V lagged behind in the technology department, especially with its outdated infotainment system. The standard 5-inch screen on LX trims was inadequate, offering only basic features like Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. Even the 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims appeared diminutive compared to competitors’ offerings. Lacking hard buttons and responsive controls, Honda’s infotainment interface was frustrating to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on higher trims but did not fully integrate with the vehicle. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger but overall, tech features were limited. Conversely, the 2021 Ford Bronco boasted a more advanced technological suite. Its center console featured the G.O.A.T. system for selecting terrain modes, ranging from five to seven depending on the trim. At the heart of the dashboard, the Bronco housed an 8-inch standard SYNC 4 touchscreen, upgradable to a 12-inch screen with the High Package. The infotainment system offered enhanced voice recognition, connectivity options, and, with the Lux Package, an upgraded 10-speaker B&O sound system, wireless device charging, and more. Standard push-button start and the option for proximity key entry added convenience, while auto high-beam headlamps and rear-view camera capabilities were also available.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite as standard, providing forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist even on the base LX trim. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned top marks from safety organizations, including a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though lower trims suffered from less effective halogen headlights. The 2021 Ford Bronco scaled its safety features based on trim levels. Higher trims and packages added comprehensive features such as pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot information, lane-keeping system, and rear-view camera with backup assist. The High Package offered advanced elements like a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. While crash test ratings weren’t available at the time, Ford’s attention to off-road safety, including side curtain airbags calibrated for off-road conditions, showed an extra level of preparedness.