2021 BMW X7 vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 also offered advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570, and its visual presence was more commanding than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the X7's appeal was subjective, as personal preference played a significant role in this competitive segment.

The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, was equipped with 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium extended leather, and a host of luxury features, bringing its price to $91,745. The X7's design, characterized by its large grille, was fitting for its size, and its styling was both traditional and glamorous, securing its place at the top of BMW's SUV lineup. Inside, the X7 shared many features with the X5, offering high-tech design and high-quality materials, though some quirks required acclimation.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and adventurous spirit, quickly became a sought-after vehicle. Following its successful debut, the Bronco expanded its lineup with the Everglades and Bronco Raptor models. The Everglades was designed for swamp trekking, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco offered seven trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities, but the 2022 models sold out quickly. Buyers could choose between two-door or four-door body styles, with options for a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, removable roofs, and a variety of paint colors.

The Bronco's design prioritized off-roading, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. Its utilitarian appearance included large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare tire. Inside, the Bronco featured marine-grade vinyl upholstery, sealed switches, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific terrain settings, enhancing its off-road prowess. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco offered modern technology, including a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen, making it a versatile choice for both off-road adventures and daily driving.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X7 featured eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite these advancements, the X7's fuel economy ratings dropped slightly from the previous year, achieving 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering ample power for most driving scenarios.

The X7's driving experience was smooth and serene, with features like the Dynamic Handling Package and Active Comfort Drive system enhancing ride quality. However, the SUV's size and weight were noticeable, especially on winding roads, where it exhibited excessive body motions. The X7's eight-speed transmission was praised for its performance, and the SUV's brakes were effective in managing its nearly 5,400-pound curb weight. While the X7 offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it was not taken off-road during testing to avoid damaging its expensive wheels and tires.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a crawl gear for low-speed driving, while the V6 was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos had four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case, providing excellent off-road capabilities.

The Bronco excelled in off-road performance, with models like the Wildtrak and Everglades conquering challenging terrain with ease. The Everglades model, tested on Drummond Island, handled deep mud, water crossings, and rock climbs effortlessly. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and more precise steering than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a better choice for road trips. While wind noise was present at highway speeds, it was not overly intrusive, and the absence of tire howl contributed to the Bronco's overall comfort.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was luxurious, featuring the Cold Weather Package, Luxury Seating Package, and premium Merino leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort was exceptional, with heated seats, armrests, and steering wheel as standard features. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though the long rear doors could make entry and exit challenging in tight parking spaces. The X7 offered a four-zone automatic climate control system, with an available five-zone system for third-row occupants. The third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing them required some maneuvering of the power seats.

Cargo space in the X7 was limited, with a small area behind the third-row seats. Folding the third-row seats increased capacity to 48.6 cubic feet, while folding the second-row seats expanded it to 90.4 cubic feet, falling short of class leaders.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear 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 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 behind the seats and 77.6 cubic feet with them folded. The soft-top models offered slightly more space.

The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, and a rubberized phone tray. Optional accessory rails on the dash allowed for secure storage of items like action cameras. The Bronco's utility was further enhanced by external hard mounting points and removable fender flares, making it a versatile choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and an iDrive 7.0 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic and parking information. Wireless smartphone charging and a natural voice-recognition system were also included, though gesture control was inconsistent. The iDrive system was user-friendly, but finding specific features while driving could be distracting. The test vehicle also had a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

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 their preferred settings. A forward-looking trail camera with tire path overlays helped navigate challenging terrain, and Trail Turn Assist allowed for sharper turns in tight spaces. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complementing the available wireless charging pad.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included Active Driving Assistant Pro, which offered features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist. The system was generally effective, though it occasionally struggled with lane maintenance and automated lane changes. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parallel parking assist, a surround-view camera, and a drive recorder system.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Additional features, such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist, were available in the optional Mid package. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco's safety systems functioned reliably, with no false alarms or glitches. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS rated the Bronco "Good" in most tests, with an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.