2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban had a polarizing front-end design, with small headlights and large, busy grilles that borrowed heavily from the Camaro's design language. This design choice was not universally well-received, and some speculated that it might require an early refresh. However, the interior of the Suburban remained largely unchanged, with controls in familiar places, making it user-friendly. The infotainment system was well-integrated, although the chrome strip framing the screen could reflect sunlight into the driver's eyes.

The Suburban offered various trim levels, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country. Each trim added more features, such as leather upholstery, heated seats, and advanced driver assistance systems. The Z71 trim was designed for off-road enthusiasts, while the RST trim focused on on-road performance. The High Country trim, which we tested, included premium features like adaptive air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, and a rear-seat media system. However, despite its high price, the High Country lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, on the other hand, was a modern retro-styled crossover that captured the essence of its larger sibling, the Bronco. It featured a short front overhang for better approach angles and tall fender wells designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's design was both functional and stylish, with bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate. The wheels varied by trim level, with options for all-terrain tires on higher trims.

Inside, the Bronco Sport had a rugged yet uncluttered design, with an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim improved with each model, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The cargo space was designed to accommodate outdoor gear, including mountain bikes, and the roof could hold up to 150 pounds. The Bronco Sport also offered a range of factory and aftermarket accessories to enhance its utility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came with three engine options: a standard 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a newly available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine generating 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard and four-wheel drive (4WD) available. The diesel engine provided excellent torque and smooth acceleration, making it a strong performer both on and off the road.

The Suburban's handling was a mix of truck-like characteristics and modern improvements. The independent rear suspension provided a more compliant ride, but the vehicle still exhibited body roll and was susceptible to crosswinds. The brakes were powerful and confidence-inspiring, essential for a vehicle of this size. Overall, the Suburban offered a smooth ride over most driving surfaces, despite some truck-like tendencies.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque for the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 hp and 275 lb-ft for the Badlands and First Edition trims. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (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. It handled trails and obstacles with ease, making it a capable off-roader. On pavement, the Bronco Sport had good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more satisfying driving experience. The 1.5-liter engine, while adequate, could feel strained under heavy acceleration.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban boasted massive cargo space, with 144.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it offered 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, and the control layout was user-friendly, despite the less intuitive button shifter design. The power-sliding center console, while innovative, was slow and added unnecessary complexity.

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 also offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the cargo hold included smart features like a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, but taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM’s intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and a sensible layout, with a helpful home button. Optional features included a navigation system, a rear entertainment system with large touchscreens, and a head-up display with easy-to-read graphics.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims could be equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed parents to set speed and volume limitations for younger drivers. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options included a rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included with the tow package. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes.