2021 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to traditional SUV styling, with its tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and prominent grille. It offered a clean and handsome design, though it lacked the personality of some competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Traverse's restrained styling allowed for distinct trim level identities, with options like blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, featuring an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof and materials that were decent but not exceptional for its price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport embraced a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of the classic Bronco. Its design was both functional and stylish, with short front and rear overhangs for better off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's bold "BRONCO" lettering and minimal Ford branding added to its unique appeal. The interior was rugged yet uncluttered, with a focus on practicality and convenience, including an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The Bronco Sport's design catered to both urban and adventurous lifestyles, making it a versatile choice for many drivers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 provided adequate power for highway merging and overtaking, it lacked the punch off the line. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, thanks to its quiet cabin and smooth suspension, but it fell short in agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system required manual activation and offered torque vectoring capabilities, though these were not particularly noticeable during driving. The Traverse had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which was average for its class.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured AWD with a terrain management system. The Bronco Sport impressed off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-liter could feel strained under pressure. The Bronco Sport's towing capacity ranged from 2,000 to 2,200 pounds, depending on the engine.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom across all three rows. It boasted a significant advantage in cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Traverse's interior storage options were limited, typical of midsize three-row crossovers, but it featured a power liftgate and a power-folding third row on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active lifestyles with clever features like cargo space designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch mountain bikes. It offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear and had a roof rated to hold up to 150 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and floodlamps. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers. The Bronco Sport's interior was designed for practicality and adventure.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with options for navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a Bose audio system. The Traverse retained analog controls for ease of use and offered a rearview camera mirror and an HD surround-view camera system for improved visibility. USB ports were standard across all rows, but wireless charging was limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included FordConnect with a WiFi hotspot and offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included multiple G.O.A.T. modes for various driving conditions, and trail control technology for off-road assistance. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and a digital instrument panel was available on higher models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it had mixed headlight ratings and limited standard driver-assist features. Adaptive cruise control and other safety technologies were optional on higher trims, unlike many competitors that offered them as standard.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All Bronco Sport models had AWD and a terrain management system for enhanced safety. Crash ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.