2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the classic Bronco, offering a modern retro aesthetic that appealed to both urban and adventurous drivers. Its design featured a short front overhang for optimal approach angles and a rear overhang that complemented its trail-ready stance. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for off-road excursions, minimizing the risk of snagging on obstacles. The Bronco Sport's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, reinforced its rugged identity. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a tastefully rugged interior with a cohesive design, highlighted by an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, offering a progression from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor for added utility.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained a familiar appearance, closely resembling its gas-only counterparts, with subtle distinctions like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. The interior featured unique instrumentation to display battery charge and power distribution, with steering wheel paddles managing regenerative braking. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, the CR-V Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive. The Touring trim, in particular, offered a premium experience with features like larger wheels, navigation, and a hands-free power liftgate. The cabin was adorned with ivory leather, providing a luxurious contrast to the black upper panels, though the fake wood trim detracted from the overall aesthetic. Despite its shortcomings in fuel economy, the CR-V Hybrid excelled in passenger comfort and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, each tied to specific trim levels. 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. Meanwhile, the Badlands and First Edition trims featured a more robust 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 all-wheel drive, complemented by 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, while maintaining good on-road manners.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid utilized Honda's two-motor hybrid technology, combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor. This setup produced a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most suitable one. It also featured three driver-selected modes: Econ, Sport, and EV. The hybrid system added 194 pounds to the vehicle's weight, improving weight distribution and maintaining 8.2 inches of ground clearance. The CR-V Hybrid delivered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, though its real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations, achieving 33.7 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 38 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its versatile cargo space, designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered a range of over 100 accessories to support various outdoor activities. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle's towing capacity ranged from 2,000 to 2,200 pounds, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might have experienced visibility challenges due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in passenger comfort and cargo space. The front seats offered excellent support and adjustability, with heated seats and high-quality leather available. The rear seat provided generous legroom, comparable to the Accord sedan, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space measured 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, slightly reduced due to the battery pack, but still accommodating four full-sized suitcases. Maximum cargo space reached 68.7 cubic feet, though it was less than the standard CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system provided multiple drive modes, with additional off-road modes for Badlands and First Edition trims. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and a digital instrument panel was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a 7-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The system was slow to start, and voice recognition was limited, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Touring trim included wireless smartphone charging and a nine-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM radio, and Pandora internet radio, though the navigation display was cluttered.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and stability control. However, crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The systems operated smoothly, though the CR-V lacked some advanced features found in competitors. The CR-V Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.