2021 Honda HR-V 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 short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, all of which were tailored for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the modest Ford badge, added to its rugged charm. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, catering to different preferences.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V presented a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its distinctive styling included converging window lines and rear door handles integrated into the triangular taillight design. Most trims came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport model featured 18-inch matte-black wheels. The HR-V's interior was plain yet functional, with good material quality and fit. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery, providing a solid feel without luxury pretensions.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. 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. The Badlands and First Edition models 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 manners on pavement.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available across all trims. The HR-V's powertrain was considered underpowered for highway driving, but its chassis offered a rewarding experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. However, its AWD system was not designed for rough terrains, and it lacked towing capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its cleverly designed cargo space, capable of accommodating two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 150 pounds. The 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter managed 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2021 Honda HR-V impressed with its cargo space, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. It offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seat down (57.6 for AWD models) and 24.3 cubic feet with the seat up (23.2 for AWD). The HR-V excelled in rear-seat legroom, leading the segment, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. While lacking clever storage solutions, the HR-V featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring 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 various drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim came with Bluetooth, a 5-inch display, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and above offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was straightforward, with USB ports conveniently located. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was considered small, and competitors offered more standard features.

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

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. However, it had "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating. Honda Sensing safety features were available on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The HR-V also featured Honda's LaneWatch, providing a camera view when the turn signal was activated.