2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the yet-to-be-released Bronco. It drew inspiration from the classic 1966-1996 Bronco, aiming to compete with rugged off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. However, the Bronco Sport was designed as a unibody crossover, making it more suitable for everyday driving while still being ready for weekend adventures. Its modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of Land Rover designs, featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with various wheel options, added to its rugged charm.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design. The HVAC vents had a unique shape, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies topped by an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and cupholders were located in the center console. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition model boasting Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The cargo area featured practical touches like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector, catering to the needs of active buyers.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80, on the other hand, combined elements from the Nissan Armada and Infiniti's own styling cues. While it shared the basic body shell with the Armada, the QX80's front-end design was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a bold grille and headlight design introduced in 2018. This gave the QX80 an assertive yet not overly aggressive look, setting it apart from its Nissan counterpart. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base Luxe trim and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its luxurious appearance.

Inside, the QX80's interior closely resembled the Armada's, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel. The dashboard had a familiar shape, and the switchgear and 4WD selector were carried over from the Armada. Despite some shared elements, the QX80's interior still felt properly luxurious, though it lacked the exclusivity some buyers might expect. The foot-operated parking brake was a notable feature, but it didn't quite match the high-end image of the vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, 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, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes (Go Over Any Type of Terrain).

During a media drive at Holly Oaks ORV Park in Michigan, the Bronco Sport impressed with its off-road capabilities. Its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel allowed for drama-free crawls around the park. Ground clearance ranged from 7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tire and wheel size. On-road, the Bronco Sport exhibited good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more satisfying driving experience compared to the 1.5-liter engine, which could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. This naturally aspirated V8 produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for highway overtaking and towing. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with 4WD available as a $3,100 option. While the engine was responsive, the transmission shifts could have been smoother, feeling somewhat crumpled rather than seamless.

The QX80's body-on-frame construction, combined with front and rear independent suspension and a rear auto-leveling feature, contributed to a comfortable ride. The Sensory trim level included Hydraulic Body Motion Control, which helped limit body roll during cornering. Despite its size, the QX80 offered a quiet and comfortable ride, though it felt less composed in corners. The speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style, making it easier to handle the large SUV.

Off-road, the QX80's 4WD drivetrain with low range and standard forward skid plate provided decent capability, though its size and factory wheel-and-tire combinations were more suited for on-road use. The QX80's towing capacity of 8,500 pounds was competitive, though slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator's maximum of 8,700 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever and practical features. The cargo space was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a catalog of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The rear glass flipped up, and an optional cargo management package added a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps.

Inside, the Bronco Sport featured ample storage compartments, including big door pockets, multiple cubbies, and covered storage. However, taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang, and the bulges in the hood could obscure the trail ahead when off-road. The driving position and visibility were subjective, so potential buyers were encouraged to test the vehicle themselves.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a spacious three-row interior with a standard seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain's chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was optional. The front seats were 10-way adjustable for the driver and eight-way adjustable for the front passenger, with heating and cooling on Sensory models. However, the front seat cushions lacked thigh support, which could be uncomfortable on long trips. A driver's memory system for the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel was standard, along with USB ports and a 12-volt outlet on the center stack.

Passenger space in all three rows was competitive, though not class-leading. The third row offered enough space for adults, and models with second-row captain's chairs included a large console with storage, climate controls, and USB ports. However, third-row passengers didn't have access to charging ports. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain's chairs folded. While the QX80's cargo space trailed competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, it still offered ample room for most needs. The power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row made switching between passenger and cargo hauling easier.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with the latest infotainment technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and the base audio system included six speakers. Higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera with split view and a washer, ideal for off-road use.

The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included five drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand) on Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, with Badlands and First Edition models adding Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes. These modes adjusted steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading, allowing the driver to focus on steering and navigation. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims included heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, with 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with optional upgrades to a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system.

The touchscreens were complemented by analog controls, including a small dial on the center console, buttons on the center stack, and steering-wheel controls. However, the user interface was not intuitive, requiring trial and error to navigate. The screens were also small and positioned far from the driver, making them difficult to use. Despite these challenges, the QX80 included helpful tech features like the Smart Rearview Mirror, which could switch to a streaming-video display, and the Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system, providing individual front and rear views and an overhead view.

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, dynamic brake support, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included in the available tow package, and AWD with terrain management and G.O.A.T. modes provided additional safety enhancements. However, crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were common in mainstream SUVs, but Infiniti made them standard on the QX80.