2021 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, designed as a smaller sibling to the rugged Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of the classic Bronco, with a short front overhang for optimal approach angles and a similarly styled rear. The Bronco Sport's design was tailored for both suburban driving and weekend adventures, with tall fender wells and minimal adornments to avoid catching on obstacles. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with various wheel options ranging from 17-inch to 18-inch, added to its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design. The HVAC vents had a unique shape that lent unity to the cabin, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies topped by an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied by model, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and even Navy Pier Leather power front seats on the First Edition. The cargo area was designed with practicality in mind, featuring options like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, with its distinctive tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, was described by Kia as having a "Euro-focused" design. This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as the stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit, with two cupholders between the front seats and Kia's logo on the steering wheel.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to its trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were powered by a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 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).

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel. It had ground clearance ranging from 7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tire and wheel size. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine provided a better match for the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportage models used a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. AWD models saw a slight dip in fuel efficiency. The Sportage's McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired. The SX Turbo trim offered a more rewarding driving experience, particularly for those seeking a sporty drive.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features designed for outdoor adventures. The cargo space was engineered to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting various outdoor gear. The roof could support 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 cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, including big door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, taller drivers might have found outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for both the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited. The Sportage provided 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was less competitive compared to other compact crossovers.

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 FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while higher trims could be equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera with split view and a washer.

The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included five drive modes on Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and added Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes on Badlands and First Edition models. The available trail control technology allowed for a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. 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 Kia Sportage's 8-inch touchscreen interface managed its infotainment system, which included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also featured Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The Sportage's technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs. While not the most advanced, the tech was unlikely to frustrate owners or leave them wanting more.

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, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. All Bronco Sport models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control.

The 2021 Kia Sportage boasted a strong list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for its upgraded headlights and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.