2021 Nissan Kicks vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, capturing the rugged spirit of its predecessor while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and the interior boasted a rugged yet uncluttered design with an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim improved with each model, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed seats.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior updates, aligning its design with other Nissan models like the Armada and Rogue. It featured a snubbed nose with a double V-motion grille and thinner, longer headlights. The Kicks SR trim level included LED headlights and fog lights, while the rear showcased a new bumper and LED taillights. The Kicks offered a variety of paint options, including two-tone combinations, enhancing its stylish appearance. The interior maintained a familiar design with higher quality materials, offering features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob in the SR trim. The Kicks also provided over 100 million color combinations for customization.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims were equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It also featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. Despite its modest power figures, the Kicks offered nimble handling, aided by electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut suspension. The Kicks excelled in fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. It also featured a traction control system, stability control, and hill start assist, contributing to its overall performance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering a cargo space capable of accommodating two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It featured over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle could tow up to 2,200 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine. The interior offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made efficient use of its compact size, providing easy-to-reach controls and good small-item storage. It featured a six-way adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and best-in-class front seat legroom. The Kicks offered a tonneau cover for hidden storage in the rear cargo area. While the front seats were slightly compartmentalized, the rear seats comfortably accommodated adults.

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 a Bang & Olufsen sound system on higher trims and a 360-degree camera for off-road use. The terrain management system included multiple drive modes, and trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers. A surround-view monitor provided a 360-degree camera view, and a WiFi hotspot was available for over-the-air updates. NissanConnect services offered convenience and security features.

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

The 2021 Nissan Kicks included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. It came with 10 airbags and additional safety features on higher trims. While the 2021 model had not been crash-tested, the 2020 model received good ratings from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.