2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to Ford's lineup, designed as a smaller sibling to the rugged Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs to enhance its off-road capabilities. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing the risk of catching on obstructions. The front grille and tailgate prominently displayed the "BRONCO" name, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript, while the Ford blue oval appeared modestly on the tailgate. The Bronco Sport's wheels varied by trim level, ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model, with options for all-terrain tires on higher trims.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful design, featuring an uncluttered layout with unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and two cupholders. 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 was designed with practicality in mind, offering a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector, with options for carpeted floor mats and rubberized flooring.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a crossover that built on the Impreza hatchback's foundation, adding rugged looks, all-wheel drive (AWD), and a taller driving position. It featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and an 8.7-inch ground clearance, giving it a more SUV-like appearance. The Crosstrek's vibrant color options, including Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its character.

Underneath, the Crosstrek shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Legacy/Outback, Ascent, and Forester, providing a refined and polished driving experience. The interior was functional but somewhat plain, with the Sport trim level featuring Plasma Yellow Pearl accents and simulated carbon-fiber trim pieces. The water-repellant StarTex upholstery on the Sport model was practical for outdoor adventures.

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 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 with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, along with a terrain management system with 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. Ground clearance ranged from 7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tire and wheel size. On-road, the Bronco Sport displayed 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 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine for the Sport and Limited trims, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only.

All Crosstrek models featured standard AWD with torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. The Sport trim added Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. While the Crosstrek's higher center of gravity resulted in increased body roll, it offered a comfortable ride and low wind noise. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration, but the CVT's droning noise was noticeable.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting 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 find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While competitive with other small crossovers in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind in cargo space compared to models like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos.

CVT-equipped Crosstrek models included a rear-seat reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended. The front cabin featured a cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports, but rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. Storage space was minimal, with decent-sized bottle holders in the doors. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good thanks to the large side glass.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system had six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. A 360-degree camera with split view and a washer was also available.

The Bronco Sport's terrain management system featured up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for different conditions. Trail control technology allowed for cruise-control-like operation at low speeds, aiding off-road 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 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims.

Subaru's infotainment system included a second screen above the main touchscreen, displaying redundant information. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate and responsive, with large analog knobs and buttons for audio volume and climate control. Steering wheel buttons controlled EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system. Trailer sway control was available with the tow package. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard on all models. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021 version, earned IIHS's "Top Safety Pick" award with the highest ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. EyeSight driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning, were standard on CVT-equipped models. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited trim and optional on Premium and Sport trims. EyeSight's cameras were well-protected but could be blocked by windshield wipers or direct sunlight.