2022 Acura RDX 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 unibody crossover design aimed at suburban drivers who enjoy weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport's exterior boasted short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, all contributing to its trail-ready appearance. 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 and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and cupholders were thoughtfully placed in the center console. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition model featuring Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The cargo area was designed with practicality in mind, offering rubberized flooring and a rubberized cargo floor for easy cleaning.

The 2022 Acura RDX, on the other hand, featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model. The grille surround and front and rear bumper styling were updated, and new wheel designs and paint colors were introduced. The limited-production PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trim levels, with prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding destination charges.

Our test vehicle, the A-Spec Advance package, featured high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. The RDX's interior emphasized a sporty driving position, with a thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel and a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the center dashboard. The standard panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space, while the 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats provided comfort and support. However, the back seat lacked support and comfort for adults, though it was suitable for children. The cargo area offered 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, both tied to trim levels. 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 models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes.

During testing at Holly Oaks ORV Park, the Bronco Sport impressed with its off-road capabilities, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine felt better suited to the Bronco Sport's character, while the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained when pushed hard.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The engine's quick spool-up contributed to the RDX's enjoyable driving character, though heavy-footed driving could reduce fuel economy from the EPA-rated 23 mpg to an average of 20.6 mpg during testing. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, and the drivetrain performed smoothly.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring AWD system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. The RDX's revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and re-tuned adaptive-damping suspension provided a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX also benefited from Active Sound Control enhancements and added sound insulation, resulting in a quieter cabin.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features beyond the typical compact crossover. The cargo space was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered 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 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 the seating position could be improved for better trail visibility.

The 2022 Acura RDX offered ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. The interior emphasized a sporty driving position, with a thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel and a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the center dashboard. The 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. However, the back seat lacked support and comfort for adults, though it was suitable for children.

The RDX's cargo area provided 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The power liftgate, with available hands-free operation, revealed hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor.

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 a standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading.

Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, along with a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Acura RDX's TTI infotainment system paired a 10.2-inch display screen with a sectioned touchpad controller. The system required a learning curve, but it offered a direct one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and the screen. The RDX also included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Standard features included satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims added a navigation system and premium sound systems, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system featuring 16 speakers.

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

The 2022 Acura RDX featured structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and a new rear seatbelt reminder system. The standard AcuraWatch suite included pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The RDX received a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings, and five-star side-impact ratings. IIHS ratings for the 2022 model were not yet published.