2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Bronco, with a design that echoed the ruggedness of the original 1966-1996 Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript. The SUV offered a range of wheel options, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels on the Outer Banks model. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen, a rotary gear selector, and a step-up in interior trim from cloth to leather-trimmed seats across different models.

The 2022 BMW X3, available in four variants, presented a slightly more aggressive exterior design with a larger kidney grille and adaptive full LED headlights. The rear featured new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered a range of exterior updates, including an M Sport Package with sportier design elements and a Shadowline Package for a blacked-out look. The interior of the X3 was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, and a panoramic moonroof. The X3's interior color choices varied by material and model, with options for SensaTec synthetic leather or premium Vernasca leather. The cabin also featured ambient lighting with 11 color combinations and a redesigned center console with a larger infotainment system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque for the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque for the Badlands and First Edition models. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, while also providing good on-road manners for everyday driving.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters as standard. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The X3 M40i added a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The X3 offered a balance of performance and fuel economy, with the M40i providing a more exhilarating driving experience. The mild-hybrid system, however, did not improve fuel economy, with the X3 M40i rated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering cargo space engineered to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for outdoor activities. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided seating for five, with a 40/20/40-split rear seat and ample cargo space for luggage and equipment. The SensaTec seats were comfortable, with the option to upgrade to Vernasca leather for added softness. The X3's sport seats offered adjustability, though the thigh-support cushion's control handle could be intrusive for some drivers. The redesigned center console featured a larger infotainment system, with push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and audio functions. The X3's interior was ergonomic, with improved accessibility to touchpoints and a smudge-free matte finish on the buttons.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and offering Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, with an available Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera for off-road use. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, including a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system offered navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches. The X3's standard sound system included 12 speakers, with an optional Harman Kardon surround sound system for M40i models. Additional tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package with features like a heated steering wheel and gesture control.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and road-sign recognition. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. It included adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and active blind-spot monitoring. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus and a 360-degree camera view. The Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, active lane-keep assist, and side collision avoidance. The X3's safety features were comprehensive, with advanced driver-assistance systems.