2022 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the 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 for improved off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's design was characterized by its tall fender wells and minimalistic body sides, aimed at reducing snags during trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the understated Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet refined interior, with a focus on functionality and comfort. The cabin featured a unique design for the HVAC vents, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, with options ranging from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, and practical features like rubberized flooring for easy cleaning.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia, giving it a chunkier appearance. Unlike some competitors, the Equinox embraced its car-based crossover identity, offering a balance between ruggedness and car-like comfort. The dashboard design was creative, with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center, and the materials and fit were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior felt subdued. The Equinox's design aimed to provide a happy medium for buyers seeking a crossover with a tall roofline and a less car-like appearance than some rivals.

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, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models were equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 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. On-road, the Bronco Sport provided a comfortable ride, though the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a single 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Equinox's torque was advantageous in stop-and-go traffic, but its lack of horsepower was noticeable at higher speeds, where the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling. While it provided decent comfort on rough roads, it lacked the refinement and solidity of some competitors.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle's towing capacity ranged from 2,000 to 2,200 pounds, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position difficult. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons and knobs were prominently placed, and the cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system provided various drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The Chevy MyLink system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The Equinox provided multiple USB ports and power outlets, though the center-console slot for phones was too small. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the Equinox's infotainment system covered the basics effectively.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as 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 more. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it was rated "Marginal" in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.