2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, while offering a more suburban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs that enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The SUV's wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and the interior boasted a rugged yet uncluttered design, featuring 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 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned in 2021, shared its exterior styling with the Tahoe and Silverado 1500, giving it a supersized appearance. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a high degree of customization. The RST trim, for instance, featured a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior with 22-inch wheels and a sporty monochromatic black grille. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with options ranging from comfortable to plush, depending on the trim. The RST model included 10-way power seats and Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching. Despite its spaciousness, the predominantly black interior could feel dark, though chrome accents and red stitching added some contrast.

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 hp and 275 lb-ft for the Badlands and First Edition models. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-liter could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, provided noticeable power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing and hauling. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased cargo space, while the 4WD system offered versatility for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed 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 included a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row offered ample headroom and legroom, and access was easy. The Suburban boasted 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The second-row seats could slide forward or backward, and a power-sliding center console provided additional storage. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and its height could be an issue for some garages. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls was a notable change from previous models.

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 capability, 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 standard on all trims except the Base, and higher trims included heated steering wheels and a digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a wealth of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT and above. Google built-in features, including Google Maps and Assistant, were also standard on these trims. The Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system was standard on LT and above. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard across the board. The Suburban offered a range of camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, and audio systems ranged from a basic six-speaker setup to a premium Bose CenterPoint system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, 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 Suburban included the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban.