2022 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport boasted a look that captured modern retro styling, reminiscent of vehicles from the Land Rover lineup—a definitive compliment. This vehicle was a precursor to the eagerly anticipated big Bronco, blending rugged traits with a more suburban-friendly unibody design, making it an excellent everyday driver ready for adventurous weekends.

The Bronco Sport showcased a distinctive short front overhang, designed for optimal approach angles, and a well-balanced rear overhang. Its tall fender wells and streamlined body sides were crafted for trail driving with minimal adornment, ensuring fewer catch points on obstructions and brush. The bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the front grille and tailgate, accompanied by a more discreet "SPORT" moniker, tied its identity to the larger Bronco lineage. The silver Ford blue oval, subtly placed on the tailgate, added a touch of modesty.

Wheels played a significant role in the Bronco Sport's aesthetics and versatility. The base model sported 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels, while the Big Bend trim featured 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted high-gloss aluminum wheels. Outer Banks upgraded to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels with all-season tires. The Badlands model matched the 18-inch wheels but sported 28.5-inch all-terrain tires. The First Edition model boasted 17-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels with 29-inch all-terrain tires. Customization for wheels and tires was available on lower trims starting at $595.

Inside, the Bronco Sport had a tastefully rugged, uncluttered design. Consistent shapes for the HVAC vents lent a sense of unity to the interior. The center stack featured convenient open storage cubbies and an ideally placed 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector, situated in the center console with two cupholders, added to the vehicle's practical elegance.

From rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protectors to leather-trimmed heated sport-contour bucket seats and Navy Pier Leather power front seats in the First Edition model, the interior trim saw predictable and purposeful upgrades across different models.

In 2022, the Ford Bronco returned with a striking retro design and a go-anywhere attitude that made it immensely popular. Two new range-topping models, the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, enhanced its already enviable lineup. The Bronco’s seven trims offered increasing levels of off-road capabilities corresponding to price increments.

The Bronco’s exterior was unapologetically utilitarian. Short overhangs and low-profile bumpers maximized approach and departure angles, while the tall ride height helped avoid underbody scrapes. Large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate, and modular construction catered to customization, appealing to many enthusiasts.

On the inside, the Bronco’s utilitarian nature continued with marine-grade vinyl upholstery, sealed switches and buttons, and drain plugs in the floor for easy cleaning after muddy ventures. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select drive modes for different terrains such as mud, snow, sand, or boulder crawl.

Moreover, the Bronco did not feel primitive technology-wise. Advanced features included G.O.A.T. modes, a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, a full complement of cameras, and multiple advanced safety features, bridging the gap between rugged capability and modern-day comfort.

At Holly Oaks ORV Park in Michigan, media drives of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport revealed its dual prowess on groomed trails and public roads. It featured 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 of torque for the Badlands and First Edition models. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, complemented by a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes.

On off-road terrains, the Bronco Sport’s 105.1-inch wheelbase, independent suspension, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance (ranging from 7.8 to 8.8 inches depending on wheel size) allowed for seamless handling of obstacles.

However, since most vehicles would likely be used for commuting and family hauling, the on-road performance was equally impressive. The 2.0-liter engine fitted better with the Bronco Sport’s character than the 1.5-liter, which struggled under hard acceleration.

The 2022 Ford Bronco’s performance options included a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual was available for the four-cylinder engine, featuring a unique crawl gear for low-speed high-torque driving, while a 10-speed automatic was available for both engines.

Both engines provided ample power, ensuring the Bronco could tackle almost any terrain. The Bronco's lineup offered varying off-road prowess, from the capable base model to the highly accomplished Wildtrak and Everglades trims. Testing the Everglades model on Drummond Island demonstrated its extraordinary capabilities in deep mud and steep rock climbs, where it could ford water as deep as 36.4 inches.

Impressively, the Bronco also performed well on pavement. Unlike typical off-road vehicles, the Bronco offered precise steering and a smooth ride, making it a suitable companion for longer trips. While there was noticeable wind noise, it wasn't overly intrusive and was offset by the absence of tire howl on the pavement.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport’s cargo space was designed with active buyers in mind, accommodating two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and offering a range of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting various adventure gear. The roof carried up to 150 pounds (100 pounds with a moonroof). The cargo hold was cleverly designed, featuring flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps.

Interior storage was thoughtfully arranged with big door pockets, multiple cubbies, and covered storage compartments for holding gadgets and tools. However, taller drivers might struggle with partial visibility issues due to the roof overhang and hood bulges, necessitating a test drive to assess comfort levels.

The Bronco’s boxy styling contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom, legroom, and lateral space, making it comfortable for most individuals. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some maneuvering, though ample grab handles and side steps helped ease the entry.

Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type. The two-door hard-top model offered 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded, while the four-door hard-top offered 35.6 cubic feet and up to 77.6 cubic feet. Despite the roomy cargo space, the rear seats didn’t fold flat, posing a challenge for larger objects and making it less ideal for sleeping.

Additional storage included large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays. Accessory rails, stowable doors, and removable fender flares enhanced further utility. External hard mounting points, strong anchors above the windshield, and cleats around the headlights provided added flexibility for heavy load-bearing racks and cargo management.

The Bronco Sport integrated Ford’s latest infotainment technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. Standard FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, six-speaker AM/FM stereo, and optional Bang & Olufsen sound systems available on higher trims catered to various user preferences.

Terrain management was equipped with G.O.A.T. modes, with the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims offering five drive modes and the Badlands and First Edition trims adding Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes. These settings optimized steering, transmission, and throttle response for different terrains. Available trail control technology acted as off-road cruise control, allowing the driver to focus on navigation.

Higher trims also included intelligent access with push-button start, heated leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel replacing analog dials.

The 2022 Bronco smartly employed technology to enhance its capabilities while maintaining driver engagement. G.O.A.T. modes for novice drivers and manual settings for experienced off-roaders ensured versatility. A forward-looking trail camera overlaying tire travel lines and the Trail Turn Assist were notable features enhancing off-road confidence and maneuverability.

The Sync 4 infotainment system featured quick responses, sharp graphics, and useful off-road apps. All models included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, paired well with an available wireless charging pad.

Every trim level of the Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, comprising pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a reversing camera. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system on all but the base model.

Trailer sway control and the standard AWD with a terrain management system added to the vehicle’s safety. However, neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had released crash-worthiness ratings for the Bronco Sport.

The standard safety features of the 2022 Bronco included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Additional features like frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams were available on all but the base trim. The premium High and Luxe packages added features like a surround-view camera system and adaptive cruise control.

While the Bronco received good scores from the IIHS for frontal, side, and roof strength tests, its head restraints and seats were rated as “Acceptable.” The NHTSA gave the four-door model a four-star rating for frontal crash protection and both models a three-star rating for rollover protection.