2022 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the past with its modern retro design, reminiscent of the classic Bronco. It was a unibody crossover that combined rugged styling with everyday practicality, making it suitable for both urban commutes and weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a short front overhang for improved approach angles and tall fender wells designed for trail driving. Its exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The SUV offered a range of wheel options, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks and Badlands models. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior with an 8-inch infotainment screen, rotary gear selector, and a variety of seating options, from cloth to leather-trimmed sport-contour bucket seats.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, but it distinguished itself with a unique front-end design featuring the Infiniti grille. The QX80's exterior was enhanced by LED lighting and tasteful chrome accents, along with stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels on higher trims. Inside, the QX80 offered a spacious cabin with upscale materials, including quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats and tasteful wood trim. Despite its luxurious interior, the QX80's design was beginning to show its age compared to newer competitors. The SUV provided a comfortable and attractive environment, but it struggled to meet the high expectations of the premium full-size SUV market.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque for the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque for the Badlands and First Edition models. All models featured 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 a comfortable on-road experience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth and linear power. The QX80 offered both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options, with a computer-controlled transfer case for 4WD models. It had a generous towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and managed to control body lean well during cornering, thanks to the available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system. However, the QX80's V8 was notably thirsty, and it required premium fuel.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a 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 vehicle offered a towing capacity of up to 2,200 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine. The interior featured smart storage solutions, but some drivers found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, but it offered a spacious and airy cabin with good front-seat head- and legroom. The SUV could accommodate up to eight passengers with an optional second-row bench seat, though the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The QX80 featured a power-sliding moonroof and illuminated kick plates, adding a premium touch to the interior.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A Bose 13-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series system on the Sensory trim. The QX80 also included a wireless smartphone charger and a dual-screen rear entertainment system, though it lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system.

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 and other advanced features. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. However, crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety items included driver attention alert and front knee airbags. The QX80 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA, while the structurally similar 2021 model received four stars for overall crash protection.