2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that embraced a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of its larger sibling, the Bronco. It featured a frameless design, making it more suitable for urban environments while still being ready for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport's exterior design was characterized by its short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, all of which were tailored for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the modest Ford badge, added to its rugged appeal. The SUV's wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks and Badlands models, with options for all-terrain tires.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior with an uncluttered design. The cabin featured unique HVAC vent shapes, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. Interior trim levels varied from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition boasting Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The vehicle also offered practical features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector, catering to the needs of active buyers.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS presented a more subtle and refined appearance, especially in its base GLS 450 form. It avoided the flashy chrome elements seen in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Land Rover Range Rover. The AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions, however, offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. The GLS interior was luxurious, with options for reclining rear seats in the Maybach model and performance-oriented features in the AMG version. The standard interior included leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting, creating a high-quality feel.

The GLS 450's interior was equipped with a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed under one piece of glass, providing a sleek and modern look. While the interior was luxurious, some ergonomic issues were noted, such as the touchscreen being difficult to reach and the center console's grab handles lacking a clear purpose. Despite these minor drawbacks, the GLS offered a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, making it a capable adventure vehicle.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This setup produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque available from the electric motor in short bursts. The GLS 450's inline-six engine provided smooth and ample power, making it a suitable choice for a luxury SUV. However, the suspension's lack of refinement was noted, as it exhibited poor body control over bumps and leaned excessively in corners. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features beyond the typical compact crossover. Its cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a catalog of over 100 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, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter, enhancing its practicality. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, although some visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the second-row bench with captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, and the bench seat could slide as one piece, increasing legroom. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. While cargo space was slightly behind competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, the GLS made loading and unloading easy with power-folding seats and a power tailgate. Some ergonomic issues were noted, such as the touchscreen being difficult to reach and the sun visors not adequately blocking the sun.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a standard FordConnect 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, and trail control technology provided additional off-road assistance. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims included heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display available as an option. The MBUX system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, and steering wheel touchpads. While the voice recognition system was praised for its ease of use, the touchpad controller was found to be overly sensitive. The GLS lacked the augmented-reality navigation feature found in the S-Class sedan, and the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, and more. All Bronco Sport models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing traction and stability. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Despite the extensive safety features, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.