2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the iconic 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 minimal adornment, making it suitable for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with the modest Ford blue oval badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet uncluttered interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed options, catering to different preferences.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold front styling with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. The Outlander was available in multiple trim levels, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The SEL trim, equipped with the Touring Package, offered a luxurious interior with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents. While some interior plastics reminded of its segment, Mitsubishi avoided using obviously inexpensive materials. The Outlander aimed to provide a balanced and appealing design, both inside and out.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, with the Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featuring a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 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, 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. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, with the 2.0-liter engine being better suited to its character.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The Outlander provided multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. While the Outlander felt responsive in urban environments, it lacked the power needed for confident highway acceleration. The steering was vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a less comfortable ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, slightly below its EPA rating.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space capable of holding two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It had a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo area featured 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 visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats and steering wheel. The controls were intuitive, and the displays, including the digital instrumentation and HUD, were impressive. However, the center console lacked storage space. The rear seat was spacious and comfortable, with the ability to slide for more cargo room. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. The Outlander offered 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use, expanding to 79.7 cubic feet with the seats 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 had a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included multiple G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and higher trims featured a digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect, and wireless smartphone charging. The 10-speaker Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All models had AWD and a terrain management system for enhanced safety. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, offering Level 2 driver assistance. It included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The steering assistance could be intrusive, but Mi-Pilot Assist worked smoothly. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.