2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport captivated attention with a modern retro aesthetic that blended nostalgia with contemporary design. Its styling options aimed to attract both daily drivers and weekend adventurers. The Bronco Sport’s exterior echoed design elements from its big sibling, the classic Bronco. Key features included a short front overhang for optimal approach angle and tall fender wells for trail readiness. The front grille and tailgate boldly displayed “BRONCO” in white lettering, with the modest “SPORT” nestled below. The Ford blue oval made a single, reserved appearance on the tailgate.

Wheel options varied across trims: the Base model had 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels, while the Big Bend featured 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted high-gloss aluminum wheels. The Outer Banks trim upped the style quotient with 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels, while the Badlands sported 17-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels with 28.5-inch all-terrain tires. The First Edition model featured similar wheels but with 29-inch all-terrain tires.

Inside, the Bronco Sport maintained a rugged yet tasteful design. HVAC vents, the center stack with open storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen created a cohesive cabin look. Higher trims offered leather-trimmed and heated sport contour seats, Navy Pier Leather seats in the First Edition, and varied flooring from rubberized cargo floor to carpeted mats.

The 2022 Subaru Forester carried a utilitarian design focused on practicality over style. Test driving through Oregon's Cascade Mountains, the Forester Wilderness stood out with its suspension lift, offering 9.2 inches of ground clearance. Protective cladding and anti-glare matte-black hood decals added to the rugged appearance but didn’t enhance aesthetic appeal.

Inside, the Forester featured a blend of hard plastic and softer surfaces. Copper-colored stitching and accents highlighted the interior. The emphasis was on functionality with a water-resistant StarTex simulated leather upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The Forester’s tall seating allowed ease of entry and exit, especially beneficial in the Wilderness trim where adventure readiness was paramount.

Ford's 2021 Bronco Sport showcased versatility across terrains. At Holly Oaks ORV Park in Michigan, it delivered impressive off-road performances. Two engine choices were available: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder delivering 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 with 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft for the Badlands and First Edition models. Both engine variants were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Bronco Sport boasted a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Type of Terrain) modes, enhancing its adaptability on various surfaces.

On-road manners were commendable, though the 1.5-liter engine felt a bit strained under pressure. The 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the vehicle’s adventurous persona, confidently handling both trails and highways.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, without its turbocharger update, continued with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, the Forester’s performance was adequate at sea level, though it struggled at higher altitudes. The CVT design in the Wilderness model provided a 25% increase in initial torque and improved off-the-line feel. The Wilderness trim also doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds.

Fuel economy was a highlight, with the Wilderness averaging 25.9 mpg in combined driving. Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode system, with enhanced hill descent capabilities and improved suspension settings, offered better ride and handling. The Forester Wilderness proved itself on both paved and unpaved roads, effortlessly navigating snow, mud, and off-road obstacles with a reassuring sturdiness.

Delivering beyond expectations, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered features aimed at active buyers. It could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes in the cargo area, thanks to its thoughtful design. With over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories available, the Bronco Sport was well-suited for transporting various outdoor gear. The roof supported 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof) and towing capacities were 2,200 pounds for the 2.0-liter engine and 2,000 pounds for the 1.5-liter engine.

Unique features included a rear glass that flipped up, a cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The driving position offered good visibility, though taller drivers might find spotting traffic lights challenging due to the roof overhang.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized ease of use and practicality. Entry and exit were simplified by tall seating hip points, ideal for minimizing strain on the knees. The Forester Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery and a variety of washable surfaces, including all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and rear seatback material. Roof rails could support a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, accommodating a roof tent for camping.

The cabin provided ample comfort, with tall seating and excellent visibility. Rear seat passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. While storage was decent, the Forester lacked a dashboard shelf or shallow tray for additional small items. Cargo capacity was 28.9 cubic feet without a sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the seats folded (69.1 with a sunroof).

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the latest tech offerings. Its 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3 supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, as was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers. Higher trims could opt for a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera with split view and washer. G.O.A.T. modes tailored the vehicle's settings to various driving conditions, aiding off-road adventures with features like trail control technology for managing speeds.

Push-button start, heated, and leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a digital instrument panel were available in the higher trims. The Bronco Sport’s tech package was designed to enhance both daily driving and off-road excursions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen, adding navigation, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed outdoor enthusiasts to leave their key fob in the vehicle and re-enter using a PIN code.

The Harman Kardon audio system impressed with clear sound quality, and while the navigation system was useful, a breadcrumb feature would have been beneficial for off-road navigation. Despite some voice recognition issues, the Forester's tech suite provided a robust experience for both urban and outdoor adventures.

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 available Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, navigation, and road-sign recognition. AWD and the terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes further bolstered safety. As of this writing, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system with an improved field of vision and smoother operation. The system included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Wilderness trim added Automatic Emergency Steering, enhancing stability during sudden maneuvers.

Additional safety features consisted of blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus technology, detecting drowsiness and distraction and adding gesture control for climate adjustments. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, with the IIHS rating expected to follow the 2021 model's “Top Safety Pick+” status.