2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport had garnered significant attention with its modern retro look, paying homage to the original 1966 – 1996 Bronco series. It was designed as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated big Bronco, focusing on a more suburban, everyday driving experience while being weekend-adventure ready. The Bronco Sport's exterior featured distinct styling cues reminiscent of its larger counterpart, including a short front overhang and tall fender wells perfect for trail driving. Notably, the vehicle sported bold "BRONCO" lettering on the front grille and tailgate, with only a modest Ford blue oval badge on the tailgate. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks trim, adding a significant aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful design. The HVAC vents had a unique shape that tied the interior together, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies topped with an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and two cupholders found a place in the center console. Interior trims ranged from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats depending on the model, with various flooring options to suit practical usage. In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, having evolved significantly since its debut in 1996, presented a more conventional look for crossover SUVs. Nonetheless, angular flourishes and crisp lines gave it a distinct presence. The RAV4’s exterior featured expressive headlights, a snub-nosed grille, and a grinning lower fascia that imparted a playful yet aggressive demeanor. The traditional Toyota fit-and-finish ensured a feel of quality throughout the exterior. The interior of the RAV4 showcased a layered dashboard with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated center stack with a touchscreen mounted at the dash's center. The cabin further tied its design through circuit-board-inspired geometric patterns, repeated from seat inserts to sill plates and other dash elements. The Adventure-trim test vehicle reflected an alignment between exterior and interior design cues, maintaining a cohesive and quality feel throughout.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to its trims. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks models featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims came with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system boasting up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. During off-road testing, the Bronco Sport proved surprisingly capable, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. Conversely, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 presented three powertrains. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, resulting in a combined net horsepower of 217, and an eCVT that channeled power to all four wheels. The standout RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid came equipped with a 2.5-liter engine and an 18.1-kWh battery pack, producing 302 horsepower and standard AWD, with an eCVT setup. The RAV4 also offered commendable fuel efficiency, with the Prime model capable of running 42 miles on electricity alone. The RAV4 retained exceptional car-like handling owing to its four-wheel independent suspension setup and dynamic torque vectoring in AWD models.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport delivered practical and clever features aimed at active buyers. It was designed to accommodate up to two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes in its cargo space and had over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories to support a variety of active lifestyles. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof). The cargo hold included smart features like a fold-up rear glass, an optional slide-out work table, and liftgate floodlamps. Towing capabilities varied, with the 2.0-liter engine models towing up to 2,200 pounds and the 1.5-liter engine models up to 2,000 pounds. The 2022 Toyota RAV4, though still classified as a small SUV, offered generous cargo space with 37.5 cubic feet behind its second row and up to 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. Depending on the configuration, the RAV4 had a payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds. The LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trims could tow up to 1,500 pounds, while Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims managed up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 provided ample room for passengers and their belongings, with plenty of legroom, hip room, and headroom in the front row, and extensive storage options throughout the cabin, including a roomy glove compartment and covered storage beneath the center armrest.

Ford ensured the 2021 Bronco Sport was well-equipped with modern technology, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen connected to SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also featured Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE hotspot came standard, and higher trim levels offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The G.O.A.T. modes tailored the Bronco Sport’s settings for various terrains, and intelligent access with a push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with robust technology at every trim level. Standard features included a 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, and compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims like the RAV4 Prime received advanced features such as a 9-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a bird’s-eye view camera system. Additional conveniences in the Prime model included multiple USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, blue ambient illumination, and a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, which included pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and evasive steering assist. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 featured the Star Safety System with vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, and smart stop technology. It included LATCH child-seat anchors, Safety Connect services, eight airbags, and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite. This suite offered a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alerts, and more. The RAV4 was recognized for its safety with top ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.