2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Volkswagen Taos

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport marked an exciting prelude to the iconic Bronco’s return and represented a modern, retro off-road aesthetic inspired by the 1966-1996 Bronco lineage. Its design echoed a more rugged and less suburban approach while still offering an everyday driving experience suitable for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport's exterior featured short front and rear overhangs for improved trail driving, tall fender wells, and body sides designed to minimize obstructions from brush and debris encountered off-road. The front grille and tailgate boldly displayed the “BRONCO” name with “SPORT” in smaller letters, and the Ford blue oval logo was discreetly placed on the tailgate. Wheel choices varied with trim levels, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. Base models sported 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels, while the Big Bend featured 17-inch Carbonized Gray aluminum wheels. The Outer Banks advanced to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels with all-season tires, whereas the Badlands and First Edition models included all-terrain tires for off-road capabilities. Interior design in the Bronco Sport was tastefully rugged, characterized by an uncluttered and utilitarian layout, including HVAC vents with repeated unique shapes, multiple convenient open storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen prominently placed. Interior upgrades ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated seats, and rubberized flooring adaptable for various active lifestyles. The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, however, exuded simplicity in its design yet contained detailed intricacies that added to its personality. Offered in S, SE, and SEL trims, the Taos fit well within the VW family lineup. The Cornflower Blue SEL 4Motion test vehicle sported handsome 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, roof rails, dark gray plastic cladding, and simulated skid plates essential in the SUV arena. While generally cohesive, the blacked-out front bumper element between the grille and lower air intake might have seemed less consistent with the overall design language. Inside the Taos, materials were more plasticky, occasionally shiny, slippery, and hollow-sounding, a point of critique that reflected on cost-saving measures. However, the cabin featured strategic soft materials where needed, notably in the SEL's more premium two-tone perforated leather with contrast stitching on seats, dashboard, and door panel inserts.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices across its trim levels, starting with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produced 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, available in Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims. The higher trims, Badlands and First Edition, boasted a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Each model came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, featuring a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for varied terrains. Off-road performance was where the Bronco Sport shined, with its short 105.1-inch wheelbase, MacPherson struts upfront, and a double lateral link rear suspension that provided generous suspension travel and substantial ground clearance—ranging from 7.8 to 8.8 inches depending on tire and wheel size. While on-road, it showcased good manners overall, particularly with the 2.0-liter engine, which was better suited for the sporty character of the vehicle, unlike the somewhat strained 1.5-liter engine. Conversely, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos came exclusively with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 158 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque from just 1,750 rpm. The engine’s torque delivery felt strong but exhibited a noticeable turbo lag, resulting in delayed throttle responses followed by a sudden surge of power. Taos with 4Motion AWD featured a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), providing dynamic performance but at the cost of erratic and occasionally harsh shifts. In contrast, the standard eight-speed automatic transmission offered smoother, consistent behavior but was limited to front-wheel-drive models. The Taos SEL 4Motion in Sport mode allowed more engaging drives by keeping engine revs high in the optimal torque band, supported by responsive steering, effective brakes, and formidable handling. However, at 6.6 inches of ground clearance, the Taos lagged behind competitors like the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek, making its off-road prowess less competitive.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered outstanding utility for outdoor enthusiasts, with cargo space meticulously engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes vertically. Ford boasted a comprehensive accessory catalog to support various active lifestyles, from kayaks to camping gear. Depending on the engine choice, towing capacity ranged between 2,000 pounds for the 1.5-liter engine and up to 2,200 pounds for the 2.0-liter variant. The rear cargo setup included a smart flip-up rear glass and an optional management package with a slide-out work table, 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. Interior storage was abundant, with ample door pockets, cubbies, and covered storage compartments, while the cargo area’s versatility was emphasized by features like the rubberized flooring and seating protectors, evolving with trim-level upgrades. The 2022 Volkswagen Taos stood out with its spacious interior, with roomy front seats featuring extensive track travel and height adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in the SEL trim. Rear seats offered ample legroom and comfort, further enhanced by air conditioning vents for the back passengers. Storage options were generally satisfactory, although the central storage bin felt rather small due to the rear A/C vent alignment. Cargo capacity varied based on drive configuration, offering more space in front-wheel-drive models with 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with seats folded down. In 4Motion AWD format, the cargo volume reduced to 24.9 cubic feet and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively. The inclusion of a center pass-through bolstered the Taos's versatility for trips involving long equipment like skis.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport embraced advanced technology with an 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment touchscreen, standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims also included optional Ford+Alexa, SiriusXM capability, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. Terrain management through G.O.A.T. modes added technological sophistication, adjusting settings for different driving conditions, and trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature helpful for off-road driving. The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured Digital Cockpit instrumentation paired with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen for S trim and an advanced 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software for SE and SEL trims. Standard on all was Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services, with higher trims adding wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM, voice control, and wireless charging. However, the system’s user experience with features like voice recognition and intuitive operation was an area needing improvement. The SEL’s BeatsAudio premium sound system marked a shift from VW’s previous Fender audio systems.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, voice-activated navigation, and road-sign recognition. AWD across all trims contributed to its safety quotient, along with G.O.A.T. modes, traction control, and electronic stability control. The 2022 Volkswagen Taos introduced IQ Drive safety tech, standard or optionally available, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Emergency Assist responded to inactivity from the driver, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop if necessary. The Taos SEL encompassed all these features and more, such as rain-sensing wipers, road sign recognition, and reverse automatic braking.