2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been a highly anticipated vehicle ever since Ford began teasing the public with its concept back in 2004. When the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was released as a compact crossover, it whetted appetites further by offering standard all-wheel drive and adventure-ready styling inspired by the original Bronco, which first arrived on the scene in 1966 and continued through five generations until 1996. This classic Bronco made its mark with solid off-road capability, becoming a favorite for customizations over the decades.

The new Bronco adopted a design philosophy known as “Retrofuturism,” updating its classic roots for modern and future tastes. This approach brought the latest technology, powertrains, and materials into play, much like the contemporary versions of the Ford Mustang and other retro-inspired vehicles. The result was an SUV that many argued was even cooler than the original.

Up front, the 2021 Bronco featured a single-piece grille with round headlights and bold “B-R-O-N-C-O” lettering. The modest hood bulge and corner-mounted off-road sights added to the rugged appeal, while the body sides offered flat, simple lines accented by applied fender flares. Standard 32-inch tires and optional 35-inch tires with the Sasquatch package underscored its off-road prowess, accompanied by a range of wheel choices from 16-inch steel to 18-inch aluminum, including beadlock-capable options.

The retro theme continued at the back with a full-size spare tire and a side-hinged half tailgate with flip-up back glass, providing an old-school yet functional touch. The Bronco came in both two-door and four-door configurations, with wheelbases of 100.4 inches and 116.1 inches respectively. The two-door models measured between 173.7 to 174.8 inches in length, while the four-door versions ranged from 189.4 to 190.5 inches. Heights varied between 71.9 and 75.3 inches, and widths ranged from 75.9 to 79.3 inches, depending on the trim and equipment.

The options for customization didn't stop at the tires. The Bronco offered a black soft-top or modular removable hardtop, and the eleven paint colors included eye-catching choices like Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Antimatter Blue, and “Area 51,” a unique greenish-gray.

Inside, the 2021 Bronco combined retro styling with modern technology. The dashboard, digitally scanned from the original, housed an 8-inch standard or 12-inch optional touchscreen, digitized gauge clusters, and vertically oriented HVAC outlets that echoed the taillight design. Rugged materials and reinforced metal-heavy use points like grab handles and grippy rubber linings gave the interior a solid and functional feel. The four-door configuration offered comfortable rear seating, while the two-door was a bit less roomy but still manageable for adults, especially when considering outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, part of Ford's "small, medium, large, XL" approach to SUVs, continued the brand's family resemblance. The Explorer could be hard to differentiate from the Edge at first glance, but it maintained a distinctive look within its segment. It featured a sporty, raked beltline and a range of grille styles, from black to full chrome, depending on the six available trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730.

Inside, the three-row seating was standard across trims, with the base model offering cloth upholstery and more upscale trims stepping up to leather. The dashboard housed familiar gauges and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen with large physical controls for easy use. The center console featured a rotary gearshift, freeing up storage space for essentials like a covered bin ahead of the shifter and additional cupholders.

Most buyers gravitated towards the XLT trim, which included better features like a power front passenger seat and upgraded finishes. Higher trims like the Limited added leather upholstery, enhancing the Explorer's comfort and luxury feel.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine choices at launch. The standard engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four with direct injection, producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Buyers could also opt for a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came paired with a seven-speed manual transmission (six gears plus a crawler gear), while the 2.7-liter engine got a 10-speed automatic, which was also optional on the 2.3-liter. Standard across the range was four-wheel drive.

During test drives in Michigan, the Bronco's on-road and off-road performance stood out. On pavement and dirt roads, the Bronco with 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package—a First Edition model—provided a rugged yet somewhat noisy and wiggly ride. The 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission offered smooth power delivery, making it a competent on-road vehicle as well.

Off-road, the Bronco truly shined. A two-door, base-model with the optional 2.7-liter engine and the Sasquatch package tackled challenging terrain effortlessly. Its off-road technologies, traction management, and smart electronics provided excellent grip and balance, making it accessible for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, though weighing in at 4,345 pounds, surprised many with its 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, providing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain outshone competitors like the Kia Telluride's V6, though the Explorer's weight balanced the advantage somewhat. All Explorer trims came with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability.

The Explorer's Limited Hybrid trim added a V6 hybrid drivetrain, bumping power to 310 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 365 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque in most trims, with the sport-oriented ST pushing it up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. While the ST provided an engaging driving experience, full-size three-row SUVs are not typically lauded for sporty performance.

The Explorer's focus leaned more towards towing capabilities. Depending on trim, engine, and package options, it could tow between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds, sufficient for towing significant loads but not leading in its class.

The 2021 Ford Bronco designers clearly focused on modularity, drawing inspiration from both classic Bronco models and the broader off-road market. They provided easily removable and storable doors, complete with protective bags and simple electrical connections. The doors could be stored in the cargo area, each labeled with QR codes linking to video instructions for removal and replacement.

Ford also anticipated the off-road bashing Bronco owners would subject their vehicles to, equipping the SUV with standard chassis protection and optional skid plates. The fenders and bumpers were designed to be easily removable for quick repair or replacement, while the one-piece front grille allowed for straightforward upgrades or repairs.

The Bronco’s hood featured clever trail sights at its corners, which served as tie-down points for roof-mounted cargo. Inside, practical touches included a row of buttons on the center stack for differential and suspension settings, and overhead toggle switches for auxiliary equipment, emphasizing thoughtful design and problem-solving.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Explorer offered a more conventional, family-oriented interior. The base model accommodated seven passengers, while higher trims with captain's chairs in the second row reduced seating to six. The Explorer boasted 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, a competitive figure in its class.

With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided an impressive 21 cubic feet of cargo space. However, with the seats folded, the total cargo volume was 81 cubic feet, trailing behind some competitors in the segment and even smaller SUVs. In practical terms, the Explorer excelled in passenger comfort but lagged slightly in overall cargo capacity compared to its class.

The 2021 Ford Bronco had a user-friendly center console featuring a gear selector lever and a rotary control for the off-road traction system, known as G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Terrain). Base models included five G.O.A.T. modes, with up to seven available on higher trims, offering a versatile terrain control system.

The Bronco used Ford’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment interface, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard and a 12-inch option with the High Package. Upgrading to the Lux Package offered a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated navigation, and wireless device charging.

Practical features like push-button start, a proximity key entry system, a rear-view camera with backup assist, and auto high-beam headlamps were included in higher package options. Off-road focused Bilstein shock absorbers were part of the Sasquatch Package, enhancing off-road performance.

Similarly, the 2021 Ford Explorer featured a robust tech suite starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on base models, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims provided upgrades like a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

Charging access came from two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, upgraded to a 110-volt AC outlet on the ST and available on the Limited. Higher trims also included a wireless charging pad mounted in the center console, ensuring connectivity and convenience for all passengers.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered a range of safety features depending on the trim level. Base models included basic safety features and airbags, while the Big Bend and Black Diamond trims could add the Mid Package, featuring a reverse sensing system, Ford Co-Pilot360 with pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping system, auto high-beam headlamps, and a rear-view camera with grid lines.

Higher trims like Outer Banks, Wildtrak, and Badlands with the High Package added a 360-degree camera, forward-sensing system, and side-view mirror LED approach lamps. Innovative side curtain airbags that accounted for off-roading scenarios were also a part of the Bronco's safety design. At the time, neither the NHTSA nor IIHS had released crash-test ratings for the Bronco.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford Explorer earned the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ designation, achieving top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights.

The Explorer excelled in offering standard advanced safety features like the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims added Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist, forward sensing, rain-sensing wipers, and speed sign recognition.