2021 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been highly anticipated by the public since Ford revealed the Bronco Concept vehicle in 2004. Enthusiasm peaked with the release of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact crossover SUV with standard all-wheel drive and rugged aesthetics. Influenced by the original model first launched in 1966 and produced until 1996, the new Ford Bronco embraced a “Retrofuturism” design philosophy, blending classic looks with modern technology. The single-piece grille, round headlights, and bold Bronco lettering created a striking front appearance, while 32- and 35-inch tires provided a muscular stance. The vehicle offered a choice of a two-door model with a 100.4-inch wheelbase or a four-door version stretching to 116.1 inches. Body dimensions varied with trim levels. Ford also introduced modular, removable hardtops and soft-tops—in eleven colors—making the Bronco highly customizable.

Inside, the Bronco mixed retro styling with advanced features, housing an 8-inch or optional 12-inch color touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. Rugged materials and practical features like stretchy mesh door pockets, metal-reinforced grab handles, and seats designed for comfort reinforced its off-road ethos. In four-door models, rear seats provided ample comfort even for three adults, while two-door versions were a bit tighter but still acceptable for adult passengers.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, available in no fewer than eight trim versions ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, retained a classic SUV look rather than heavily relying on retro influences. Among its latest trims were the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch, with our test vehicle being the high-end King Ranch.

Exterior design on the Explorer showcased a long, tall hood, short front overhang, and a high bodyside character line for a clean, athletic look. Its blackout roof pillars, creating a floating roof effect, elevated the visual appeal. The King Ranch trim showed its premium status through exclusive features like Del Rio leather with lasso-perforated inserts and unique King Ranch branding throughout the cabin.

Nevertheless, the use of materials within the Explorer’s cabin was a mixed bag. While it mostly felt worthy of its sticker price nearing $60,000, some components reminded drivers of more basic Explorer trims, slightly detracting from its overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine choices at launch: a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 generating 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The smaller engine was paired with a seven-speed manual transmission, including a crawler gear, while the larger engine came with a 10-speed automatic that was also optional for the 2.3-liter engine. All Bronco models were equipped with standard four-wheel drive.

In testing, the Bronco showed diverse capabilities. On pavement and dirt roads, it exhibited the character of an off-road truck, leading to a noisy and slightly unsettled ride due to its robust 35-inch tires. However, the 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission provided sufficient power and smooth delivery for everyday driving. Its off-road capabilities impressed with its balance, traction, and smart electronics.

On the other hand, the 2022 Ford Explorer had three available powertrains. The Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and had optional four-wheel drive. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

The Explorer Limited trim had an efficient hybrid option based on a 3.3-liter V6, generating a combined 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 5,000 pounds, and delivering a combined 27 mpg. For those prioritizing power, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, standard in ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, produced 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. It could tow up to 5,600 pounds but compromised some efficiency with 21 mpg in combined driving.

Our test vehicle, a King Ranch with the twin-turbo V6, proved robust with ample power and a satisfying exhaust note. It felt more SUV-like than crossovers, maintaining poise over bumps and handling off-road terrain respectfully with a Trail setting. Daily driving reflected athleticism, and it excelled in off-road settings, providing substantial ground clearance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's modularity stood out, allowing owners to remove doors easily with dedicated storage bags. Features like under-chassis protection, removable fenders, and bumpers emphasized practicality. Inside, clever switch placements ensured user convenience during off-road trials. Cargo capacity in the Bronco’s four-door variant was ample, adding to its versatility.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, especially in the King Ranch trim, aimed for comfort with features like triple-zone climate control and even massaging front seats. However, the third-row seat was limited in usability for adults. The Explorer also lagged in practical cabin storage, missing opportunities for additional pockets or hooks. In the King Ranch, a hands-free power liftgate opened to 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space, extending to 47.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats flattened and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down—more than what the Bronco could offer, thereby making it more family-oriented.

The 2021 Ford Bronco boasted SYNC 4 infotainment with an 8-inch or upgradable to a 12-inch touchscreen. Its G.O.A.T system offered up to seven drive modes, seamlessly adapting on and off-road situations. Higher trims added a 10-speaker B&O sound system and wireless charging pad, ensuring a technologically adept ride.

The 2022 Ford Explorer had the older SYNC 3 system with an option of an 8-inch or a less integrated-looking 10.1-inch touchscreen. Our King Ranch test vehicle included advanced features like a 14-speaker B&O sound system and wireless charging. However, the voice recognition and navigation features on the SYNC 3 fell short, struggling with basic commands, unlike the Bronco’s more modern interface. The Explorer also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Active Park Assist 2.0.

Ford included a tiered approach to safety in the Bronco, starting with basic airbags on the Base trim and progressively adding features like pre-collision assist, lane-keeping systems, and a 360-degree camera on higher trims like the Outer Banks and Wildtrak. Side curtain airbags were designed to deploy intelligently during off-road incidents, increasing safety without compromising capability. At the time, neither NHTSA nor IIHS had released crash-test ratings for the Bronco.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ across all trims, indicating comprehensive safety. While NHTSA ratings were incomplete for 2022, it had consistent five-star ratings from 2021 except for rollover resistance. The Explorer featured Ford Co-Pilot360 with standard driver-assist technologies like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added advanced features enhancing overall safety and ease-of-use, although occasionally its steering alerts were overly sensitive.