2021 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a full-size SUV that balanced ruggedness with refinement, positioning itself between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the General Motors lineup. The redesigned Yukon came in standard and extended-length body styles, with trim levels including SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The AT4 trim was new for 2021, designed for off-road adventures with features like an improved approach angle, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. However, the Denali trim was the most popular, offering a luxurious experience with a unique dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and a panoramic sunroof. The Yukon Denali Ultimate, priced at $83,720, stood out with its intricate grillework, chrome lower body trim, and appealing rear styling.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the upcoming Bronco, was a unibody crossover designed for both suburban life and weekend adventures. It featured a modern retro look reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs for better approach angles and tall fender wells for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's design included bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model. The interior was rugged yet uncluttered, with an 8-inch infotainment screen, rotary gear selector, and various storage compartments.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options. The standard engine for all trims except the Denali was a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. The Denali featured a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, providing robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble. A 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine was also set to be available for all trims except the AT4. The Denali's 6.2-liter V8, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivered 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. However, fuel economy was not its strong suit, with an average of 14.4 mpg on a testing loop and EPA ratings of 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined for the 4WD model.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims 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 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it offered good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine being better suited to its character.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, significantly improving passenger and cargo space. The front seats, though supportive, lacked a massage function and had hard upper door panel edges. The second-row seats slid and collapsed to fold flat, enhancing comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat provided actual thigh support, making it comfortable for adults. Cargo volume was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered clever features for active buyers, such as cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting various gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate Package offered a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included wireless device charging, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system, and a Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also had Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Higher trims also offered a 360-degree camera with split view and a washer.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward collision warning, daytime pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Starting with SLT trim, the Yukon added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS operated smoothly, making the Yukon a safe and comfortable vehicle for long drives.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured 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 Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. All Bronco Sport models had AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing traction and stability.