2022 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices spanning from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim for 2021 added features like black 20-inch alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging.

The Black Edition, which we tested, came fully loaded with a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, bringing the total to $51,435. It featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting. However, the black floor mats were a hassle to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which, along with its drab exterior, did not do the Pilot any favors.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was a highly sought-after vehicle. It returned with two new top-tier models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model was designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. However, the 2022 models were already sold out. Buyers could choose between two- and four-door body styles, four- or six-cylinder engines, and various roof options.

The Bronco's design was dictated by its off-road mission, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. It featured large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare, and modular construction for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco continued its utilitarian theme with marine-grade vinyl upholstery, drain plugs, and rubberized controls. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific terrain settings, enhancing its off-road prowess. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels unless equipped with the optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The AWD system could direct up to 70% of the engine's output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot featured Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD model. Our test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg.

The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling. The torque-vectoring AWD system, 20-inch wheels, and excellent visibility contributed to the fun on pavement. The steering was well-weighted and responsive, and the brakes were properly calibrated, though they did heat up and vibrate with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by the Pilot's 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires, making it suitable for minor off-road situations but not for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine could be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a crawl gear for low-speed driving, or a 10-speed automatic. The V6 was only available with the 10-speed automatic. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

Both engines delivered ample power, with the V6 offering a slight edge. The Bronco's off-road prowess varied by trim, but even the base model could handle challenging terrain. The Wildtrak and Everglades trims were particularly capable, with the Everglades model excelling in mud and water crossings. On Drummond Island, the Everglades handled deep-rutted trails, water crossings, and rock climbs with ease. It could ford water up to 36.4 inches deep and featured a winch for extreme situations.

On pavement, the Bronco impressed with its precise steering and smooth ride, outperforming its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco tracked straight on highways and offered a more comfortable ride, making it a better road trip companion. Wind noise was present but not intrusive, and the absence of tire howl added to the Bronco's overall appeal.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle featured leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly the same comfort as the front seats. These chairs were also heated and could slide forward for easier third-row access. The test vehicle included side window shades, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation available on higher trims. The cargo area offered 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design maximized interior space, providing ample headroom and legroom for all passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps helped. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with them folded. The soft top added slightly more space.

The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, and a rubberized phone tray. Accessory rails atop the dash allowed for secure storage of items like action cameras. The Bronco also offered stowable doors that fit in the cargo area, eliminating the need to leave them behind. External hard mounting points and hidden anchors supported heavy racks or light bars, while cleats above the headlights provided additional utility.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. Voice recognition required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature.

The 2022 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrain, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. A forward-looking trail camera with overlay lines helped navigate obstacles, and Trail Turn Assist allowed for sharper turns in tight spaces. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system was responsive, with sharp graphics and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an available wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim and higher added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing worked but lacked refinement. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings for frontal, side, and roof strength tests, and an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.