2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which dated back to the original Land Rover Series I from 1948. The Defender's design evolved through the Series II, Series III, and the Land Rover 90 and 110, before adopting the Defender name in 1990. Despite minor changes, the original Defender maintained its distinctive look until 2016, characterized by round headlamps, a boxy cabin, and a flat windshield. The new Defender aimed to echo this timeless cool while modernizing the SUV. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with diamond-plate patterns. The spare tire was mounted on the side-hinged tailgate, and the SUV had short overhangs that made it look capable of tackling any obstacle. Inside, the Defender showcased an exposed structure theme, with a dash held between horizontal beams, beefy controls, and luxury-comfortable leather seating. The interior felt authentic and high-quality, with real metal and leather surfaces. The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, quickly became a sought-after vehicle. It offered a deep lineup, including the new Everglades model, designed for swamp trekking with features like an intake snorkel and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. It featured large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate. Inside, the Bronco continued the utilitarian theme with sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco offered advanced technology, including a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen. It excelled both off-road and on pavement, with a smoother ride and better road manners than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful option was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender boasted impressive off-road specs, including a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On the road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. The Defender impressed with its driving character, offering a comfortable ride on highways and excellent maneuverability in city driving. The 2022 Ford Bronco's base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine was available with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the V6 came with a 10-speed automatic. All Broncos featured four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled off-road, with models like the Wildtrak and Everglades conquering challenging terrains. The Everglades model, tested on Drummond Island, handled deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and rock climbs with ease. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better steering than typical off-road vehicles, making it a great road trip companion. The only minor complaint was wind noise on the highway, but overall, the Bronco impressed with its versatility and performance.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. It featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space varied, with the 110 model offering 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door 90 model had 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats. The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior. It offered ample headroom and legroom, even for tall passengers. The two-door model required some effort to access the rear seats, but the four-door model provided easier access. Cargo capacity varied, with the two-door hard top offering 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions, including large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and accessory rails. External hard mounting points and removable fender flares added to its utility.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. It featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, aided off-roading. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available. The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes allowed drivers to select optimized settings for different terrains. A forward-looking trail camera provided confidence by showing the path ahead. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a wireless charging pad was available.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. It underwent extensive durability testing but had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, front parking sensors, surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The four-door Bronco received four-out-of-five stars for frontal crash protection from NHTSA and three-out-of-five stars for rollover protection. IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings for frontal, side, and roof strength tests and "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.