2023 BMW X7 vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco boasted an attractive retro styling, firmly rooted in its history while exuding a modern go-anywhere attitude. Following its successful debut, the Bronco returned with two new high-end models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades trim was designed for swamp trekking and deep water fording, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. This added to the already robust lineup, making it available in seven distinct trims.

The Bronco's exterior design reflected its utilitarian purpose with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, tall ride height, and rugged features like large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and a modular construction that facilitated easy customization. Inside, the Bronco remained practical and durable, offering marine-grade vinyl upholstery, sealed switches, buttons, drain plugs in the floor, and large rubberized toggle switches and buttons. The G.O.A.T. mode dial on the center console simplified selecting drive settings for various terrains.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW X7 received a significant mid-cycle makeover that accentuated its bold design. The most noticeable changes were at the front, incorporating LED accent lights where the previous headlights were, and tucking the actual headlights in a recessed position. The X7's oversized kidney grille continued to be a polarizing feature. The bold styling received mixed reviews, with some critics questioning its cohesiveness. However, shoppers could choose between two design themes: the base Design Pure Excellence model with chrome exterior trim and the M Sport model with a dark, sinister finish.

The interior of the X7 also saw refinements, including a curved sheet of glass housing the digital instrument panel and central infotainment touchscreen. A more elemental dashboard design, a toggle switch-like gear selector, and high-quality materials such as supple leather upholstery and Sensafin synthetic substitutes provided a luxurious feel. While some interior trim choices, like glossy wood and carbon fiber, caused annoying sun reflections, matte and open-pore wood alternatives avoided such issues and added warmth to the cabin.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with two engine choices. The base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine offered 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine was available with a seven-speed manual transmission featuring a unique crawl gear for low-speed torque. The V6 engine came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was also an option for the four-cylinder engine. All Broncos were equipped with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

The Bronco's powertrains provided ample power for various settings, with impressive off-road prowess across its lineup. Testing the Everglades trim on challenging terrains like Drummond Island showcased its ability to handle deep rutted muddy trails, water crossings up to 36.4 inches, and steep rock climbs with ease. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Bronco performed well on paved roads, delivering a smoother and more comfortable ride than competitors like the Jeep Wrangler. The only notable complaint was the amount of wind noise on the highway.

For the 2023 BMW X7, the base xDrive40i model started with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing a combined output of 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase of 40 horsepower and 52 pound-feet from the previous year's engine. BMW claimed a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for this all-wheel-drive powertrain. The X7 M60i model came with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, also with a 48-volt hybrid system, generating 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well, with the V8 engine delivering potent acceleration. The six-cylinder engine was adequate for most drivers but lacked the V8's smoothness and effortless performance. Handling was limited due to the X7's weight and ride height, but body roll was managed well, and the ride remained comfortable, albeit slightly firmer than some other luxury SUVs. The firmer ride exemplified BMW’s commitment to an engaging driving experience while maintaining a balance of performance and comfort.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's iconic squared-off styling translated to abundant interior space, providing ample headroom and legroom for tall passengers. The higher-riding trims required some effort to enter, but grab handles and side steps facilitated access. Rear-seat access in the two-door model was a bit awkward, but the four-door model offered easier ingress. The Bronco's cargo space varied by model and roof type. The two-door hard top provided 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top offered 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, and a rubberized phone tray. Accessories like stowable doors and removable fender flares added to its practicality. External hard mounting points, hidden anchors atop the windshield, and cleats above the headlights provided additional utility for off-road enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the 2023 BMW X7 offered abundant space, particularly in the second row, where taller passengers could sit comfortably. The large sunroof and windows enhanced the airy feeling. Accessing the third row was made easier with power-operated middle-row seats, but once there, average-sized adults found adequate head- and legroom, though thigh support was limited.

Cargo capacity in the X7 varied with the seating configuration. With the third row up, it offered 12.8 cubic feet of space, enough for several suitcases. Folding the third row increased capacity to 48.6 cubic feet, and folding the second row expanded it to 90.4 cubic feet. The X7 featured a split tailgate that prevented items from rolling out and served as a convenient bench or loading assist. Interior storage options included a large covered center console bin, cupholders, and sizable door pockets.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while maintaining driver engagement. The G.O.A.T. modes provided off-road confidence by selecting optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrain. Seasoned off-roaders could manually set their preferences. The forward-looking trail camera displayed tire travel lines, aiding navigation over challenging terrain. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharper turns in tight spaces.

The Bronco’s Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration came as standard, complementing the available wireless charging pad.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW X7 introduced the latest iDrive infotainment system, which received mixed reviews. While basic functions like temperature adjustments and audio controls were straightforward, more complex functions required navigating through the infotainment screen. The elimination of many physical buttons led to longer, more complicated interactions for features like seat heating and adaptive cruise control adjustments. BMW attempted to address these issues with voice commands, but they were slow and interrupted media playback. This design shift showed the merits of voice controls for navigation and texting, but it highlighted the need for more intuitive menus and physical buttons for commonly used features.

Standard safety features on the 2022 Ford Bronco included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features like 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. These systems performed reliably without false alarms. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection, while the IIHS gave it the highest rating of "Good" in most tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.

For the 2023 BMW X7, standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The X7 M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, with options for adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward cross-traffic alerts, and a semi-automated parking function. The highway driving assist feature was especially appreciated for reducing driver fatigue on long trips. All safety features functioned as expected without false alarms, but official NHTSA and IIHS crash test results were unavailable.