2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco and 2023 Land Rover Defender both presented strong styling approaches that catered to different tastes and needs.

The 2022 Ford Bronco embodied a rugged retro aesthetic that captivated a wide audience. With its heavy-duty, off-road design cues, it was built to exude an adventurous spirit. The Bronco retained a lineup of seven distinct trims, each offering escalating off-road capabilities in line with their price tags. The most notable of its new models included the Everglades, which was geared towards swamp trekking. It was equipped with features such as a snorkel for deep water fording, a Warn winch, and impressive 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires.

The Bronco’s architecture was strategically designed for optimal off-road performance while presenting a utilitarian and robust image. Its modular construction allowed for extensive customization, and features like large recovery hooks, fender flares, and a tailgate-mounted full-size spare further emphasized its practical capabilities in difficult terrains. The design wasn’t purely for show; practical elements like removable fender flares and sealed switches highlighted its utilitarian focus.

Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme. Marine-grade vinyl upholstery, rubberized switches, and drain plugs emphasized its readiness for post-adventure cleanup. Its G.O.A.T. mode dial, allowing drivers to select terrain-specific settings, exemplified how thoroughly off-road functionality was woven into its design. Additionally, the Bronco did not skimp on technology, with features like a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, and a comprehensive camera suite enhancing user convenience and safety.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender carried a legacy of formidable off-road ability while maintaining a distinguished aura of Old World charm. Although its boxy design harked back to the classic Land Rover LR4, it included contemporary twists. An array of trims and accessories allowed for extensive personalization, from utility-focused accents like ladders and roof racks to the sophisticated aesthetics of the V8 with its blacked-out styling. The Defender’s body styles ranged from the short two-door 90 to the expansive 130, offering versatility to suit diverse needs.

While the Defender’s exterior paid homage to its heritage with features like the dome and faux-metal step plates, its interior strived for durability and function over pure luxury. Despite options for Windsor leather, robust materials like rubber and plastic dominated, ensuring resilience against wear and moisture. However, even with these durable materials, the build quality remained high. The Defender’s design decisions reinforced its hardcore character without compromising its premium brand essence, albeit at a high price tag, especially in the top-tier V8 Carpathian Edition.

Unlike the Bronco, which fused utilitarian and technological features seamlessly, the Defender prioritized off-road performance at the expense of some on-road comfort. While functional and durable, its interior didn’t quite match the poshness expected in a vehicle of its class and price range.

Under the hood, the 2022 Ford Bronco offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and a more muscular turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 producing 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder could be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a specialized crawl gear ideal for low-speed, high-torque applications, or a 10-speed automatic, the only option for the V6. Four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case came standard across the lineup.

In off-road testing, particularly with the Everglades model, the Bronco excelled in handling deep muddy trails, significant water crossings, and steep rock climbs. Its ability to ford water up to 36.4 inches showcased its engineering for severe conditions. Despite the formidable off-road focus, the Bronco maintained commendable on-road behavior, offering a smoother and more precise drive compared to the Jeep Wrangler. Its overall road comfort and steering accuracy made it a viable candidate for long highway journeys, marred only slightly by noticeable wind noise.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was engineered for unparalleled off-road mastery. Testing revealed its exceptional grip, wheel articulation, and ground clearance, with the air suspension significantly enhancing its ability to traverse virtually any trail. Nonetheless, most owners would not exploit its full off-road potential, with features like the Terrain Response 2 system going largely unused in everyday driving.

On-road, the Defender’s Old World charm translated to some awkward dynamics. High friction in the drivetrain, marked body roll, and imprecise steering rendered it clumsy on highways. The braking response, characterized by significant nosedive and long pedal travel, further diminished its on-road appeal. However, the powerful engine lineup, particularly the 518-horsepower supercharged V8 and the 395-horsepower hybridized inline-six, provided strong performance with refined eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The hybrid powertrain's advantage extended to better fuel efficiency, such as 18/23/20 mpg city/highway/combined for the six-cylinder, compared to the V8's more thirsty 14/19/16 mpg ratings. However, the base four-cylinder’s 296 horsepower may feel underwhelming for highway speeds, making the more potent engines the preferable choices.

The 2022 Bronco’s squared styling directly contributed to its spacious and practical interior. With substantial headroom and legroom throughout, it offered exceptional comfort for occupants, though accessing the rear seats in the two-door variant remained a challenge. Depending on the model, cargo space also varied, with the two-door hard top offering 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded down. The four-door variant with a hard top expanded this capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet when folded.

Notably, the Bronco featured innovative storage solutions, such as accessory rails atop the dash, netted door pockets, and an armrest bin. These complemented its off-road readiness, with storage solutions designed for convenience during adventures, such as stowable doors that fit in the cargo area.

In contrast, the 2023 Defender impressed with its remarkable versatility. Offering multiple seating configurations, including a rare six-seat two-door option, the Defender 90 emphasized flexibility. The larger 110 and 130 models extended seating capacities to seven and eight respectively, with the 130’s third row offering amenities unheard of in many SUVs, like a separate moonroof, climate zone, and USB ports.

Cargo capacities varied significantly across models. The 130 maximized space with 77 cubic feet behind the first row, compared to lesser capacities in the 90 and 110, the latter providing 79 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the three-row 110 models provided a more varied capacity depending on the row configuration.

Innovative features such as the fabric roof option and the robust metal roof rack capable of supporting 661 pounds when stationary underscored the Defender’s practical prowess. Such details ensured the Defender catered to both recreational and everyday needs effectively.

The 2022 Bronco efficiently integrated advanced technology tailored for off-road enthusiasts. With the intuitive Sync 4 infotainment system at its core, the Bronco ensured seamless connectivity and utility. Its off-road apps, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration enhanced convenience alongside a wireless charging pad.

One standout feature was the trail camera, which projected tire tracks on a screen to guide drivers over unseen obstacles—a godsend given the Bronco’s elevated ride height. The Trail Turn Assist added further maneuverability in tight spaces, braking an inside wheel to sharpen turns.

The 2023 Defender offered a high-tech experience with its Pivi Pro infotainment system, available in 10-inch and 11.4-inch touchscreen variants. These displays provided quick, intuitive operation, though the larger format was notably more legible. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a plethora of connected apps and navigation aids.

Higher trims enjoyed luxury enhancements such as heated, power-adjustable leather seats, a premium Meridian stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. Additionally, the Defender’s comprehensive camera system provided virtual under-vehicle views, essential for precision off-road navigation.

The 2022 Bronco came standard with essential safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Available driver aids included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, and various parking sensors depending on the package selected.

While the NHTSA gave the four-door model four out of five stars for frontal crashes, its rollover rating was three out of five stars for both body styles. The IIHS accorded it high ratings across various safety aspects, reinforcing its robust crash protection.

The Defender’s safety repertoire included innovative features like a digital instrument panel with map displays, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking as standard. Optional features included a head-up display and a comprehensive 360-degree camera system aiding in meticulous maneuvering. European NCAP tests praised it with a five-star rating for its structural integrity.

However, its standard six-airbag configuration seemed underwhelming compared to the more extensive airbag coverage found in competitors.