2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco stood out with its attractive retro styling reminiscent of its illustrious past. Rugged and ready for adventure, this vehicle catered to the off-road enthusiast with features like an intake snorkel, Warn winch, and massive 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires in its new Everglades model. The Bronco lineup was diverse, with seven distinct trims offering varying degrees of off-road prowess. Unfortunately, demand was so high that the 2022 models were sold out quickly.

Prospective buyers could choose between a two-door or four-door body style, with options for a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine. The choice extended to removable roofs, with either a soft or hard-top, and an exciting range of paint colors. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height for increased ground clearance. These features, combined with large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate, emphasized its off-road capabilities. The interior continued this rugged theme, with sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning after a muddy adventure.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design ethos. While this meant sleek lines and a clean finish, it lacked the flamboyance some luxury SUV buyers might expect. Factory options for flashiness were limited to a bright Firenze Red paint and 23-inch diamond-turned wheels. The test vehicle's Eiger Gray paint with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack exuded understated elegance, further complemented by the Deep Garnet and Ebony interior theme adorned with aluminum and shiny black trim.

Land Rover's attention to detail was evident in the Range Rover Sport’s features, including premium LED headlights with the slimmest design ever for a Land Rover, deployable flush door handles, and surface LED technology taillights. The vehicle’s aerodynamics were exceptional, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.29, reinforcing its sleek and modern design language. Inside, the use of sustainable Ultrafabrics alongside Windsor leather upholstery highlighted luxury and sophistication.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered robust performance with its base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.7-liter V6 increased the output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual, featuring a unique crawl gear for low-speed, high-torque climbing, was available exclusively on the four-cylinder engine. The 10-speed automatic transmission was mandatory for the V6, with an option for the four-cylinder. All Broncos came standard with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

In practical testing, the Bronco proved its mettle on rugged terrains. The Everglades model was a standout, effortlessly navigating deep-rutted trails, water crossings up to 36.4 inches, and steep rock climbs without a hitch. On pavement, the Bronco outperformed expectations for off-road vehicles, offering superior steering precision and ride comfort compared to its direct competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. Minimal wind noise and absence of tire howl further enhanced its on-road driving experience, making it a versatile choice for both off-road adventures and everyday driving.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver engagement. Its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine came in two versions: a 355 hp, 369 lb-ft configuration for the SE P360, and a 395 hp, 406 lb-ft setup for the SE Dynamic P400. Additionally, the Autobiography P440e featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, offering an estimated 51 miles of electric range.

Despite its performance credentials, including a capable 523 hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 option in select early-build models, the Range Rover Sport struggled to marry its dual personality. While it excelled in delivering impressive torque and acceleration, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, its driving dynamics fell short compared to sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. On twisting roads, the vehicle felt heavy and the steering lacked involvement. However, off-road, the Range Rover Sport demonstrated outstanding capabilities, leveraging its advanced suspension, terrain response systems, and substantial ground clearance to navigate challenging terrains effortlessly.

The boxy design of the 2022 Ford Bronco translated to an abundance of interior space, accommodating even the tallest passengers with generous headroom and legroom. Although accessing the rear seats in the two-door model could be challenging, the four-door variant offered ample space for passengers. Cargo capacity varied based on the model and roof type: the two-door hard top provided up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded, while the four-door hard-top offered 35.6 and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. Unfortunately, the rear seats did not fold flat, creating a step-up that complicated loading larger objects. Numerous storage solutions, including a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, and accessory rails, enhanced the Bronco's utility. External mounting points for load-bearing racks and light bars added to its functionality.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport preserved its commanding driving position with a tall, airy feel. The air suspension’s ability to kneel facilitated easier entry and exit, particularly beneficial for shorter individuals. Front passengers enjoyed luxurious Windsor leather seats with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and knee clearance despite improvements. Entry and exit were also hindered by narrow door openings, and the rear seatback angle forced a slouched posture.

Cargo capacity in the Range Rover Sport was 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the 40/20/40-split seatbacks folded. While these figures were respectable, the Bronco’s more versatile configuration and higher maximum cargo capacity gave it an edge in practicality. Additional features like a full-size spare under the cargo floor, netted side pockets, and convenient hooks enhanced the Range Rover Sport’s utility.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities without sacrificing driver engagement. Its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring quick responses and sharp graphics, was loaded with helpful off-road apps. The forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist were standout features, providing confidence in navigating challenging terrains. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, along with an available wireless charging pad, ensured seamless connectivity.

Conversely, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. While the Pivi Pro infotainment platform promised a personalized user experience, it often proved confusing and frustrating, with difficulties in accessing basic features. The native digital assistant also failed to perform reliably.

Meridian audio systems, an Active Noise Cancellation system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad were positive additions, though the latter’s placement under the infotainment screen was inconvenient.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came equipped with standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Advanced safety options included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four-out-of-five stars for frontal crash protection, while both the two- and four-door models received three-out-of-five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS rated the Bronco "Good" in most categories, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features like a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View camera enhanced safety further. While the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were intended to improve driving ease, they often underperformed, particularly in challenging freeway conditions.