2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Land Rover Defender maintained its distinctive design, characterized by a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, which visually tied it to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Autophiles could increase the retro factor with a white contrasting roof and steel wheels. However, despite these callbacks, the 2022 Defender was a thoroughly modern design. Rounded corners improved aerodynamics, and recessed LED headlights gave the Defender a unique personality. The newer version was also significantly larger than its predecessors, which benefited interior space and ergonomics.

The original Defender was often praised for its simplicity, but it was also cramped. The upright driving position resembled that of a tractor more than an SUV. In contrast, the modern Defender offered more headroom and legroom, with a more comfortable driving position that provided good outward visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, leaving some bare metal and exposed screws for a robust look, complemented by a stylish mix of leather and suede upholstery.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Ford Bronco sported attractive retro styling and embodied a go-anywhere attitude, making it one of the most sought-after vehicles at the time. The Bronco returned with two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades variant specifically catered to swamp trekking and deep water, equipped with an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. Unlike the Defender, the Bronco’s appearance was unapologetically utilitarian. Large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and a modular construction allowed for extensive customization.

Inside, the Bronco’s utilitarian theme continued with sealed switches and buttons, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and floor drains for easy cleaning after muddy adventures. The G.O.A.T. mode on the center console allowed drivers to switch between specific drive modes for various terrains, enhancing its off-road credentials. The Bronco also featured modern technology such as a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen, making it both rugged and smart.

For 2022, the Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option involved a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain generating 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) with a two-speed transfer case.

For those craving more power, the new-for-2022 V8 engine, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, could bring the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. This engine offered a thrilling driving experience with a unique exhaust roar. Additional features exclusive to V8 models included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning. Despite less poised handling in the Defender 90 V8 compared to the six-cylinder model, the vehicle remained impressively comfortable on the road, absorbing bumps efficiently and providing a quieter ride.

On the off-road front, the Defender boasted good approach, departure, and breakover angles, along with substantial ground clearance, especially with the optional air suspension. Its Terrain Response 2 system offered drive modes for different surfaces, while the All-Terrain Progress Control acted as a low-speed off-road cruise control. The Defender also featured an 8,201-pound towing capacity, standing out among similarly sized luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engines: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine generating 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine and included a special crawl gear, making low-speed driving easier during climbing tasks. A 10-speed automatic transmission was mandatory for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder.

The Bronco's design allowed both engines to deliver ample power across various settings, with a particular emphasis on off-road capability. Even the less-capable base model excelled in off-road scenarios, while higher trims like the Wildtrak and Everglades offered top-tier performance. The Everglades model, for instance, showcased its might on challenging terrain, handling deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings up to 36.4 inches, and steep rock climbs with ease. Additionally, the Bronco was adept on paved roads, boasting better ride quality and steering precision than direct competitors like the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender was available in both two-door and four-door configurations. The two-door Defender 90 offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which, while a bit challenging to access, were surprisingly comfortable. These seats could be folded down to increase cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 provided either a two-row, five-seat or three-row, seven-seat configuration. Three-row models offered 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, which expanded to 70.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The two-row versions provided between 18.1 and 51.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making the Defender competitive with vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

The Defender's interior remained functional, with the shifter and climate-control knobs placed on an accessible dashboard shelf and a large storage bin available for added convenience. Optional storage solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes mounted on the side pillars, enhancing the vehicle’s utility for outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Ford Bronco’s squared-off design contributed to abundant interior space, offering more headroom than even NBA players might need. Both front and rear seats provided ample legroom and lateral space. Accessing the Bronco, particularly in higher trims, required a bit of effort, but handy grab handles and side steps aided in the process. The two-door Bronco required an awkward squeeze to access the rear seats, while the four-door model allowed more straightforward entry.

Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type. The two-door hard-top model could hold up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard-top had a capacity of 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 77.6 cubic feet when folded. However, the rear seats did not fold flat, complicating the loading of larger items. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions, including multiple storage compartments, accessory rails atop the dashboard, and stowable doors that fit in the cargo area.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. Most trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with an optional larger 11.4-inch touchscreen. The interface was user-friendly, featuring distinctive graphics and menu layouts. However, the touchscreen required a firm touch to work correctly.

Optional tech features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. These features were particularly useful for off-roading, providing additional visibility and confidence while navigating difficult terrain.

The 2022 Ford Bronco used technology smartly to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes offered novice drivers confidence by automatically selecting the best settings for specific terrains, while seasoned off-roaders could manually adjust their preferences. The forward-looking trail camera was especially useful, providing an overlay of lines to indicate tire placement, helping drivers avoid obstacles.

The Bronco's infotainment system, the Sync 4, was quick, responsive, and loaded with off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired well with an available wireless charging pad, adding convenience and functionality.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with standard driver-assist technologies such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with a speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available as options. Notably, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn’t published safety ratings for the Defender, a common occurrence among luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Additional features like frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams were available through the optional Mid package. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco had received a four-star frontal crash protection rating from the NHTSA and a three-star rollover protection rating. The IIHS gave it its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests, with an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.