2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and the classic Series Land Rovers. It offered options like a white contrasting roof and steel wheels to enhance its retro appeal. Despite these nostalgic elements, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also significantly larger than its predecessor, which improved interior space and ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup that still provided good outward visibility. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by metal trim on the steering wheel. Even the high-end Defender 90 V8 model featured a mix of leather and suede upholstery, which seemed more practical for off-road use. Unlike the Range Rover, the Defender's interior was designed to handle mud and dirt without concern.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was available in nine distinct trim levels, all featuring a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky shape, wide horizontal grille, and large round headlights made it easily recognizable. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the top-tier Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive fender flares. The new Heritage trim added nostalgic touches like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery.

The Bronco's design was not just for show; many features had practical functions. Cleats above the headlights could secure cargo, and raised "fins" helped drivers gauge the vehicle's corners. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash and sealed switches and buttons for easy cleaning. Drain plugs in the floor and marine-grade vinyl upholstery made it even more practical. Sturdy handholds and a grid-like mesh on the seat backs for attaching accessories added to its functionality. While the materials were more durable than luxurious, they had a reassuring heft, and the interior was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler.

The 2022 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 was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and came with standard four-wheel drive (4WD) with a two-speed transfer case.

For those seeking more power, the new-for-2022 V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. The V8 model also featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road focus, the Defender was impressively comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimal noise from the 22-inch tires. It also handled crosswinds better than a Jeep Wrangler.

Off-road, the Defender lived up to Land Rover's reputation, with a 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. The Terrain Response 2 system and All-Terrain Progress Control further enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender also boasted an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity, surpassing many similarly sized luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices. The base engine was a 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, available only with the automatic. The top-tier Bronco Raptor featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case.

The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most on- and off-road adventures, while the 2.7-liter V6 was better suited for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's EcoBoost engine provided excessive but exhilarating power. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. It tracked straight on the highway and had a quieter interior compared to the Wrangler.

The Bronco's high-riding dimensions and all-terrain tires required more care on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected. Maneuvering the four-door model was easier with the help of several cameras. The Bronco was second only to the more expensive Land Rover Defender in terms of comfort among off-road-capable SUVs.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The rear seats were usable and could be folded down for more cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a shifter and climate-control knobs on a dashboard shelf, leaving room for a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin was one of the largest outside a full-size pickup truck and could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space. The two-door model required some effort to access the rear seats, while the four-door model offered easier access. Up front, there were plenty of storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray between the front seats. Accessory rails atop the dash and a USB jack added to its practicality.

The two-door Bronco had up to 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model offered 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo and sleeping comfortably. The Bronco's removable fenders and doors added to its off-road appeal, with the fenders easily detachable without tools and the doors removable with a single bolt.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, but the screen required a firm touch to respond.

Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The side camera views helped with obstacle navigation, and the front view was useful for spotting rocks or tree stumps.

The 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, making it easier for novices to tackle challenging conditions. Experienced off-roaders could manually select features like transfer case gearing and sway-bar disconnects. The numerous camera views were invaluable in tight spots, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel.

The Bronco also offered standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford’s SYNC 4 system. A wireless charging pad was available as an option. Most Broncos came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, but a 12-inch display was available for easier use.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Ford Bronco had partial NHTSA crash test results, with the four-door model receiving four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco its best score of “Good” in most crashworthiness tests, except for head restraints and seats, which received an "Acceptable" rating.

Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The optional Mid package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package included front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Luxe package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.