2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Ford Bronco

When comparing the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport and the 2023 Ford Bronco, it's clear that each vehicle has a distinctive design philosophy catering to different tastes. The Range Rover Sport had a modernist, reductive aesthetic that Land Rover described as clean and simple. It wasn’t geared towards people who wanted to draw maximum attention; instead, it exuded understated luxury and sophistication. Limited flashy features like the Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels were available, though the lineup indicated future arrivals of performance-tuned models like the SVR that promised more vivid paint options and eye-catching details.

Our test vehicle arrived sporting an Eiger Grey paint complemented by elegant silver 23-inch wheels. The interior followed a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme paired with luxurious aluminum and shiny black trims. Despite the subdued exterior, the vehicle's inside dripped with understated opulence, featuring richly polished Windsor leather upholstery.

The Range Rover Sport SE Dynamic P400, which we tested, came with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Cold Climate Pack, Technology Pack, and a full-size spare tire, bringing the MSRP to $98,420. Notable design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and the unique taillights marking the first use of surface LED technology in a production vehicle. With remarkable aerodynamics defined by a 0.29 coefficient of drag, the Range Rover Sport had a sleek yet functional design.

In contrast, the Ford Bronco embraced nostalgia with its retro-cool styling. Offered in nine distinct trim levels, the Bronco’s blocky shape, wide horizontal grille, and large round headlights ensured it stood out from the crowd. The entry-level Base trim sported a primitive look with steel wheels and minimal adornments, while the top-end Raptor flaunted an aggressive wide stance, elevated height, and huge fender flares covering massive tires. The Heritage trim tugged at nostalgic heartstrings with its throwback white grille, roof, and wheels.

Inside, the Bronco maintained a rugged theme with a broad dashboard and durable materials designed to withstand the elements. The sealed switches and buttons allowed for easy cleanup after off-road adventures, and the rubberized tray kept items secure during bumpy rides. Handy additions like sturdy handholds and customizable Molle-type seat back grids enhanced the functional appeal. While the rugged design led to some road noise, it was noticeably quieter than its competitor, the Jeep Wrangler.

Both the 2023 Range Rover Sport and the Ford Bronco brought different strengths to the performance category. The Range Rover Sport focused on merging refinement and off-road capability with driver-focused engagement. It was equipped with three powertrain options. The SE and SE Dynamic featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The SE Dynamic version boasted 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the Autobiography P440e featured a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle drivetrain that delivered 434 hp and an estimated 51 miles of electric-only driving range. There was also a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 available for early-build 2023 models but was momentarily off the menu, expected to return in future SVR models.

Our test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. It operated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, having a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. Its fuel efficiency was admirable, averaging 22.3 mpg on our evaluation route and reaching 25.1 mpg on a highway.

The Range Rover Sport’s adaptive damping air suspension, which adjusted up to 500 times per second, offered a smooth ride and competent handling. However, despite features like Dynamic driving mode and brake-induced torque vectoring, the SUV didn’t match the precision of similarly priced, sport-tuned SUVs from competitors like Audi and BMW. Off-road, though, it felt invincible with 11.1 inches of ground clearance, impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 35.4-inch wading depth.

The Ford Bronco, on the other hand, came with a choice of three engines, all paired with four-wheel-drive and a two-speed transfer case. The entry-level 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, while the optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 pushed it up to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Raptor, the top-end model, featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivering 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.

The base four-cylinder engine was more than adequate for both on-roading and off-roading adventures. The ride quality, though bouncier than a family SUV, was stable, and quieter than a Jeep Wrangler. Maneuvering the vehicle, especially the four-door model, was manageable with the help of several cameras. The Bronco’s high-riding dimensions required more careful handling on curving roads, but it remained confident and capable.

The 2023 Range Rover Sport retained its command driving position, offering a tall, airy feel, and a panoramic view. The air suspension made entry and exit easier, especially for shorter passengers. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Available upgrades included a massage feature, soft-closing doors, and a heated steering wheel.

However, the rear seat wasn’t as hospitable. Despite increased legroom and knee clearance, the space remained tight for taller passengers. The deeply bucketed rear seat provided excellent lumbar support, but the reclined seatback angle and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging.

Cargo space in the Range Rover Sport was 31.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 cubic feet with them folded. The full-size spare under the cargo floor limited storage space, though handy compartments and adjustable air suspension helped with loading and organization.

The Ford Bronco’s boxy shape offered ample interior space. It was more practical in the four-door variant, making rear seat access easy. Netted door pockets and a rubberized tray between the front seats provided storage solutions, while accessory rails and USB jacks catered to action camera and GPS users.

Cargo space in the two-door Bronco was 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded. The four-door model expanded this to 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. However, the rear seats didn’t fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered loading longer items. The Bronco shined with its easily detachable fenders and doors, adding to its overlanding appeal.

The technology in the 2023 Range Rover Sport centered around its 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring haptic feedback and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, during the evaluation, the Pivi Pro infotainment system often proved confusing and frustrating, especially in voice command accuracy.

The Range Rover Sport did offer impressive Meridian audio systems, enhanced noise cancellation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. However, some features, like the automatic driver exit assist, were more cumbersome than helpful.

The Ford Bronco used technology to enhance off-road capabilities. Its G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, aiding novices in conquering challenging conditions. Numerous camera views provided crucial visibility, while features like Trail Turn Assist offered remarkable maneuverability.

Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an available 12-inch touchscreen, ensured an intuitive infotainment experience. The Bronco combined off-road tech with everyday usability, keeping drivers connected and entertained on the go.

The 2023 Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, our evaluation found the adaptive cruise control and steering assist technology lacking in responsiveness and reliability.

The Range Rover’s ClearSight Ground View camera and Wade Sensing provided off-road assistance, while features like Remote Park Assist offered convenience in urban settings. Still, the semi-autonomous driving assist system left much to be desired.

The Ford Bronco received mixed safety ratings. The NHTSA gave the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection, while the IIHS awarded it the best score of “Good” in most crashworthiness tests.

All Bronco models included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. Optional packages enhanced these with features like blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera systems, and adaptive cruise control. While not as comprehensive as conventional SUVs, the Bronco’s safety systems functioned reliably without false alarms.