2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as the factory options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out were limited to a few paint colors and wheel designs. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle featuring numerous upgrades that brought its MSRP to $98,420. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design inspired by the 1960s, with the two-door model capturing the essence more successfully than the four-door. The Sasquatch Package, a popular upgrade, added a suspension lift, 35-inch mud-terrain tires, and exclusive wheels, giving the Bronco a rugged and purposeful appearance. The test vehicle, a four-door Big Bend trim in Hot Pepper Red, featured the Sasquatch Package, LED signature lighting, and a hardtop, with an MSRP of $55,415. The Bronco's interior was practical, with marine-grade mildew- and water-resistant upholstery, though it lacked breathability. The dashboard featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with grab handles for easy entry. Compared to its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco offered a more refined interior and better visibility, though the spare tire on the tailgate partially obstructed the rear view.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The lower-priced SE P360 delivered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. The test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six engine allowed it to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The Range Rover Sport's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 22.3 mpg on the evaluation route. The SUV featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. However, it struggled to match the performance of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and advanced off-road technologies.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend came with a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It offered a seven-speed manual transmission with a low first gear for rock crawling or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor model featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's maximum towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, with the Raptor capable of towing 4,500 pounds. The test vehicle's drivetrain provided good acceleration and clean shifts, though its fuel efficiency was lacking, averaging 16.9 mpg on the evaluation drive. The Bronco excelled off-road, with numerous G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) driving modes and advanced off-roading technologies. On-road, the Bronco was fun to drive, though its mud-terrain tires and wind noise detracted from the experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle's full-size spare tire limited storage space under the cargo floor, but Land Rover provided a contraption to prevent items from rolling around.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, particularly in the four-door configuration, offered ample interior space, accommodating four adults comfortably. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery was practical but lacked breathability. The Bronco's two-door models had a standard hardtop with removable roof panels, while the four-door had a fabric soft top with an optional hardtop. Interior storage was good, with MOLLE panels on the front seat backs for customization. The two-door Bronco offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 53.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The four-door model provided 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 83 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and unreliable voice recognition. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2024 Ford Bronco came with a 12-inch touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The test vehicle experienced issues with Apple CarPlay connectivity and voice recognition. The Bronco Trail App provided access to maps and information for trails across North America.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were not as smooth or reliable as expected.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Bronco received favorable crash test ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance.