2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2024 Ford Bronco

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented itself as a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market, challenging the traditional dominance of brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Mazda's design and material quality had surpassed its Japanese counterparts, offering a near-luxury experience akin to Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus. The CX-90's exterior was a testament to Mazda's elegant design language, with its imposing size, big grille, and wide-set front end demanding attention. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could rival luxury brands, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits, creating a sophisticated ambiance. With 11 different trim levels and three powertrains, the CX-90 catered to a wide range of preferences, from the entry-level Turbo to the high-performance Turbo S Premium Plus.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design, drawing inspiration from its 1960s predecessor. The two-door model, in particular, captured the essence of the original Bronco, while the four-door version struggled to maintain the same nostalgic appeal. The Sasquatch Package, a popular upgrade, enhanced the Bronco's rugged appearance with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. The Bronco offered nine trim levels, including the high-performance Raptor model, and a choice between two-door and four-door body styles. Despite its retro charm, the Bronco's interior was practical but lacked the refinement of its competitors, with marine-grade vinyl upholstery that struggled to provide comfort in hot conditions. The Bronco's design was more about off-road capability and adventure than luxury and elegance.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option and an all-new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo S variant offered an impressive 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All CX-90 models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90's driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, allowed for a dynamic driving experience, with the Turbo S model delivering a thrilling exhaust note and agile handling. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. While the PHEV offered an all-electric range of 26 miles, it couldn't match the Turbo S's performance but still impressed with its handling.

The 2024 Ford Bronco offered a range of engine options, starting with a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 delivered 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor's exclusive 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 cranked out 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's part-time four-wheel-drive system and various off-roading technologies, such as Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist, enhanced its off-road capabilities. However, the Bronco's fuel efficiency was a concern, with the Big Bend Sasquatch averaging 16.9 mpg during testing. Despite its off-road prowess, the Bronco's on-road performance was less refined, with wind and tire noise detracting from the driving experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of seating configurations, with lower-level trims accommodating up to eight passengers and higher trims featuring captain's chairs for a more luxurious experience. The Turbo S models provided a two-seat configuration in the third row, offering slightly more cargo space. The CX-90's cargo capacity ranged from 14.9 to 75.2 cubic feet, depending on the seating arrangement. While the CX-90 improved upon the CX-9's capacity, it still fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. However, the CX-90 excelled in interior comfort, with ample storage options, comfortable seats, and high-quality materials.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, available in two-door and four-door body styles, offered a spacious interior with comfortable seating for four adults in the two-door model. The four-door version provided even more room, with a design that felt larger than its Jeep Wrangler rival. The Bronco's marine-grade vinyl upholstery, while practical, struggled to provide comfort in hot conditions. The Bronco's interior was versatile, with removable roof panels and doors, allowing for an open-air driving experience. Cargo space in the two-door model ranged from 22.4 to 53.3 cubic feet, while the four-door version offered 35.6 to 83 cubic feet, depending on the configuration.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 prioritized safety by minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which relied on a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distractions, the system's quirks and complexities often led to frustration. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition, allowing for automatic adjustments to seats, mirrors, and other settings. The CX-90 also came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality in higher trims, providing a more user-friendly experience.

The 2024 Ford Bronco featured a 12-inch touchscreen with the Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, and a seven-speaker stereo system. While the system provided a range of features, it experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition performance. The Bronco Trail App, accessible through the Sync 4 display, offered maps and information for off-roading adventures. Despite some technology challenges, the Bronco's infotainment system provided a comprehensive suite of features for both on-road and off-road use.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came equipped with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also featured cruising and traffic support, providing a hands-on driver support system. While crash test ratings were not yet available for the 2024 CX-90, its predecessor, the CX-9, received high safety ratings, suggesting the CX-90 would perform well in safety evaluations.

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. While the Bronco's safety systems operated as expected, the lane-keep assist system was less favored during testing. The Bronco four-door received favorable crash test ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance, while NHTSA ratings were incomplete but included a four-star frontal-impact rating.