Ford Bronco Sport vs Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated release, capturing the essence of its larger sibling, the Bronco, with a modern retro design. It featured a short front overhang for optimal approach angles and a rear overhang designed for trail driving. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides minimized the risk of catching on obstructions. The front end echoed the larger Bronco, with bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, while the Ford blue oval appeared only once on the exterior. The wheels varied by trim, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks and Badlands models.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful design. The HVAC vents had a unique shape, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies topped by an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and cupholders were centrally located. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition featuring Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The cargo area was practical, with options for rubberized flooring and carpeted floor mats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate a third row of seats, was a blend of elegance and ruggedness. The vehicle's design included the iconic seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, all modernized with slimmer, brighter lighting. The paint finish and panel fit were notably improved. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. New exterior paint colors for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout was reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering a premium feel without sharing parts. The cabin provided ample space and comfort, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. The panoramic roof, large windows, and numerous USB ports enhanced the travel experience, though the air vents were somewhat inadequate in airflow.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, though the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, providing a more satisfying performance. The plug-in hybrid 4xe, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and electric motors, offered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with a stellar ride composure and steering feel, aided by an optional air suspension with five ride height settings.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting various outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, an optional slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek interface and physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. The panoramic roof, large windows, and USB ports enhanced comfort, though the air vents were somewhat inadequate. The vehicle also offered a large bin for wireless phone charging and a big central cubby under the armrest.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, with a standard FordConnect 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system had six speakers, while higher trims could be equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road assistance from trail control technology. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims featured heated, leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a rear-facing camera.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. Higher trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a rear-facing camera.