Ford Bronco Sport vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact SUV that embraced rugged styling, setting itself apart from the more urban-focused Ford Escape. Its design featured a rectangular grille with round headlights and "Bronco" lettering, reminiscent of the larger Bronco model. The Bronco Sport maintained a square silhouette with a long, flat hood and upright greenhouse, giving it a cute yet capable appearance. For 2025, the styling remained largely unchanged, except for the introduction of off-road packages like the Black Diamond and Sasquatch, which added modular steel bumpers and underbody protection. The interior, while less distinctive, was functional with new center-console grab handles and auxiliary switches for off-road accessories.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a more refined and luxurious look, with a variety of trim levels catering to different powertrains. The TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid stood out with its standard panoramic glass roof and Matador Red Mica paint. The exterior featured a large grille, sharp bi-LED headlights, and rear LED lighting that spanned the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided a spacious and comfortable cabin with multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, and a third row that accommodated adults comfortably. However, the material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics scattered throughout. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, but some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere in the cabin.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport retained its powertrain options from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model offered a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, which included a dual-clutch rear-drive unit for torque vectoring. The Bronco Sport excelled in off-road capabilities, offering features like Trail Control and multiple drive modes, including Rally and Rock Crawl. Despite its off-road prowess, the Bronco Sport remained composed and comfortable on the road, providing a balanced driving experience.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid delivered impressive performance with its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system, generating 404 horsepower. The onboard seven-kilowatt charger allowed for a full battery charge in under three hours. The TX offered various drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The ride was smooth and quiet, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, and a Trail Mode helped maintain traction on slippery surfaces. While not a sports car, the TX provided a comfortable and capable driving experience, ideal for long road trips.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport prioritized practicality without compromising its off-road focus. It offered more headroom in both rows compared to competitors like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Subaru Forester Wilderness. Cargo space was competitive, with 32.5 cubic feet available with the rear seats up and 65.2 cubic feet with them folded. The Bronco Sport also featured ample USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a dedicated device tray. Towing capacity reached up to 2,700 pounds with the turbo-four engine, surpassing some rivals.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ provided standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control and heated and cooled seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and individual cupholders and USB-C ports. However, folding the second row flat was cumbersome due to a series of levers. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with 20.2 cubic feet available with all seats in place, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. The TX could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile option for families.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport upgraded to the Ford Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with detailed graphics and animations. An available 360-degree camera system provided off-road driving aids, displaying overhead and low-angle front views to spot obstacles.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch touchscreen with quick response times, but some features lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel buttons were multifunctional but confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occasionally arose. The TX offered a backup camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed powered.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in several tests and an "Acceptable" rating in the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, offering features like forward collision warning, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though the steering wheel controls were confusing. The NHTSA had not rated the 550h+, but other TX models received five stars. The IIHS gave the TX "Acceptable" and "Good" ratings in various crash tests.