2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to Ford's lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It drew inspiration from the original 1966-1996 Bronco, offering a rugged aesthetic that appealed to those seeking adventure. The Bronco Sport featured a unibody construction, making it more suitable for urban environments while still being capable of handling weekend escapades. Its design included short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a body style that minimized unnecessary adornments, all contributing to its off-road readiness. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look.

Inside, the Bronco Sport's interior was tastefully rugged, with a focus on functionality. The cabin featured an uncluttered design, with unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen positioned for optimal visibility. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The vehicle's interior was designed to accommodate active lifestyles, with features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector, making it a practical choice for those who enjoyed outdoor activities.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80, on the other hand, showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements. Its body-on-frame construction, shared with the Armada, provided a robust foundation, while the front-end design was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a grille and headlight design that exuded assertiveness without being overly aggressive. The QX80's standard LED lighting and available 22-inch wheels added to its luxurious appearance.

Inside, the QX80's interior was reminiscent of the Armada, with Infiniti elevating the design through wood trim, contrast stitching, and semi-aniline leather upholstery. The dashboard retained its recognizable shape, and while the interior felt luxurious, it lacked the exclusivity some buyers might expect. The vehicle's foot-operated parking brake was a notable feature, though not typically associated with high-end vehicles. Despite these quirks, the QX80's interior offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control enhancing its on-road performance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains. The Bronco Sport's off-road capabilities were impressive, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, making it a versatile choice for both urban and off-road adventures.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. This naturally aspirated V8 produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for highway overtaking and towing. The QX80's body-on-frame construction contributed to its truck-like ride, but the independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control helped maintain a comfortable and composed ride. While the QX80 excelled on highways, its size and body roll made it less agile in corners. However, its 4WD drivetrain, low range, and skid plate made it capable off-road, with a towing capacity of 3,855 kilograms, surpassing competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever features and ample cargo space. It was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a wide range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 907 and 997 kilograms, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, optional slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter, enhancing its practicality. The front cabin offered numerous storage compartments, though taller drivers might have experienced visibility challenges due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 provided a spacious interior with a standard seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain's chairs and a centre console. An eight-seat configuration was available on the ProACTIVE grade. The front seats offered power adjustments and lumbar support, though the bottom cushions lacked thigh support for long trips. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room in all three rows. The QX80's cargo space, while not class-leading, was versatile, with a power liftgate and power-folding third row. The centre console's dual-opening design was convenient, though storage space was limited, and the front-door cupholders were not well-suited for holding drinks securely.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road features like trail control. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on most trims, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, along with a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a 17-speaker Bose audio system. The system included a rear-seat entertainment system with dual monitors and wireless headphones. While the touchscreens were complemented by analog controls, the user interface was not intuitive, requiring trial and error to navigate. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were valuable additions, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The ProACTIVE grade added Backup Collision Intervention and Blind Spot Intervention, providing additional safety measures.