2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, capturing some of the rugged styling cues of its larger counterpart. It was designed as a unibody crossover, focusing on being an everyday driver with the capability for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road angles. Its design included tall fender wells and a tucked-in body to minimize snagging on trails. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with a cohesive design and practical storage solutions, including an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, on the other hand, was a crossover adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, offering rugged looks, standard all-wheel drive, and a higher driving position. It featured black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a taller ride height, providing 22 cm of ground clearance. The Crosstrek's design allowed it to mimic an SUV while maintaining the character of the Impreza. It was available in vibrant colours, adding to its appeal. The interior was functional but plain, with some unique touches like Plasma Yellow Pearl accents and water-repellant upholstery in certain trims. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek retained the handling characteristics of the Impreza, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 hp and 275 lb-ft 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. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it was a capable commuter, with the 2.0-litre engine providing a more refined driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine for the Outdoor and Limited trims, generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Other trims continued with the 2.0-litre boxer-four engine, offering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's boxer engine design contributed to a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling. A six-speed manual transmission was available with the 2.0-litre engine, while most buyers opted for the CVT. All trims featured standard all-wheel drive, with X-Mode and additional off-road modes in the Outdoor trim. Despite its SUV-like appearance, the Crosstrek was primarily suited for on-road driving, with predictable handling and a comfortable ride. The new 2.5-litre engine provided modest performance improvements.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 68 kg. The 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kg, while the 1.5-litre engine could tow 907 kg. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin provided ample storage, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity compared to other small crossovers. It provided 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,565 litres with them folded. The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient cubby hole for phones, but storage space was minimal. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good due to the large side glass.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road modes in the Badlands trim. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on most trims, along with a digital instrument panel in higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with navigation on the Limited trim. Subaru's unique second screen displayed additional information, and the system featured large analog controls for essential functions. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The Bronco Sport received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. EyeSight driver-assist technology was standard on CVT-equipped models, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more. The system's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions.