2022 Hyundai Palisade 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, aiming to compete with rugged models like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco Sport, however, was designed as a unibody crossover, focusing more on urban and suburban driving while still catering to weekend adventurers. Its design featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of Land Rover's style, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen positioned for easy access. The interior trim varied across models, with options ranging from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The vehicle also featured a rotary gear selector and multiple storage compartments, making it practical for everyday use. The Bronco Sport's interior was designed to accommodate active lifestyles, with features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, was introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It boasted an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's designs. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches, creating a visually appealing profile. The continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate gave the impression of a floating rear roof, while LED headlights and taillights added a signature look. The Palisade's design was so refined that it could easily fit into the luxury Infiniti lineup.

Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and elegant cabin with high-quality materials and finishes. The centrepiece was a horizontally arrayed 12.3-inch touchscreen, complemented by a beefy centre console. The second row featured either a roomy bench or captain's chairs, while the third row provided ample space for passengers. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai. The top-of-the-line Ultimate Calligraphy model was particularly stunning, with features like premium Nappa leather upholstery and quilted door panels.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, 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.

Off-road, the Bronco Sport impressed with its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel, providing a drama-free experience. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine in the Badlands trim was better suited to the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, a rarity in an era of turbocharged engines. This V6 produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, offering a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.1 combined. Despite its middling efficiency, the Palisade's power and engine note were notable advantages.

The Palisade's curb weight ranged from 1,991 to 2,004 kilograms, and it handled well thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension. It could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features beyond the typical compact crossover. Its cargo space was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle could tow up to 997 kilograms with the 2.0-litre engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps.

Inside, the Bronco Sport provided ample storage compartments, including large door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, some drivers found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges, affecting the driving position.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating and easy access throughout the cabin. The third row provided ample space, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured extensive storage options, including a locking glove box and door panel bottle holders.

Luggage space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and a cavernous 2,447 litres with both rows down. The Palisade's gear selector was a compact shift-by-wire setup, and controls were logically arranged for ease of use. A dual-panel sunroof improved the ambiance in the upper trim levels, and heated and ventilated seats were standard on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. 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 drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-roading.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system on higher trims. The infotainment system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. USB ports were available throughout the cabin, and a Qi wireless charging pad was standard on Ultimate Calligraphy models. The Palisade also featured Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard 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 from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of passive and active safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe choice for families.