2020 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Hyundai absolutely nailed the Palisade's styling, making it a standout in the SUV market. The bold design featured a massive grille and thin headlights, with a unique headlight assembly that included larger fog lights. The chrome strip running from the A-pillar to the rear door added a touch of elegance, though it made the design a bit busy. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded luxury with a fully digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and a center console filled with controls. The Limited trim impressed with its leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and a dual sunroof.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, with its modern retro feel, captured the essence of its big brother, the Bronco. The short front overhang and tall fender wells were designed for trail driving, while the bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate announced its name. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The step-up in interior trim from cloth to leather-trimmed seats added a touch of sophistication. The cargo space was cleverly designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and the optional cargo management package added a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to the front wheels or available all-wheel drive through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The drive mode dial offered Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart modes, with Smart mode adjusting based on driving habits. The Palisade's handling was impressive, especially in Sport mode, and the self-leveling rear suspension in the Limited trim enhanced driving dynamics. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, while the AWD model achieved 19/24/21.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system featured up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The 2.0-liter engine provided a better match for the Bronco Sport's character, while the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility, offering 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, though they operated slowly. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips, and the second-row captain's chairs provided ample comfort and storage options. The Palisade's interior was designed to handle family needs, with multiple cup holders and seatback pockets.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its cleverly designed cargo space, capable of holding two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim offered an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, standard on the Limited trim. The Limited also featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The Driver Talk in-car intercom system and a surround-view monitor added to the tech offerings.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The base audio system included six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system's G.O.A.T. modes provided impressive tech for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel were available on higher trims.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It came with forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and parking sensors. The digital instrument panel displayed parking sensor warnings and featured a unique blind-spot camera system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system. All Bronco Sport models had AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes.