2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport had been eagerly anticipated as a smaller sibling to the resurrected Bronco. It drew inspiration from the 1966-1996 Bronco, aiming to compete with rugged off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. However, the Bronco Sport was a unibody crossover designed more for suburban life with a flair for weekend adventures. Its modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of Land Rover, featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate, tied it visually to its larger counterpart.

The Bronco Sport's wheels varied by trim, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with an uncluttered design and convenient storage cubbies. The center stack featured an 8-inch infotainment screen, and the rotary gear selector was flanked by cupholders. Interior trims ranged from cloth to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition boasting Navy Pier Leather power front seats and rubberized flooring.

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a welcome sight after a tiring flight, offering plush and roomy accommodations. The Platinum trim, the most luxurious in the lineup, included Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, and second-row captain’s chairs. However, it struggled to accommodate all the luggage, highlighting the utility of minivans. The Expedition Platinum featured an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and brightwork, making it a good-looking vehicle.

The extended-length Expedition MAX would have solved the cargo issue, offering more space for passengers and luggage. The Expedition's leather-lined cabin, with large, wide seats and a massage function for the front seats, ensured comfort. The independent rear suspension provided a smooth ride, though the Platinum's 22-inch wheels transmitted road shock. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, but the test vehicle stuck to pavement, averaging 17.1 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models had a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, while also performing well on pavement.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim getting a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition's acceleration was impressive, and the transmission, steering, and brakes performed well. The Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, but the independent suspension kept it stable. The FX4 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, but the test vehicle averaged 17.1 mpg on pavement.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold had smart features like a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers and a massage function for the front seats. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage was plentiful. Cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and up to 104.6 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with it folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system had six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system had up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available. Intelligent access with push-button start, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel were included on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system had an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition were also included. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging. An available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered dual viewing screens, a DVD player, gaming system inputs, and streaming capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, navigation, and road-sign recognition. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard. Crash-worthiness ratings were not yet available from IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover-resistance rating, and the 4WD model had a four-star rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.