2021 Honda Passport 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 yet-to-be-released Bronco. It drew inspiration from the classic 1966-1996 Bronco, aiming to compete with rugged models like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco Sport featured a unibody design, making it more suitable for suburban driving while still being ready for weekend adventures. Its modern retro aesthetic, short front overhang, and tall fender wells were designed for trail driving, with minimal adornments to avoid catching on obstructions. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with various wheel options, added to its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design. The HVAC vents had a unique shape, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and cupholders were located in the center console. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition model offering Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The cargo area featured practical options like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector, catering to various needs.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. The similarities between the two models were evident in their styling, both inside and out. The Passport's dash layout was visually identical to the Pilot's, including the awkward "button shifter" design for the automatic transmission. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

Trim levels for the Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport came with features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, a power rear liftgate, and power-adjustable front seats. The Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, an upgraded stereo system, and a WiFi hotspot. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, each tied to specific trim levels. 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 came with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

During a media drive at Holly Oaks ORV Park in Michigan, the Bronco Sport demonstrated impressive off-road performance. Its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel contributed to a smooth off-road experience. Ground clearance ranged from 7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tire and wheel size. On-road, the Bronco Sport exhibited good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more suitable match for its character compared to the 1.5-liter engine.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The engine's stop-start system could be abrupt, but it could be deactivated if desired.

The Passport's ride quality struck a balance between comfort and refined handling, making it ideal for commuting and weekend adventures. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, the Passport was capable of handling light off-road conditions. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever features and practical design. The cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered a catalog of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting various outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds.

The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, including big door pockets, multiple cubbies, and covered storage. However, taller drivers might have found it challenging to see past the roof overhang when on-road, and the bulges in the hood could obscure the trail view when off-road.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of storage was available in an under-floor tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate.

The Passport's upright seating position offered excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road. The center console included a deep center bin and an open cargo tray below the shifter and cupholders. Both front and rear seats had deep in-door pockets for storing water bottles and other items. The rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom, and they could recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest versions of Ford's infotainment systems. The 8-inch touchscreen connected to SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system included an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system's G.O.A.T. modes provided various drive settings, and trail control technology allowed for cruise-control-like functionality during off-roading.

Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model. Higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, along with a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, along with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity features was a significant advantage.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with 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. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was available as part of the tow package. AWD and the terrain management system enhanced the vehicle's safety.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests. However, it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights, child-seat anchor ease of use, and front crash prevention tech.