2021 Hyundai Tucson 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 featured a modern retro design that was reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs that enhanced its off-road capabilities. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The Bronco Sport offered a range of wheel options, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels on the Outer Banks model. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson, on the other hand, presented a more conventional styling with a futuristic touch. It had an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road, and its interior featured a modern, attractive dash design. The Tucson's tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with easily accessible buttons and dials. The Tucson was available in several trims, including SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims added features like LED headlights, power-adjustable seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Tucson's interior was comfortable and supportive, with adequate space for passengers and plenty of storage compartments.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It also featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Bronco Sport was a capable commuter, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more refined driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options as well. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims were equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The Tucson's base engine felt underwhelming, especially at higher speeds, but the 2.4-liter engine offered a livelier performance. The Tucson provided a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space that could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It also had a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle could tow up to 2,200 pounds with the 2.0-liter 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. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though some drivers found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the segment, it was sufficient for most needs. The Tucson's interior offered solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured numerous storage compartments and trays for personal items.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system featured multiple drive modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8-inch screen on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and hard buttons for convenience. Available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All models had all-wheel drive and a terrain management system for enhanced safety. However, crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims included additional features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking monitor. The Tucson received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.