2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, with a gloss black roof and mirror caps, and a unique Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, captured a modern retro feel reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup. It featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and tucked-in body sides for trail driving. The front and rear elevations echoed the larger Bronco, with bold white “BRONCO” lettering on the grille and tailgate. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels, with all-terrain tires available on higher trims. The interior was rugged yet uncluttered, with a unique HVAC vent shape, multiple storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. Gasoline models included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors for AWD, delivering 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, the T5 in 6.1 seconds, and the T4 in 8.1 seconds, with all versions electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims 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, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it offered good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine better suited to its character.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins due to relocated audio system speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a single USB-C port. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

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 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 could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold 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 had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might struggle with outward visibility.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. It had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. The Recharge lacked a start button, using a key fob for automatic start, and future updates might include a Digital Key feature.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with the latest SYNC 3 infotainment system on an 8-inch touchscreen, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. It had FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except Base, with higher trims offering heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with Volvo’s latest sensor suite for future advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes. Trailer sway control was included in the tow package. Crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.