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Full Article @ https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/ford-bronco-sport-vs-jeep-wrangler-vs-subaru-outback-wilderness-vs-toyota-rav4-trd-off-road-comparison-test-review/

Ford Bronco Sport vs. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport vs. Subaru Outback Wilderness vs. Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road: Got Chops?
Can an off-road-focused crossover SUV legitimately compete with the Jeep Wrangler?

Ford Bronco Sport Bronco Sport Badlands Takes 1st Place in On-Road + Off-Road Comparison vs RAV4 TRD, Outback, Jeep Wrangler! [Motor Trend] 2021-Ford-Bronco-Sport-Badlands-vs-2021-Jeep-Wrangler-Sport-4x4-vs-2022-Subaru-Outback-Wildern



First Place: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands

Pros
  • Torquey engine
  • Great on-road manners
  • Shockingly capable off-road
Con
  • Having to explain to others that it's not the "big" Bronco
Verdict

Almost seamlessly blends crossover comfort with SUV capability. An immensely impressive design and engineering achievement.


Catch the full article at: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/ford-bronco-sport-vs-jeep-wrangler-vs-subaru-outback-wilderness-vs-toyota-rav4-trd-off-road-comparison-test-review/
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GizzardLizard

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This is why the purists who write off the Sport as "just an Escape with a Bronco badge" irk me. Technically thats not wrong, but its more than that. The Escape is a good vehicle but I doubt it could do this. Plus the Sport just looks so much cooler. Not everyone needs or wants the rough edge capability (or price tag) of the big Bronco or a Wrangler, but some people like myself want something a bit more than a normal crossover.

Crossovers are here to stay, so wouldn't you want them to be more interesting like the Broncos Sport?
 

SportWest

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"To say we were surprised with the RAV4's poor showing is an understatement—especially considering the automaker's storied reputation for off-road capability, reliability, and ruggedness."

Before buying my Sport, I test drove the RAV4 Adventure trim and was also 'surprised' at Toyota's poor showing in terms of handling, comfort, and drivetrain.

I also test drove a Subaru Outback and Forester and find it amusing how my on-road rankings were the same as Motor Trend's off-road ones, with one key difference: I ignored Jeep altogether because I want a vehicle that won't fall apart after a year :crackup:
 

WeBeMolleN

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This is why the purists who write off the Sport as "just an Escape with a Bronco badge" irk me. Technically thats not wrong, but its more than that. The Escape is a good vehicle but I doubt it could do this. Plus the Sport just looks so much cooler. Not everyone needs or wants the rough edge capability (or price tag) of the big Bronco or a Wrangler, but some people like myself want something a bit more than a normal crossover.

Crossovers are here to stay, so wouldn't you want them to be more interesting like the Broncos Sport?
Totally agree. I had a 2008 Escape and then a 2018. My BS OB is not an escape for sure. I just had to drive thru a serpentine two lane road that always gets flooded on the bends b/c it’s off hilly creek area here in Philly. The ‘18 Escape SEL wouldn’t have taken those areas without a bit of argument in the handling and push thru. But the BS did its job with clearance and handling. It’ll be nice to see how it handles on the more gravelly and snow roads in the weeks to come.
 


SM05

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Read the same article earlier today. I have 2 from the list - BS and RAV4 TRD, both 2021. I know I'm likely to get some pushback here, but it's just my opinion - I think they went too hard on RAV4, particularly about on-road score. Before giving RAV4 to my wife I put about 1600 miles on it, mostly on highway, and some city driving and gravel roads. To me under those conditions RAV4 performance and comfort is notch above of BS's. No question about it. Having said that, everything else, which I'm gonna find out about come winter is likely spot on. Just saying.
 

Wyo

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Ho hum another win for our Bronco Sports!
 

Molson

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Totally agree. I had a 2008 Escape and then a 2018. My BS OB is not an escape for sure. I just had to drive thru a serpentine two lane road that always gets flooded on the bends b/c it’s off hilly creek area here in Philly. The ‘18 Escape SEL wouldn’t have taken those areas without a bit of argument in the handling and push thru. But the BS did its job with clearance and handling. It’ll be nice to see how it handles on the more gravelly and snow roads in the weeks to come.
The constantly flooding roads and snow in Philly are two of the big reasons why I decided to go with the BS.
 

ZeroCool

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Great article. It’s nice to know how capable a vehicle I’m in. My only question about the comparison would be this. I thought Jeep Wranglers were like, well, jeeps. Not crossovers but actual more serious off road vehicles. Wouldn’t a fairer comparison (not that the badlands did bad) be a cherokee? Just a question.
 
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SportWest

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Wouldn’t a fairer comparison (not that the badlands did bad) be a cherokee? Just a question.
Or a Jeep Compass Trailhawk. I think the Sport most directly competes with the Compass but still overlaps with the Cherokee.
 

Osco

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On my very steep (13.5 to 14.5 degree) loose chunky gravel roads up to my house In the worst condition, that’s bone dry.
My BASE model can easily stop mid climb and restart without slipping on a single rock.
This is not small gravel but chunky 1” to 3” all shapes.
The AWD RAV 4 here cannot stop mid climb. It must be backed all the way down to start over.
Same with the Outback that’s lives up here.
Both these two vehicles throw rocks and fight for traction on the way up.
My BASE BS does not.
I have many times stopped mid climb and briskly accelerated on my steep sections.
 

Bronclahoma

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Great article. It’s nice to know how capable a vehicle I’m in. My only question about the comparison would be this. I thought Jeep Wranglers were like, well, jeeps. Not crossovers but actual more serious off road vehicles. Wouldn’t a fairer comparison (not that the badlands did bad) be a cherokee? Just a question.
I thought the same. Some You Tube reviewers picked the Cherokee Trailhawk over the BS.
 

SM05

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On my very steep (13.5 to 14.5 degree) loose chunky gravel roads up to my house In the worst condition, that’s bone dry.
My BASE model can easily stop mid climb and restart without slipping on a single rock.
This is not small gravel but chunky 1” to 3” all shapes.
The AWD RAV 4 here cannot stop mid climb. It must be backed all the way down to start over.
Same with the Outback that’s lives up here.
Both these two vehicles throw rocks and fight for traction on the way up.
My BASE BS does not.
I have many times stopped mid climb and briskly accelerated on my steep sections.
Our RAV4 my wife drives now while on paper comes with low 200s hp and 180+ torque, in reality has that torque kick in at high RPMs. So coming from a stand still or in general, going from 0 to about 40 is awfully slow. The best way I'd characterize RAV4's acceleration is anemic. And that would definitely not work for your hill. We traded in our previous generation RAV4 for BS. That old RAV4 had much better and linear acceleration, which I'm sure is still a no go for your hill. It just surprises me Toyota had dropped the ball in that department. I'm guessing they had optimized it for MPG first and acceleration second. Pushing the gas pedal in BS on the other hand puts a smile on my face. :)
 

NapsterKnowHow

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"To say we were surprised with the RAV4's poor showing is an understatement—especially considering the automaker's storied reputation for off-road capability, reliability, and ruggedness."

Before buying my Sport, I test drove the RAV4 Adventure trim and was also 'surprised' at Toyota's poor showing in terms of handling, comfort, and drivetrain.

I also test drove a Subaru Outback and Forester and find it amusing how my on-road rankings were the same as Motor Trend's off-road ones, with one key difference: I ignored Jeep altogether because I want a vehicle that won't fall apart after a year :crackup:
Just wish the interior of the Bronco Sport was as good as Jeep's top tier (ventilated seats, better materials, passenger lumbar, heated rear seats etc.)
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