2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs that enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The SUV's wheel options ranged from 17-inch to 18-inch, with various finishes and tire types to suit different driving needs. 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 to leather-trimmed seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor and seat protectors.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia was a full-size SUV that had been around since 2007, with a facelift in 2018. Its design updates were subtle, and the vehicle's large silhouette remained imposing. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin felt dated, with a massive center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dashboard. Despite its size, the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample space and comfort. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering various features like leather upholstery, heated seats, and premium audio systems. The Nightshade Special Edition added blacked-out styling elements, while the TRD Pro was geared for off-road use with features like Fox Racing shocks and a TRD-tuned suspension.

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 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 were equipped with 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 competent commuter, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more refined driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, generating 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and four-wheel drive available. The Sequoia's V8 provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. However, the six-speed transmission was somewhat outdated compared to modern multi-speed options, impacting fuel economy. The Sequoia drove like a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes, offering a confident driving experience. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active lifestyles in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space that could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the Bronco Sport 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 visibility was somewhat limited by the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one of the roomiest in its class. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a convenient feature for accessing the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided deep door pockets and a massive center console for storage. Despite its age, the Sequoia offered plenty of space for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. It came with FordConnect and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included multiple drive modes, with additional off-road modes on the Badlands and First Edition trims. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all but the Base model, and higher trims featured a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menus and large hard buttons. While the digital trip computer was small, it was easy to navigate. The Sequoia's technology was dated but straightforward, offering essential connectivity features.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All Bronco Sport models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. However, crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. While the Sequoia lacked advanced features like lane-keeping assist, it provided a comprehensive set of safety features. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test, but further crash test ratings were not available.