2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the essence of its larger sibling, the Bronco, with a modern retro design. It featured a frameless unibody construction, making it more suited for suburban environments while still ready for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport's exterior design included short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, all contributing to its trail-ready appearance. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with various wheel options, added to its rugged charm. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, with options ranging from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known as the G-Wagen, was a luxury SUV with a distinctive boxy design that harked back to its military roots. Its straight body lines and classic two-box design gave it a rugged yet retro appearance. Inside, the G-Class featured a tasteful design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel. The cabin offered a luxurious atmosphere with multicolor ambient lighting and a Burmester Surround Sound system. Despite its luxury status, the G-Class remained a capable off-road machine, with options for adjustable suspension and three independent locking differentials. The G-Class was a status symbol, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with luxury features.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, catering to different trim levels. 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. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, with the 2.0-liter engine being the preferred choice for its character.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, specifically the G550 model, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. The G550 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, impressive for its size. The G-Class boasted a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, providing a supple ride on pavement. The G550's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its adjustable suspension, three locking differentials, and impressive approach, departure, and breakover angles. For those seeking more power, the Mercedes-AMG G63 offered a tuned V8 engine with 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features beyond the typical compact crossover. Its cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for outdoor enthusiasts. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might have found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a surprisingly practical interior, with 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The front cabin was spacious, with comfortable seats and ample storage. The tall roofline provided excellent headroom, and the second row accommodated three adults comfortably. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G550's spare tire was mounted on the tailgate, adding to its distinctive styling.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, while higher trims offered a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system provided various G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims included heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class impressed with its twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment. These screens were customizable for layout, content, and color, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. The infotainment system ran the latest version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND system, with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel for intuitive control. The G550 included a Burmester Surround Sound system, rear-seat entertainment, and multiple USB and 12-volt outlets. WiFi was standard, but wireless device charging was not available. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard features.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, 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 navigation features. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a range of safety systems, including a rearview camera, active lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The G550's size and weight provided safety advantages in some crashes, but also posed risks to pedestrians and smaller vehicles. The active lane-keeping assist could be abrupt, requiring careful understanding. Like the Bronco Sport, the G-Class had not been rated for crash-worthiness by IIHS or NHTSA.