Starting at
Starting at
181-250 | Horsepower (hp) | 141 |
65.2 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 58.8 |
8 | Screen Size (in) | 7 |
There is driving for functionality, and then there is driving for fun. Ideally, you want a vehicle that does both, a vehicle that works equally as well for driving with colleagues to a lunch meeting as it does for a weekend camping trip. It may feel like this is a difficult combination to obtain, but it certainly is possible. What you want is an SUV that has the performance capabilities to handle off-roading adventures, the sportiness to tackle the day-to-day commute, the style for personal and professional outings, and so on. To better understand what this looks like, let’s compare two top small SUVs: the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Honda HR-V. Balancing sporty design features with premium off-roading capability is a fine line to walk, and it is all too easy to let one overwhelm the other. So, let’s take a look at both of these vehicles and see which one better finds this balance between off-road performance and classy design.
In seeking a sporty off-roading vehicle, it is vital to look for the right performance features. This is self-evident when considering the off-roading side, but sports cars certainly have a performance flare of their own. While the emphasis may be on design, there must be a smoothness and ease to the vehicle’s performance in order to cultivate an effective sports car environment. Both the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2022 Honda HR-V strive to provide this smoothness and easiness on the road while also providing the excitement that you seek on the trails. But, it is difficult to find this balance, so let’s see how things even out for these two vehicles.
If you’re looking for off-roading performance, no nameplate resonates quite like Bronco. There’s a reason for this; the Ford Bronco has been one of the most acclaimed and highest-performing off-roading vehicles for decades. After a 25-year hiatus, the Bronco made a dramatic comeback in 2021. But, oh, how much better 2022 has proven to be. The Bronco Sport puts a unique spin on this iconic vehicle, as it maintains all of the Bronco’s exciting off-roading features but adds a sportiness to it in order to appeal to those seeking a more refined on-road experience.
So what does performance look like in the Bronco Sport? Well, two engine options provide the vehicle with power and the driver with versatility. Your two options are the 1.5-liter EcoBoost and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost; if you’re looking to give this SUV a little extra boost, then you’ll want to go with the 2.0-liter option, which is available on the Badlands trim. With advanced 4x4 capability for exciting off-roading times, 250 hp, and 277 lb-ft of torque, you’ll be looking at optimal off-roading performance specs in your Bronco Sport.
The Badlands trim puts itself in a uniquely good position by keeping its curb weight manageable; this gives the vehicle the lightness and flexibility it needs to tackle the trails in a sustainable and fun way. Plus, the Bronco Sport comes with the innovative GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain) driving modes, which includes five standard terrain options: Sand, Slippery, Sport, Eco, and Normal. Once more, the Badlands trim gives a little bit extra by providing two additional terrain options: Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. So, no matter what the trails look like, you’ll be able to tackle them in your Bronco Sport.
The 2022 Honda HR-V takes a bit of a different approach. With just one engine option across all trims, HR-V is more limited. The 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine provides the vehicle with 141 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. This level of capability will suit basic commuting needs but won’t have the same gusto you’re looking for in order to hit the trails or drive at a heightened level. The HR-V does not include any significant performance features gearing it towards off-roading, which means that you may have a harder time using the vehicle for more adventurous purposes. The HR-V’s main strength will be efficient city driving as it lacks the extra power of the Bronco Sport.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that suits your needs on the street but also goes above and beyond when life takes you off the road, then the 2022 Bronco Sport is the SUV for you.
Both sportiness and off-roading readiness are achieved largely through vehicle design. Both the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2022 Honda HR-V are constructed in specific ways to suit specific needs. Crafting the exterior of a vehicle in such a way that it conveys both sportiness and athleticism can be difficult, despite the linguistic closeness of the terms.
The 2022 Honda HR-V puts sportiness at the top of its priority list, with a bold, rounded architecture that gives it a contemporary and sleek mood. With MacPherson strut front suspension and either Torsion-Beam or DeDion rear suspension (depending upon whether you choose a 2WD trim or an AWD trim), the HR-V is well-equipped for smooth city rides. The vehicle’s fierce coloring (no matter which color you choose) with its signature shine, LED lighting, and a uniquely-designed slated grille really bring home the sport in the HR-V. If sportiness is your only priority, the 2022 HR-V could be a good fit.
If, however, you really are trying to find that balance of sportiness and off-roading readiness, the HR-V may be somewhat limiting in that its architecture is really not oriented towards off-roading. The 2022 Bronco Sport, however, lives up to its iconic nameplate with a design that includes the sportiness desired for city streets and the practicality required for the trails. With up to 8.8-inches of ground clearance, wide front fenders, a flat bodyside, and a one-piece grille, the Bronco Sport is set up for adventure.
The Badlands trim is able to be equipped with available 235/65R17 All-Terrain tires, making the vehicle far more capable in dirt and mud. If that wasn’t enough for you, it’s also capable of a 30.4-degree approach angle, 20.4-degree breakover angle, and 33.1-degree departure angle. That is the kind of design you need when looking for an off-roader.
While it is an off-road champion living up to its nameplate, the Bronco Sport also lives up to its title with plenty of sporty features! The new Bronco has become very acclaimed not only for its off-roading excellence but also for its fantastic design scheme. With a contrast-color safari-style roof, round headlamps, and of course, the Bronco nameplate itself, the vehicle looks just as good on the streets of Indianapolis as it does out in the wild. And this sportiness won’t be damaged by any off-roading you take up, thanks to wheel arch moldings and rocker panels which work to protect the vehicle’s beautiful exterior. If you’re seeking the ideal balance between sporty features and off-roading capability, the 2022 Ford Bronco has the balance built right into its very design.
Those seeking a sports vehicle are likely to focus heavily on the vehicle’s interior, as that is the factor that most directly impacts the driver’s experience and cultivates the sporty environment. Those seeking an off-roading vehicle will also look for the right interior features that help cultivate a good off-roading experience. So, what does one look for when seeking both of those things in one vehicle? Our comparison of the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs the 2022 Honda HR-V should help to shed some light on this.
The Honda HR-V keeps its interior relatively simple, offering some seat stitching patterns and predominantly black colors, keeping it nice and sleek. The HR-V’s sportiness comes mainly in the form of its modern technology, including a digital driver information center. This, combined with its available infotainment system, provides the HR-V’s interior with a welcoming glow that matches the sportiness of the exterior. Central placement of control knobs gives the vehicle a symmetrical and controlled look, but the HR-V does not take it much further with sportiness, nor does it offer anything which specifically helps to cultivate off-roading adventures.
The 2022 Bronco, while being a champion off-roader, also provides a significantly sportier interior. The Outer Banks and Badlands trims will both provide beautiful interiors with leather-appointed and color-contrasted seats, but what makes the seats really exciting is the iconic Bucking Bronco logo stitched right in. With bold and bright color accents not only on the seats but throughout the vehicle itself, the Bronco Sport does an excellent job at setting the mood and cultivating ambiance. And it certainly has plenty of premium technology to take things further, including a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment technology. The Bronco’s technology is even designed to help you perform better on the trail through features like the trail view camera.
The Bronco’s interior isn’t just sporty; it also aids the vehicle in its exciting off-roading performance capabilities! The safari-style roof means that you get more interior space for loading up your gear, and with 60/40-folding rear seats, you’ll have more room than the HR-V for whatever you need. With hidden storage, including under-seat storage and zippable seatback storage, you’ll have plenty of options. Extra features like a power outlet and rear flood lights mean you’ll be ready for a variety of situations. The most exciting part about the Bronco’s interior? That would be the built-in bottle opener. Yes, you read that correctly. The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport has a bottle opener built into the back hatch. So, no need to go thirsty on your next camping trip.
The Bronco Sport simply exceeds expectations when it comes to combining sportiness and off-roading readiness through its interior; if this is the combination you are looking for, then there is no question that the Bronco Sport is your vehicle.