The age of the compact crossover began in the late 1970s, and its popularity has only increased in the following decades. Many people prefer SUVs over other types of vehicles because of their practicality, safety, and efficiency. Whether it’s a young family, a middle-aged couple and their dog, or a group of friends, these vehicles are an excellent choice for lots of individuals. There’s plenty of room for seating and storage, many models are comfortable off-road or on the highway, and there are plenty of vehicles to choose from. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the segment, the compact SUV makes an impact. With newer models arriving on the market, it seems like a good idea to contrast and compare why people would buy specific crossovers, hence the comparisons between the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Honda HR-V.
Practical Family Space
Many families have at least three or four members, sometimes even five, and a sedan can only be so comfortable when everyone is squished into a small space. Crossovers are helpful in these instances because while they may have the same amount of seating, there’s quite a bit more space to stretch and move around. My family at one time owned a Ford Taurus, then a Mazda Protege, and while they also had five seats, we were cramped, fighting for room to move our elbows and knees. Something like the Honda HR-V would have been more spacious, allowing for fewer fights and more relaxation for everyone. The HR-V is noted for its legroom for all passengers and more headroom for the driver and front passenger than a regular sedan.
The Ford Bronco Sport has legroom and headroom for all passengers, providing a comfortable ride no matter how long the commute. Even if you’re bringing along four-legged critters, there’s enough space for them to sit, lie down, and find a cozy spot. My family had a first-generation Isuzu Trooper in the early 1990s, which was not a full-size SUV like the later models, and it functioned very similarly to the Bronco Sport with plenty of legroom and headroom and bigger seats. We took our dogs along to fishing trips, camping trips, and parks with no issue––they just sat in the back. Whether you’re a single person, you have a family, or you like to go somewhere on the weekends with friends, the crossover provides plenty of space for everyone and everything you can fit inside.
Innovative Storage
Another perk of crossovers is that there’s more storage space than a regular sedan. Being able to fold down the second row of seats brings even more storage opportunities, which is perfect for those people who enjoy camping, being on the water, or taking road trips on a whim. You can pack up a tent, mattress, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, and more without trying to pile everything up on top or contemplate renting a small U-Haul. The Bronco Sport is especially fit for those people who want to take their life on the road for a bit––upper trim levels have the option to include a table that slides out when you need a desk, and it also has overhead LED lighting and a power inverter. Storage-wise, the Bronco Sport is big enough to house a couple of bikes and even boasts a storage bin underneath the second row.
The Honda HR-V prides itself on providing more usable storage space than some bigger vehicles, thanks to the Honda “Magic Seat.” This allows for deeper storage due to the seat cushion being able to flip up as well as the seat backs to fold down. A deeper storage area means being able to haul bigger items, so if you’re one of those people who sees furniture on the side of the road or runs across an antique that you need to have, the Honda HR-V has you covered. It could also be used if you have a larger instrument like my family did––we had to tote around a harp and a cello, and not many family-friendly vehicles are up to that task.
Safety Features
One of the bonuses of having newer vehicles, such as the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport or the 2022 Honda HR-V, is that you have an array of choices for safety features. Some features come standard even on the most basic trim level, while others are added the higher up you go. While the HR-V does not offer newer safety features as standard, there are available options, such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Even if you decide to forego these, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has tested the 2022 HR-V, and it scores very high––a five out of five overall rating for both the rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The Ford Bronco comes standard with a host of tech safety features, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warnings. If you’re looking to add on a few new features, you can include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology. It is also rated an overall five out of five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so whichever of these catches your eye, they’re both safe for you, your passengers, and whatever else you decide to bring along.
Highway Performance and Off-Road Opportunities
This might be the biggest difference between the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2022 Honda HR-V––one of them is suited more for highway driving, road trips, and vacations, while the other can be equipped to go off-road at a moment’s notice.
The Ford Bronco Sport has multiple trim levels, but the Badlands trim includes a one-inch suspension lift, a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock, and all-terrain tires, as well as shock absorbers. The Bronco Sport Badlands is fit to climb and crawl through a variety of challenging landscapes, though if you aren’t interested in the Badlands trim level, you can still explore the outdoors just fine in the regular Bronco Sport.
The Honda HR-V is more suited to road trips, especially if you’re going to be taking the highway. Its smooth ride makes for quite a comfortable time, and if you still want to do a little outdoor exploring, there are some easier trails, campsites, and the like that will satisfy your urge to be outdoors. However, the HR-V is not capable of towing, while the Bronco Sport can tow up to 2,200 lbs if properly equipped.
Another difference between the two is that the Bronco Sport has an eight-speed automatic transmission and the choice between two turbocharged engines. The larger engine option provides an impressive 250 hp. Meanwhile, the HR-V has a CVT and a small 1.8L engine that produces just 141 hp. So if you want some pep in your ride, you will probably want to opt for the Bronco Sport.
One Car Does Not Fit All
The Honda HR-V and Ford Bronco Sport are both considered compact crossovers, but there are a few major differences between the two that show pretty distinctly what each one’s purpose is. Do you enjoy long days on the road with the windows down, singing along to the radio as you head toward your next location? Or do you prefer exploring more rocky terrain, splashing through streams, and car camping on the weekend? Other things to consider about these two models are the safety features (standard and optional), storage, and practicality. Are you really going to spend every weekend off-roading or mudding with your buddies, or is that something you’ve dreamed about but have never had the chance to experience? Are you looking for something that can tote the whole family to Disneyland with minimal complaints about seating arrangements? Depending on your lifestyle, must-haves, and goals, one or the other will be a better fit.
