by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the Summer of 2020, amidst a global pandemic, Ford unveiled their 2021 Ford Bronco alongside the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The full-size SUV made its way back onto dealer lots for the first time since 1996 in July 2020. Completely redesigned for a modern look with the same tough, off-roading attitude, the SUV immediately garnered the attention of Bronco lovers everywhere. With plenty of space, the capability to drive off-road, and of course the ability to remove doors, the Bronco made its way onto lots with two versions; The Bronco and the Bronco Sport. But what are the differences between them and is the 2021 Bronco worth the upgrade? Here’s the 2021 Ford Bronco vs. the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.

Ford Bronco vs. Ford Bronco Sport Differences

ENGINES

One of the most important differences to consumers everywhere is in the engine. The Bronco offers the options of both a four-cylinder delivering 270 hp as well as a V-6 with 310 hp. 

While the Bronco Sport shares engine options with the Ford Escape, giving drivers either a three-cylinder with 181 hp or a four-cylinder 245 hp engine.

Depending on a buyer’s ideal usage for the Ford Bronco, either option may be viable. The Bronco is going to be the way hardcore enthusiasts go, looking for more power for off-road driving or just speed in general. Casual consumers may be more attracted to the 2021 Bronco Sport, since its smaller engine sizes will offer better gas mileage, and as an everyday driver provide everything they might need. The decision is ultimately yours, but the Bronco definitely provides more power if that’s what you’re looking for. In that sense, the Bronco is certainly worth the upgrade.

BODY & CHASSIS

Another important feature to fans of the new Ford Bronco is of course how well it can stand up to the competition. Part of the competition being Jeep Wranglers and any other vehicle with removable doors and roofs. To some, the Bronco might not even be of interest to them unless the doors come off. Fortunately, they do, but not on the Sport version.

The Bronco offers three designs for hard and soft top varying in capability. Remove all doors, drive fully open or closed, and stow all the panels on the four-door model. Taking into account weather and off-road conditions, Ford has also added waterproof vinyl upholstery and drains on the floors. This version is a body-on-frame truck-based SUV chassis, modeled after the new Ford Ranger pickup truck. 

The Bronco Sport comes in only one body style, to which the doors and roof will always be attached. The sport version does not come with anything detachable but has an optional moonroof with at least the Badlands trim level. The Bronco Sport chassis is the same as the Ford Escape crossover SUV. Therefore, this is more of a “car-based” SUV instead of a truck.

The Sport version of the Bronco will drive and handle similar to a small SUV. The Bronco will be closer to a large SUV or truck.

TRIM LEVELS & PRICING

As far as any vehicle purchase goes, the most important things at the end of the day are available options and cost. There are major differences in price for the two versions of Bronco with the standard Bronco starting at $28,500 and the most expensive option being $57,410. That’s a range of $28,910 between the Base model and the First Edition. The Bronco Sport Base starts just slightly under the Bronco at $26,660, with its First Edition trim level costing just $38,160. 

The Ford Bronco offers seven different trim options – Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, and First Edition. Four-door models are automatically more expensive than the two-door, and trim levels obviously vary based on engine, technology, and other features. 

The Ford Bronco Sport offers just five trim options – Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, and First Edition. While the Sport misses on many features the Bronco has, the price may be worth it. The First Edition trim level of Sport can be had for almost $800 fewer than the Outer Banks Bronco. So while you’d still miss out on key features like detaching doors and a V-6 engine, the luxury included in the First Edition may make up for it.

Ford Bronco or Ford Bronco Sport

So you’re looking for an off-roading, no-door Bronco that can drive fast? The 2021 Ford Bronco is the one for you. Especially when looking at the base models of either Bronco. The base Bronco costs just $1,840 more than the base Bronco Sport. If luxury doesn’t matter as much and capability is your primary concern, there’s no reason to settle for the Sport at this trim level. Of course, it becomes extremely costly as you add more features.

At the end of the day, there’s a Bronco for everyone. Any version of the Bronco Sport is going to be the way to go if you’re looking for a slightly smaller SUV, regardless of speed or power. If your search is for a full-size SUV or Jeep Wrangler Rubicon replacement, the Bronco is the only choice. Both of these vehicles have sleek interiors and plenty of options to choose from. As far as the debate of the 2021 Ford Bronco vs. 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, it’s up to the needs of the buyer.

RELATED: The 2022 Ford Bronco Borrows More From the Jeep Wrangler

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

In a true paradigm shift for the brand, Lotus has simultaneously abandoned internal combustion engines and embraced SUVs in one fell swoop. Backed by Chinese automaker Geely, the storied British marque is now moving toward electrification at racing speeds. All previous Lotus vehicles have been either two-door convertible or mid-engined sports cars, largely influenced by its exploits on the race tracks of Formula 1.

Now, faced with the seemingly inevitable reality of electric vehicles as a mainstream choice, Lotus is pivoting to meet future demand. Two of the forthcoming models will be SUVs, with a four-door coupe and sports car in the works as well. These new models are separate and on top of the previous Evija hypercar.

The Evija hypercar is only the first electric step for Lotus

Lotus has been working on an all-electric hypercar called the Evija for quite some time now. Ironically, market leader Tesla used the company’s Elise as the foundation for its first electric Roadster product. Elon Musk even sent one into space during a mission for his other company Space X. Now Lotus is pursuing a full lineup of electrified offerings to supplement the Evija.

“The development of the brand’s new premium lifestyle vehicles will take place on the Lotus Premium architecture, one of the four new vehicle platforms announced at the Driving Tomorrow global strategy conference in April,” said a spokesperson for Lotus, per the website Electrek.co. “The Premium architecture supports a wheelbase range from 2,889mm-3,100mm and could be further expanded in the future. It supports the development of all types of passenger vehicles from C+ to E segments. Using 92-120kWh batteries, it is compatible with the industry’s most advanced 800-volt high-speed EV charging system. Products developed on this platform will be capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in under three seconds.”

Lotus and Nio Inc. are looking to partner on intelligent EVs

According to Bloomberg, Lotus Technology has just signed with Nio Capital “to explore collaboration in areas including high-end intelligent EVs.” Using the new Lotus Premium architecture, the company plans to start with an SUV called Type 132 that will debut in 2022. The year after, itwill launch a new four-door coupe with the codename Type 133. The second phase of EV development will commence with the Type 134 SUV in 2025, followed by an all-new electric sports car in 2026, called the Type 135.

The Emira will be the last internal combustion car from Hethel

Lotus Technology just broke ground on a new location in Wuhan, China, with an estimated production capacity of 150,000 electric vehicles. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to continue production at both UK factories in the near term as well. Given those facts, it appears that the Emira will be the last in a long line of gasoline-powered sports cars from the legendary plant in Hethel, England.

Final thoughts

Since the days of founder Colin Chapman, Lotus has been driven by innovation. The next electric chapter is only a logical next step for the company. It will surely yield cars, and now SUVs, that are a blast to drive. The sound of its many decades of internal combustion engines will be missed, however.

RELATED: James Bond Made the Lotus Esprit a Star

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