The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Barely Beats the Honda CR-V
The battle among rugged SUVs isn’t slowing down as the Ford Bronco Sport outranks the Honda CR-V. However, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport doesn’t have much of an advantage. It only has a slightly higher score than the 2023 Honda CR-V.
2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs. 2023 Honda CR-V
According to U.S.News, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is better than the 2023 Honda CR-V, but only by a tiny amount. The Bronco Sport earned a score of 8.3 out of 10, while the CR-V got an 8.2. They came in third and fourth on the list of the best compact SUVs for 2023.
So, both vehicles deserve to be celebrated for coming ahead of tons of other options. They only come behind the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5. Each score is based on vehicle reviews published by respected automotive critics in new papers, magazines, and online.
Every vehicle is judged based on its performance, comfort, interior, safety, cargo space, tech, and awards to generate an honest score. This makes us wonder what advantage the Bronco Sport has over the CR-V.
Why does the 2023 Bronco Sport outrank the CR-V?
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is ranked highly because it’s off-roading ready, has an optional powerful engine, features a spacious/airy interior, and easy-to-use tech.
But potential reasons to avoid the Bronco Sport include its rough ride quality, especially with the Badlands trim, it has a weak fuel economy, the interior design is basic, and the infotainment graphics are drab.
The 2023 Honda CR-V receives high marks for its spacious and comfortable cabin, huge cargo hold, excellent fuel economy, and it comes with a long list of standard features.
However, the CR-V is held back by a somewhat expensive price for the class, and the engine drones under hard acceleration.
With the 2023 Bronco Sport, you get a standard 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque.
You can upgrade to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Sport gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and up to 28 mpg on the highway.
The 2023 CR-V has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V Hybrid provides 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque.
The gas-powered model gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and up to 34 mpg on the highway. The CR-V Hybrid boosts these figures to 43 and 36.
Does the CR-V or Bronco Sport have better features?
The 2023 Honda CR-V has a smoother ride quality and a sportier performance, but it might the droning engine is noticeable. The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is a little bumpier, and the seats aren’t as accommodating. Plus, there’s noticeable wind and road noise.
Plus, the tech in the CR-V is a little more intuitive and easier to use. But the Bronco Sport has better voice recognition and an enhanced built-in navigation system.
The interior materials in the CR-V may seem a bit more upscale, but the Bronco Sport has durable upholstery and trim pieces. The rubberized all-weather mats are very protective.
We can gather that the Ford Bronco Sport earned a slightly higher score because it’s more capable. Each model has standard all-wheel drive! But the Honda CR-V offers more space, comfort, and a better daily driving experience.
