Ford Bronco Sport vs. Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road: Small dirt comparo

All right, let's dig into the Bronco Sport. Let's match it up with another compact crossover the popular Toyota RAV4. Now I want to stick to the off roadiness of both of these, because that's just the kind of girl I am. So let's go with the Bronco Sport in the Badlands trim and the RAV4 in the new TRD off road trim. Now to be clear, I haven't had the chance to drive either one of these, thanks Coronavirus. So right now we're just sticking purely to the numbers and the features here comparing overall size and utility, engine options offered geometry and price. Ready? Let's go. [MUSIC] Broncos sports And the raffle are pretty similar in wheelbase. 105.1 inches for the Broncos sport 105.9 inches for the Rav4 but the similarities pretty much in their overall the Ford is 172.7 inches long. While the Toyota is way longer at 181.5 inches, the Broncos sport is at 2.2 inches wide while the RAF fours a little bit more perky at 84.6 inches, Bronco sports and 74.4 inches from the ground. The Rav4 is a little bit shorter at 68.6 inches. Looking at the track with the Ford is 63.4 inches and 62.8 inches front and rear, while the Toyota is almost opposite 62.6 inches and 63.3 inches front and rear. Moving inside the Bronco Sport has 29.4 cubic feet of space behind that second row of seating and the Rav4 has 37.5 cubes. The Bronco's space expands to 60.6 cubes when those seats are folded While the rav4 goes big expanding to 69.8 cubic feet. In terms of towing and payload, the bronco sport can hold 1000 pounds of gear, but the rav4 squeaks out a little bit more at 1050 pounds. The Bronco sport can tow a respectable 2200 pounds. But the rav4 has got it beat with a whopping 3500 pounds of maximum towing ability. Now there are a few features of the bronco sport that I really dig like the flip glass rear window and an integrated bottle opener in the cargo space. But the rav4 utility numbers are just really good. It's got more space and that tow rating is amazing for the class so the wind here goes to the rav4 [MUSIC] Moving on let's talk about engines, while the Bronco sport can be had with a 1.5 liter EcoBoost three cylinder engine on the base model. Remember we're talking about the Badlands trim here with a two liter EcoBoost four cylinder engine, pushing out 245 horsepower and 275 pound feet of torque And that has made it to an eight speed automatic transmission. Throughout four also gets an eight speed automatic transmission but it's 2.5 liter naturally aspirated four cylinder engine only produces 203 horses and 184 pound feet of twist further that torque in the bronco sport comes in relatively low at the power band at 3000 RPM In the rap for you have to wait all the way until 5000 RPM to get full twist. When the offered mantra is as slow as possible as fast as necessary. You're likely not going to be accessing this full torque when you're slowly navigating obstacles. So chalk one up for the Broncos sport [MUSIC]. [MUSIC] All right, let's look at off-road prowess. Now geometry numbers aren't necessarily the end-all be-all of performance, but they do give a good indication of how far a vehicle can get before getting stuck or damaged. The Bronco Sport has 8.8 inches of ground clearance The rav4 isn't far behind with 8.6 inches. The Ford writes on maximum 29 inch Falcon wildpeak altering tires. The rav4 is not far behind but the same brand and model just size down to 28.5 inches. However, the bronco sport in this Badlands trim has an approach angle of 30.4 degrees compared to the paltry 19 degrees in the rav4 TRD. Off Road trim. The Fords departure angle is 33.1 degrees compared to the 21 degrees in Toyota With the same wheelbase and similar tire size and ground clearance, I'd expect the breakover angles to be pretty close. The Ford is at 20.4 degrees, but it was not able to provide us the breakover angle at the time of this recording. But even leaving out that breakover angle, just look at the departure and approach angles. Broncos sport is going to be able to get you way further into the wild in the Toyota. [MUSIC] Price however is often the deciding factor. I mean what good is capability if you can afford it? Am I right?. The Ford Bronco Sport in Badlands trim with the upgraded tires that we use for this is $34,650 and that includes $1,495 for destination. The Toyota rav4 in TRD off road trim will set you back at $36,400 including $1,120 for destination. Well, I'm stoked that the Toyota is trying to bring some offered credit to the rav4. It just can't match the capabilities of the bronco sport and it's more expensive to boot. Sure it's got more towing and payload capability and those features are on a lot of people's must have lists but you could prioritize adventure and dirt worthiness, which probably lay down your dollars for the Broncos sport. Now, will I change my mind when I drive the two? I mean, it's possible, but looking at those numbers. I'm going with the Broncos sport. [MUSIC]