Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2023 Ford Bronco Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RDX Advance has a standard Surround-View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Bronco Sport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the RDX and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	RDX	Bronco Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	80
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	198 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	124	144
Hip Force	462 lbs.	689 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the RDX is 2.4% less likely to roll over than the Bronco Sport.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Bronco Sport has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The RDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bronco Sport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Bronco Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Bronco Sport ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Bronco Sport.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the RDX’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 33 points higher than the Bronco Sport.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 10 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 91 more horsepower (272 vs. 181) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 190) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (272 vs. 250) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 277) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	RDX	Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.	Bronco Sport Badlands
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	9.2 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	16.8 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.7 MPH	80.8 MPH	87.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the RDX gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
RDX
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
		A-Spec 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

The RDX has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (17.1 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Bronco Sport.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco Sport:

	RDX	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.9 inches

The RDX stops much shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	RDX	Bronco Sport
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	129 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the Bronco Sport (235/55R19 vs. 225/65R17). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bronco Sport (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s standard 65 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Bronco Sport. The RDX A-Spec’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Bronco Sport.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The RDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Bronco Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (108.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Bronco Sport.

The RDX A-Spec AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend (8.2 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the RDX has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The RDX has 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Bronco Sport.

Cargo Capacity

The RDX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the RDX has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the RDX Advance, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco Sport’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 33% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the RDX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Bronco Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The RDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Bronco Sport Big Bend/Outer Banks/Badlands.

When the RDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bronco Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RDX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bronco Sport offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RDX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bronco Sport, and aren’t available on the Bronco Sport Base. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco Sport.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RDX A-Spec/Advance keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RDX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Bronco Sport and isn’t available on the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend.

Model Availability

The RDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $485 to $1690 less than the Bronco Sport over a five-year period.

Recommendations

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	RDX	Bronco Sport
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a

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