Compare the2023 Ford Bronco SportVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Bronco Sport have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Bronco Sport are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Bronco Sport has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Bronco Sport. But it costs extra on the Outlander Sport.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Bronco Sport’s standard Trail Control allows you to creep down safely. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer Trail Control.

The Bronco Sport has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Outlander Sport SE/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Bronco Sport has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Outlander Sport SE/GT has a rear cross-path warning system.

The Bronco Sport’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Bronco Sport has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Bronco Sport and the Outlander Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Bronco Sport	Outlander Sport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	140	208
Neck Injury Risk	26%	29%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	29 lbs.	90 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	123/237 lbs.	334/511 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	153	251
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	43%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	221 lbs.
Neck Compression	54 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	385/291 lbs.	394/494 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Outlander Sport:

	Bronco Sport	Outlander Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	79	84
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	1 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	24 cm	28 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.7/0 kN	3.43/.93 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.52/.44	.68/.36

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 Ford Bronco Sport is safer than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Bronco Sport	Outlander Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	80	163
Hip Force	205 lbs.	518 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	144	349
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	689 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	17 inches
HIC	255	365
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	512 lbs.	807 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Bronco Sport its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander Sport is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The Bronco Sport’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander Sport’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bronco Sport’s warranty.

Reliability

The Bronco Sport has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Bronco Sport has a standard 760-amp battery. The Outlander Sport’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Bronco Sport third among small SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Outlander Sport isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

Engine

The Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (181 vs. 148) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 145) than the Outlander Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Bronco Sport’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (181 vs. 168) and 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (250 vs. 168) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Bronco Sport	Outlander Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	9.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	26.8 sec	32 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.7 sec	10.2 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	79 MPH
Top Speed	125 MPH	113 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Bronco Sport
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
Outlander Sport
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Bronco Sport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Bronco Sport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Bronco Sport	Outlander Sport
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11.6 inches

The Bronco Sport stops much shorter than the Outlander Sport:

	Bronco Sport	Outlander Sport
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Bronco Sport has larger standard tires than the Outlander Sport (225/65R17 vs. 215/70R16). The Bronco Sport’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander Sport (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

The Bronco Sport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander Sport S’ standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Bronco Sport has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander Sport S.

The Bronco Sport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Outlander Sport; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco Sport is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander Sport.

The Bronco Sport’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Outlander Sport’s (59% to 41%). This gives the Bronco Sport more stable handling and braking.

The Bronco Sport Badlands executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Outlander Sport SE 4WD (28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Bronco Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander Sport (8.8 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the Bronco Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Bronco Sport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Bronco Sport has 8.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander Sport (105.7 vs. 97.5).

The Bronco Sport has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 3.8 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander Sport.

Cargo Capacity

The Bronco Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat up (32.5 vs. 21.7 cubic feet). The Bronco Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat folded (65.2 vs. 49.5 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Bronco Sport. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Bronco Sport’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Outlander Sport’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The Bronco Sport Badlands offers up to a 2200 lbs. towing capacity. The Outlander Sport has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Bronco Sport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Bronco Sport uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander Sport uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Bronco Sport Badlands, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Bronco Sport’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Outlander Sport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Bronco Sport and the Outlander Sport have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Bronco Sport is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander Sport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ 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 Outlander Sport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Bronco Sport the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Outlander Sport can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Bronco Sport’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outlander Sport’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Bronco Sport’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Bronco Sport has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Outlander Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Bronco Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Bronco Sport has standard extendable sun visors. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer extendable visors.

On extremely cold winter days, the Bronco Sport’s optional (except Base/Big Bend) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Bronco Sport (except Base/Big Bend)’s optional 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. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Bronco Sport and the Outlander Sport offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Bronco Sport Big Bend/Outer Banks/Badlands has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Bronco Sport Big Bend/Outer Banks/Badlands offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Bronco Sport (except Base) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands/First Edition has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Bronco Sport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Bronco Sport will cost $585 to $2855 less than the Outlander Sport over a five-year period.

The Bronco Sport will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Bronco Sport will retain 59.2% to 61.37% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander Sport only retains 47.78% to 49.36%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Bronco Sport will be $378 to $1123 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Bronco Sport first among small SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Outlander Sport isn’t in the top three.

The Ford Bronco Sport outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by over six to one during 2022.