Compare the2024 Lexus NXVS 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
Recommendations

Safety

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The Lexus NX 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The NX offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The NX offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor 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 NX and Bronco Sport have rear cross-traffic warning, but the NX offers optional Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Bronco Sport’s Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the NX and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 driver alert monitors.

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 NX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 30 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Bronco Sport has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The NX 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 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.

The NX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Bronco Sport’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the NX’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 Lexus NX’s reliability 33 points higher than the Bronco Sport and the Lexus NX Hybrid is rated 55 points higher than the Bronco Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

Engine

The NX has more powerful engines than the Bronco Sport:

	Horsepower
NX 250 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	203 HP
NX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	240 HP
NX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP
NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	304 HP
Bronco Sport 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder	181 HP
Bronco Sport Badlands 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.:

	NX	Bronco Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	9.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	80.8 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport 1.5:

	NX	Bronco Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	9.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.4 MPH	80.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
Bronco Sport
			MPG
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
NX
	FWD	250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	350h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
		350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		350 F Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Bronco Sport can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The NX has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 450h with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Transmission

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	NX	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	11.9 inches

The NX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bronco Sport are solid, not vented.

The NX stops shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	NX	Bronco Sport
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the NX has larger tires than the Bronco Sport (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The NX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s standard 65 series tires. The NX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

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

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX 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 better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NX is 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Bronco Sport.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The Bronco Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

Towing

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the NX, using the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Bronco Sport.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 59% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

The NX’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Bronco Sport does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The NX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 NX’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Bronco Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The NX’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The NX’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 NX 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 NX’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 NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bronco Sport, and aren’t available on the Bronco Sport Base. The NX 350/350h also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco Sport.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the NX 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 NX 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.

The NX 350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Bronco Sport isn't recommended.

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