Compare the2027 Honda CR-V VS 2026 Ford Bronco Sport

The Honda CR-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Bronco Sport’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the CR-V 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

	CR-V	Bronco Sport
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	17.1%	26%

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

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 Honda CR-V is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	CR-V	Bronco Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	72	80
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	115 lbs.	198 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	71	144
Hip Force	613 lbs.	689 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Bronco Sport:

	CR-V	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	138	184
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	335 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	.98 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.42 in
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	1093 lbs.	1383 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	119	142
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.94 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.34 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CR-V is 1.9% less likely to roll over than the Bronco Sport.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CR-V’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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 11th.

The CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (190 vs. 180) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.:

	CR-V	Bronco Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	9.2 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	14 sec	16.5 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.1 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.2 MPH	80.8 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
CR-V
	FWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/36 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/34 hwy
		TrailSport 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/31 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy
		Sasquatch 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	23 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the CR-V Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Bronco Sport Badlands requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Bronco Sport. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco Sport (5 to 6). This means the CR-V produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco Sport every 15,000 miles.

The CR-V has a standard 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.

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

	CR-V 1.5T	CR-V Hybrid	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	12.6 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	12.2 inches	11.9 inches

The CR-V stops much shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	CR-V	Bronco Sport
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

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

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s 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 optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. The Bronco Sport’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CR-V’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (106.3 inches vs. 105 inches).

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid handles at .85 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

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

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

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid is quieter than the Bronco Sport Badlands (72 vs. 73 dB).

The CR-V has .4 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bronco Sport.

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

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 32.5 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 20% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

The CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring Hybrid’s standard easy entry system 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 CR-V’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Bronco Sport’s standard power window’s switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches. With the Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Bronco Sport’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Honda CR-V retains 61.29% to 65.48% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.91% resale value of the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport after five years, which can save the Honda’s owner up to $5163 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda CR-V and the Ford Bronco Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by over three to one during 2025.