Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2025 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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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Ford Bronco Sport which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The Lexus NX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Ford Bronco Sport does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the NX is safer than the Bronco Sport:

	NX	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	NX	Bronco Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	43	80
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	96 lbs.	198 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	144
Hip Force	600 lbs.	689 lbs.

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 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Bronco Sport:

	NX	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	335 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.98 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1383 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.34 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1093 lbs.

The Lexus NX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Bronco Sport is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

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 Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 13 points higher than the Bronco Sport and the Lexus NX is rated 32 points higher than the Bronco Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Bronco Sport was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 13th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 13th.

Engine

The NX has more powerful engines than the Bronco Sport:

	Horsepower
NX 350h AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	240 HP
NX 350 AWD 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP
NX 450h+ Premium AWD 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 AWD 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

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+ Premium AWD Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
Bronco Sport
			MPG
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

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

			MPG
NX
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/38 hwy
	AWD	350h AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h+ Premium AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 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	123 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 1.4 seconds quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.2 seconds @ .62 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 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the NX Premium/Luxury/F Sport, 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 second in service department satisfaction. With a 39% 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, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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. With the Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bronco Sport’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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.

Both the Lexus NX and Ford Bronco Sport offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The NX features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Bronco Sport’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bronco Sport. The NX 350 Luxury/350h Luxury/350h F Sport 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 is only available on the Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands.

The NX Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. 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.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lexus NX retains 61.59% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.91% resale value of the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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