2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, presented a clean and somewhat understated design that some might have considered boring. However, this simplicity contributed to its timeless appeal, making it a practical choice for those planning to keep their SUV for many years. The King Ranch edition stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, and LED headlights, all accentuated by a Star White metallic paint. Inside, the Expedition King Ranch featured Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with King Ranch logos throughout, although the presence of hard plastics in lower trims was a point of contention.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to capture the essence of the traditional Mustang with its sporty exterior styling, despite being an electric SUV. It featured thin headlights, a long hood, and a non-functional oval grille, with taillights reminiscent of the original Mustang. The interior was dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen, giving it a minimalist feel akin to Tesla vehicles. While the materials were of decent quality, the lack of a leather upholstery option might have disappointed some buyers. The First Edition models offered unique trim elements, adding a touch of exclusivity.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided ample power and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition's 4WD system, standard in Canada, offered a towing capacity of up to 4,173 kilograms, with the MAX version slightly lower at 4,082 kilograms. Despite its size, the Expedition handled urban environments well, thanks to its tight turning radius and adaptive damping suspension, although the ride could be busy on imperfect roads.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, designed to live up to the Mustang name, offered a range of powertrain configurations. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The AWD GT Performance Edition was the most powerful, with 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Our test car, with a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivered 346 hp and 428 lb-ft, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was nimble, aided by a low-mounted battery pack, though the ride quality suffered due to the taut suspension and larger wheels.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo carrying, and passenger accommodation. The King Ranch's power running boards facilitated easy entry, and the heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, ensured comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row in the standard-length model, expanding to 2,962 litres with all seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a station wagon-like packaging. The driving position was low, and the interior space was less than that of the Tesla Model Y. The Mach-E offered 840 litres of cargo space with the second row in place and 1,690 litres with it folded. A 133-litre front trunk added to its practicality. Interior storage included a decent-sized bin between the front seats and a wireless charging pad beneath the touchscreen.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, which was easy to use but felt outdated compared to newer systems. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. A premium Bang & Olufsen sound system and a rear-seat entertainment system were available, along with Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier towing.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was equipped with the new Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 15.5-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The system supported over-the-air updates and included a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's design was text-heavy, making it less intuitive, but it replaced analog controls for climate settings.

The 2020 Ford Expedition, with its substantial weight, offered inherent crash safety. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top crash test ratings. It included standard driver-assist features like automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on certain highways, available via an OTA update.