2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to connect with the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior styling. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it maintained a Mustang-like appearance with thin headlights, a long hood, and a large oval grille. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including Grabber Blue, reinforced this connection. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist design dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen and a thin rectangular display for the instrument cluster. The interior materials were of decent quality, but some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of a leather-upholstery option, even in the top trim levels.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all grades, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V. While CVTs often had a reputation for sluggish response, Honda's engineers managed to make the CR-V feel quick, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nimble handling, and minimal body roll. Its lightweight design contributed to its impressive fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, on the other hand, was designed to be sporty, with RWD as the default and 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 most powerful option, the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasted 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was commendable, with responsive steering and a planted feel due to its low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in a less comfortable ride. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving, enhancing its sporty appeal.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. It provided excellent head- and legroom, thanks to its optimal seating position and low cowl. The cargo compartment was roomy, with a two-position load floor allowing for flexible storage options. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. Its low driving position and roofline didn't create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E offered less interior space, with the Model Y providing more headroom and legroom. The Mach-E's cargo space was also less than the Model Y's, with 1,690 litres available with the second row folded. However, it did feature a 133-litre front trunk (frunk) and a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V was equipped with plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, with a massive 15.5-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The screen's size was its most notable feature, as the text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. The Mach-E also included a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with caveats for trims below Touring due to halogen headlights. A recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected only 358 vehicles.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top ratings for crash testing. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. This feature would be available via OTA update for a fee.