2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible with its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained a Mustang-like appearance with its thin headlights, elongated hood, and a large, non-functional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, which hung awkwardly in the middle of the dashboard. A thin rectangular display served as the instrument cluster, displaying speed as "ground speed," akin to other Mustang models. The minimalist interior, reminiscent of Tesla's electric cars, featured decent quality materials but lacked a leather-upholstery option, even in higher trims. The First Edition models boasted unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, distinguishing them from other variants.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a revised exterior. New standard LED headlights flanked the Pacifica's hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular aesthetic compared to the elegance of previous years. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its centre. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica stood out from other minivans like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival. It balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured soft-touch materials, quilted Nappa leather seats, and a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Pacifica's doors had a well-weighted feel, and its sound-deadening technology ensured a quiet ride.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. It came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and offered a range of powertrain configurations. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option was the all-wheel-drive (AWD) GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 horsepower, 428 lb-ft of torque, and a zero to 100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel due to its low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in poor ride quality. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving with aggressive regenerative braking.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. In Canada, AWD was an extra-cost option for internal combustion engine models, while hybrid models were FWD only. The AWD system activated on-demand based on various conditions, improving fuel efficiency by deactivating when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with fuel consumption of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption figures of 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models seeing slightly higher numbers.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its packaging resembled that of a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn't create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. The Model Y also provided more cargo space with the second row folded, at 1,925 litres compared to the Mach-E's 1,690 litres. The Mach-E had 840 litres of cargo space with the second row in place and a 133-litre front trunk. The interior featured a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats, a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a feeling of togetherness. The centre console was replaced with a padded lid, providing ample storage space. Rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, and Stow 'n Go seats were standard. The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, and the Stow 'n Go feature allowed for easy loading. The rear cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres. The Pacifica's interior was practical and luxurious, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted Nappa leather seats and a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air software updates. The main infotainment touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with Premium, GT, and First Edition models getting a nine-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system. The touchscreen's size was its most notable feature, but its text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The second row's in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. The Pacifica offered a six-speaker sound system, with upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system or a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat feature.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top ratings for crash testing. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. This feature was standard on higher trims and available as an option on the Select trim.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 standard or available safety features. In Canada, most safety features were included at the Touring-L grade, such as automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with active braking. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera were available in packages or standard on the Pinnacle grade.