2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between traditional Mustang styling and modern electric vehicle design. Despite its four-door configuration and rear hatch, the Mach-E retained a Mustang-like appearance with its thin headlights, elongated hood, and a prominent oval grille, albeit non-functional. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. A vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further emphasized its Mustang heritage. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist design dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen, reminiscent of Tesla's approach. The interior materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of a leather-upholstery option, with even the top trims offering only synthetic ActiveX material.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey maintained a familiar look with subtle updates for the new model year. The refreshed grille and front bumper, along with standard LED headlights and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert, modernized its appearance. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design. The Odyssey's interior boasted a new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and ambient lighting, enhancing its upscale feel. The minivan's seating material and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, added to its practicality. The Odyssey's handsome new wheels and toned-down chrome accents brought it closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to uphold the sporty reputation of the Mustang name. 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 mid-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's handling was commendable, with responsive steering and a planted feel, though the ride quality suffered due to its taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and customizable braking feel.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain remained unchanged from the previous model year, offering smooth and effortless power. The engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with a combined fuel consumption of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. However, it introduced a new electronic brake booster, enhancing the adaptive cruise control's low-speed following capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, while improved, struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its design leaned more towards a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was relatively low, and the low roofline limited the sense of spaciousness, 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 measured 1,690 litres with the second row folded, and 840 litres with the seats in place. It also featured a 133-litre front trunk (frunk). The interior included a storage bin between the front seats, a rubberized area for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The driver's seat was comfortable and adjustable, with heated front seats and mirrors standard in Canada. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, despite improvements in their fold-flat design.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E introduced Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 15.5-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air software updates. The system's design was text-heavy, making it challenging to navigate. The touchscreen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls. Premium, GT, and First Edition models included a nine-speaker B&O sound system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connectivity features. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it lacked touchscreen functionality.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top crash-test ratings and minor deductions for certain headlights and LATCH ease of use. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, though it required a future software update.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top NHTSA crash-test ratings. However, blind-spot monitoring was only available on the Touring trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately, though not always smoothly, with some uneven braking and steering wheel wobbling.