2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 large oval grille, albeit non-functional. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. A vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced its Mustang heritage. Inside, the Mach-E's minimalist interior was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, reminiscent of Tesla's design ethos. The cabin materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of a leather-upholstery option, even in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's design required an acclimation period due to its distinctive styling. Its blunt and bulbous nose, coupled with black windshield pillars, created an impression of a floating roof. The SUV's swollen haunches balanced its styling, though the flared quarter panels could overwhelm the design. The Highlander Hybrid was available in LE, XLE, Limited, or Platinum trims, with Canadian pricing ranging from $45,950 to $56,450, plus a destination charge. The Platinum trim, evaluated in this review, featured electronic all-wheel drive, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a surround-view camera system. While Toyota executed quality well, some details, like the instrument-panel shroud, felt cheap. The interior offered an upscale two-tone look with leather upholstery, though reflections on the 12.3-inch screen could be distracting on sunny days.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. 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 configuration, the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasted 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp, 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 compromised ride quality. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and fake propulsion sounds in Unbridled mode.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, prioritized efficiency over performance. It featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a total output of 243 hp, achieving a combined fuel consumption rating of 6.7 L/100 km. While this represented progress in efficiency compared to the previous generation, the Highlander Hybrid's power was merely adequate. The drivetrain sounded strained during hard acceleration or hill climbs, and the steering felt lifeless. The regenerative brakes operated transparently, but the SUV's softly sprung suspension resulted in unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, the Highlander Hybrid demonstrated capable handling, but it struggled on uneven surfaces. Around town, the electric motor torque and EV Mode showcased its strengths, but overall, the driving experience was not enjoyable.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. Its low driving position and roofline did not 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 measured 1,690 litres with the second row folded and 840 litres with it in place. A 133-litre front trunk added to its practicality. The interior featured a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats, a rubberized area for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum provided roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The test vehicle included a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. The no-cost bench seat option increased seating capacity to eight, though the second row felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Storage was plentiful but not as generous as the previous generation. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, 1,370 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. A shallow storage tray under the cargo floor was provided, but the lack of storage wells for securing items was a drawback.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA 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 higher trims receiving a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's size was its most notable feature, but its text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. Climate controls were handled by touchscreen icons and sliders, which could be less intuitive than traditional buttons.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a navigation system. Toyota's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons for quick access. The voice recognition system worked well, though it did not control climate settings. The JBL sound system offered 1,200 watts of power but could sound boomy or tinny depending on the music. Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view behind the vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E received 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 driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring. Active Drive Assist, which enabled automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways, was slated for future activation via OTA update.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. New for 2021 were intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance systems were effective but could feel uneven or overly sensitive in certain situations.