2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to capture the essence of the classic Mustang with its sleek exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained Mustang-like features such as thin headlights, a long hood, and a large oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's style, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant color options, like Grabber Blue, further emphasized its sporty heritage. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist design dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen and a thin rectangular display for the instrument cluster. The interior materials were decent, though some buyers might have missed the option for leather upholstery, as even the top trims used synthetic ActiveX material.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, introduced in 2007 and updated in 2018, showed its age. The 2021 model added a Nightshade Special Edition but retained its imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt dated, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash and a small 7-inch touchscreen. Despite its size, the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample space and comfort. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, each offering various features and styling touches.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to be sporty, with a default rear-wheel-drive setup. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option, the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasted 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Our test car had a mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp and 428 lb-ft, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel due to its low-mounted battery pack. However, the ride quality was compromised by the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with options for one-pedal driving and fake propulsion sounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. The Sequoia's acceleration was robust, but the older transmission affected fuel economy. It drove like a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes, providing a confident driving experience. The Sequoia could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a station wagon-like design. Its low driving position and 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 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded and 29.7 cubic feet with it in place. It also featured a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The interior included a storage bin under a flip-up armrest and a rubberized area for smartphones with a wireless charging pad and USB ports.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats down, it offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia had deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders, providing ample storage options.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 15.5-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch instrument cluster. It included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air updates. The touchscreen's design was text-heavy, with large blocks of text that could be overwhelming. Climate controls were managed through touchscreen icons and sliders, with a large volume knob for convenience. Premium models offered a nine-speaker B&O sound system.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menus and hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward experience.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It came with standard driver-assist features like automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims included a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways, with a driver-facing camera for monitoring.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked advanced tech like lane-keeping assist. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in NHTSA's rollover test but had not been rated in other crash tests.