2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Toyota Venza

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. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour options, such as 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, even in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza was noted for its Lexus-like appearance, with a design that blurred the lines between the two brands. The Venza was shorter and lower than the RAV4, yet shared the same wheelbase. It was available in three trims—LE, XLE, and Limited—and offered a choice of seven paint colours. The Venza's interior was unique, with premium appointments and a centre stack featuring piano black capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls. The deep centre console housed various controls and connectivity options, while the seating provided ample comfort for both front and rear passengers. The Venza's interior space was comparable to the RAV4, offering a spacious feel despite having less cargo space.

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 and 428 lb-ft, completing the sprint in 5.1 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was responsive, with a low-mounted battery pack providing a planted feel. 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.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came standard with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful in its class, the Venza provided smooth acceleration and sufficient power for passing. The hybrid system's fuel efficiency was a standout feature, achieving 5.9 L/100 km in the city, 6.4 on the highway, and 6.1 combined. The Venza's handling was typical of a Toyota, offering a confident and predictable driving experience. The AWD system ensured stability, while the eco-conscious tires contributed to road noise. Toyota's hybrid powertrain was backed by a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty.

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 1,690 litres of cargo space with the second row folded and 840 litres with it in place. The Mach-E also featured a 133-litre front trunk. The interior included a storage bin between the front seats, a wireless charging pad, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was known for its practicality, offering a unique cabin design with premium appointments. The centre stack featured capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, while the deep centre console housed various controls and connectivity options. The Venza's seating was comfortable for both front and rear passengers, with a spacious feel comparable to the RAV4. The Venza offered 816 litres of cargo space, which was less than some competitors but sufficient for daily use. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks allowed for easy cargo space arrangement.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was equipped with Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 15.5-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch instrument cluster. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air updates. While the touchscreen's size was impressive, its text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured the Entune infotainment system, with an 8-inch screen on the LE trim and a 12.3-inch screen on the XLE and Limited trims. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with AM/FM/HD Radio, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. The XLE and Limited trims came with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system. Toyota connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, along with dynamic navigation on models with the larger screen.

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, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated driving on designated highways.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. These included a pre-collision warning system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Venza also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and two full sets of LATCH connections. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.