2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to evoke the spirit of the classic Mustang coupe and convertible, despite its four-door, hatchback configuration. Its exterior featured thin headlights, a long hood, and a large, non-functional oval grille, all reminiscent of the traditional Mustang. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E's minimalist interior was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, suspended awkwardly in the middle of the dashboard. A thin rectangular display served as the instrument cluster, displaying speed as "ground speed," a nod to other Mustang models. The interior materials were of decent quality, but some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of a leather-upholstery option, even in the top trim levels.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a visual standout, offered a practical and efficient package for transporting up to seven people. Its exterior and interior styling appeared soft and somewhat dated compared to more modern, architectural designs. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with black Nappa premium leather upholstery and a range of features like triple-zone automatic climate control and a heated steering wheel. Storage was impressive, with numerous compartments and bins throughout the cabin. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the Pacifica Hybrid offered a generous 914 litres of cargo space behind it, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third row folded, and up to 3,978 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. It was rear-wheel drive by default, with the base RWD Select model producing 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful configuration was the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 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 resulted in poor ride quality. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving, with well-tuned friction brakes.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The electric drive system's torque was immediately available, and the Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded. It could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain operated seamlessly, with the transition between electric and gasoline power nearly imperceptible. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light and uncommunicative steering, occasionally grabby regenerative brakes, and limited cornering grip.

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 did not create a spacious feeling, 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 decent-sized storage bin between the front seats, a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. It featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage compartments. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was comfortable for two adults or three children, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third row folded, and up to 3,978 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to feature the 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 software updates. 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 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and speedy response to inputs. Uconnect 5 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the FamCam overhead camera system. The voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, but the system's overall operation was satisfactory. Our test vehicle had a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, though the default sound quality required adjustment. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for its rear-seat entertainment system, though our test passengers preferred their own devices.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E received a Top Safety Pick rating from the 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 also slated to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system and a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, its adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to resume travel speed and braked too hard in certain situations.