2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to evoke the spirit of the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its 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, nonfunctional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's look with sequential turn signals, and the vibrant exterior color palette, including Grabber Blue, reinforced the Mustang connection.

Inside, the Mach-E featured a massive infotainment touchscreen awkwardly suspended in the middle of the dashboard, giving it a minimalist feel similar to Tesla electric cars. The interior materials were of decent quality but lacked a leather-upholstery option, even in top trim levels. First Edition models had unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, but the main benefit was being the first produced.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan image, offered a practical and efficient package for transporting up to seven people. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, providing a total output of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving, making it ideal for short commutes and errands.

The Pacifica Hybrid's interior featured quality leather upholstery, triple-zone automatic climate control, and ample storage options. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they didn't collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cargo space was impressive, with up to 140.5 cubic feet available when the second-row seats were removed.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E lived 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 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most potent AWD GT Performance Edition packed 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Our test car, with a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivered 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel thanks to the low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in poor ride quality. Ford provided three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—with minimal differences between them. The Mach-E also offered one-pedal driving and well-tuned friction brakes.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The electric drive system's torque was immediately available, and the van never felt underpowered, even with a full load. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery.

During our Los Angeles driving loop, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the powertrain operated efficiently without requiring driver input. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and an unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery pack.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. The low driving position and roofline didn't create a spacious feel, and it fell short on interior space compared to the Tesla Model Y. The Mach-E offered 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.7 cubic feet with it folded, plus a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk.

The narrow space between the front seats featured a decent-sized storage bin under a flip-up armrest, and a large, flat area beneath the touchscreen was perfect for storing smartphones. USB ports were available for both the first and second rows.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage options. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they didn't collapse into the floor.

The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cargo space was impressive, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo area was larger than that of a Chevy Tahoe, though creating the space required removing the heavy second-row seats.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 15.5-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch instrument cluster. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA software updates. However, the touchscreen's design was text-heavy and unattractive, with icons and sliders for climate controls that were less convenient than analog buttons.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system allowed for five user profiles and included a FamCam overhead camera system. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality.

The Pacifica Hybrid also offered Amazon Fire TV for its rear-seat entertainment system, though our teenage passengers preferred their own devices. The surround-view camera system and parking assist were useful features, though the parking assist was less effective than knowing how to drive.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. Higher trim levels included a 360-degree camera system and Active Drive Assist, which enabled 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 driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control paired with lane-centering assist. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars.