2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

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 a prominent oval grille, albeit non-functional. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. A vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking 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 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a more traditional minivan aesthetic with a touch of style. Its design included kinked sliding doors, resulting in dramatic character lines along its flanks. The Touring trim level featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding a touch of sophistication. Inside, the Odyssey provided a classic open-concept minivan design with ample storage space and a low console between the front seats. The interior boasted quality leather upholstery, supportive seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's design prioritized practicality and comfort, making it an ideal choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. It came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and offered a range of powertrain configurations. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option was the all-wheel-drive (AWD) GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a mid-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 horsepower, 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, though the ride quality suffered due to its taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive (FWD) and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. Its fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. While not as fun to drive as some rivals, the Odyssey provided a pleasant driving experience during daily commutes. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and responsive, offering a comfortable ride for families.

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 relatively low, and the low roofline did not create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short in interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. The Mach-E provided 1,690 litres of cargo space with the second row folded and 840 litres with the second row in place. It also featured a 133-litre front trunk (frunk) and a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Touring featured quality leather upholstery, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The second-row seats provided ample legroom and could be configured for various needs. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat created 2,452 litres of cargo space, while removing the second-row seats provided a massive 3,984 litres of cargo volume.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, including wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air software updates. The main infotainment touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. Premium, GT, and First Edition models came with a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's design was text-heavy, making it challenging to navigate, and climate controls were handled through touchscreen icons and sliders.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment features were considered outdated compared to rivals, and the embedded navigation system required specific voice commands for directions.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, and some safety features responded too sharply to changing driving situations.