2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible with its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained a Mustang-like appearance with its thin headlights, elongated hood, and large oval grille, albeit non-functional. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, giving it a minimalist feel akin to Tesla's electric cars. 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. The First Edition models boasted unique trim elements, such as red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, distinguishing them from other variants.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid showcased a bold new design, with sharp, angular cues across its fascia and sides, making it longer and wider than its predecessor. This dramatic styling set it apart from the previous Tucson's more conservative design, though it was a gamble on whether it would age well. The Tucson's grille, shared with the Santa Cruz, blended seamlessly with the LED headlights and running lights, creating a futuristic look. The lower trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims boasted 19-inch wheels and additional features like a panoramic sunroof. The interior offered standard heated front seats and cloth upholstery, with higher trims adding a digital driver information display, wireless device charging, and ambient lighting. The Tucson's interior was open and airy, with a bulkier centre console but an unobstructed view at eye level, thanks to the integrated infotainment display.

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 and 428 lb-ft of torque, reaching zero to 100 km/h in 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—with minimal differences between them. It also featured one-pedal driving and well-tuned friction brakes.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its performance, particularly compared to the gas-powered model. It featured an AWD drivetrain, standard on most trims, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Tucson's steering was responsive and direct, and its six-speed automatic transmission performed admirably. The suspension excelled at absorbing road imperfections while maintaining balance through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the hybrid achieving 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 6.4 combined. The plug-in hybrid variant offered even greater efficiency, with a 13.8 kWh battery and 53 kilometres of all-electric range.

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 the Model Y providing more headroom and legroom and a three-row configuration. The Mach-E's cargo space was 1,690 litres with the second row folded and 840 litres with it in place, plus a 133-litre front trunk. The interior featured a storage bin under a flip-up armrest and a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, equipped with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, despite its larger footprint, did not appear massive but offered substantial cargo space. The hybrid's trunk held 1,097 litres, expanding to 2,108 litres with the rear seat folded. The Tucson provided excellent front and rear legroom, with reclining rear seats. Its cargo floor had a dual-level system for flexibility, and the doors featured angled bottle holders. The front seats had two cupholders in the centre console, while the rear seat included a fold-down armrest with additional cupholders. The Ultimate trim's ambient lighting added flair to the cabin.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was among the first to feature Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering 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. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with higher trims receiving a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's size was its standout feature, but its text-heavy design was less appealing. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid's tech was generally good but occasionally frustrating. The 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Ultimate trim looked great with native software but only used about 8 inches for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, requiring a wired connection. The interface controls were touch-capacitive buttons, which could be tiresome to use. However, the Tucson offered plenty of USB ports, a beautiful touchscreen display, and a Bose premium audio system in the Ultimate trim.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top crash-test ratings but some points docked for certain headlights and LATCH ease of use. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trims offered a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera for monitoring distraction.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with safety features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Preferred trim added blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate trim included a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and unique features like blind-spot view monitor and remote smart park assist. The IIHS awarded the Tucson a Top Safety Pick+.