2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible with its exterior styling. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained a Mustang-like appearance with its thin headlights, elongated hood, and a large, non-functional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including the eye-catching Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E's interior 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, but some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of a leather-upholstery option, even in the top trim levels.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length, offered a third row of seats, making it 29 centimetres longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. The wheelbase was also stretched by 12.7 cm, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving the paint finish and panel fit. The interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and Palermo leather seating. The Grand Cherokee L's interior layout and tactile quality were reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering a premium feel without sharing any parts.

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 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp 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. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a 5.7-litre V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with three different systems available. Our test vehicle had the V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, the V6 felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8 powertrain, available on higher trims, offered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L's driving modes were similar to Land Rover's, adjusting various systems based on the selected terrain.

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 offered less interior space, with the Model Y providing more headroom and legroom in both rows. The Mach-E had a cargo capacity of 1,690 litres with the second row folded and 840 litres with the second row in place. It also featured a 133-litre front trunk (frunk). The interior included a storage bin between the front seats, a large area for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. Physical switches separated climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions from the touchscreen, providing ease of use. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench rear seat as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the travel experience. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to feature the 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 by Bang & Olufsen sound system. The touchscreen's size was its most notable feature, but the text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. Climate controls were managed through touchscreen icons and sliders, with a large volume knob included.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of premium features on upper trims, including massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of upcoming turns. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and other driver aids were standard. The Summit trims included additional features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve featured a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

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, and more. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. This feature was standard on higher trims and available as an option on the Select trim.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.