2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

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, it retained a Mustang-like appearance with its sleek headlights, elongated hood, and prominent oval grille. The taillights mirrored the classic Mustang design, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour options, such as Grabber Blue, further emphasized its Mustang heritage. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist interior dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen, reminiscent of Tesla's design approach. The cabin materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of leather upholstery, even in higher trims. The First Edition models offered unique trim elements, but the primary allure was their status as the first units produced.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV aesthetic. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile, with distinct elements like a black roof and model-specific grille. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture, allowing for independent suspension and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood. Inside, it offered luxurious features such as 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The interior was further distinguished by seat controls on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" inscription on the dashboard, ensuring a premium feel.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to uphold the sporty reputation of the Mustang name. It came standard with rear-wheel drive 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 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option was the AWD GT Performance Edition, delivering 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 mid-level AWD powertrain, offering 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 low-mounted battery pack providing a planted feel. However, the taut suspension compromised ride quality, especially with the 19-inch wheels. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving, enhancing its versatility.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension. This setup provided 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 60 centimetres of water. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely pace, as its ride became bouncy at higher speeds, and the steering lacked precision. Its size limited off-road capabilities, although it shared mechanical similarities with the capable Wagoneer.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its design leaned more towards a station wagon or hatchback. The 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. 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 between the front seats and a flat area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, complete with a wireless charging pad and USB ports.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. With all three rows in place, it provided 775 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. The maximum cargo space was 2,667 litres, slightly less than some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer had a towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone climate control, and large storage bins, though forward visibility was limited by the hood.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was among the first to feature Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA updates. The main 15.5-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its text-heavy design was not visually appealing. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate control. The Mach-E also included a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O sound system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured a larger main touchscreen than the standard Wagoneer, with a second screen for seat massagers. It used the Uconnect 5 system, offering OTA updates and an Android-based operating system. While the screen was occasionally slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top crash-test ratings and minor deductions for certain headlights and LATCH ease of use. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, though it was not available at launch.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, night vision, and two levels of driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.