2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Kia Carnival

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. The vibrant exterior colour options, such as Grabber Blue, further reinforced 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 Kia Carnival presented a fresh design for the minivan segment, with each trim offering unique styling elements. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim doubled the available paint colours and added 19-inch machined-finish wheels. The SX trim introduced black wheels and real leather upholstery, along with VIP Lounge Seats that were a standout feature. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included simulated skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, giving it a more rugged appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them with character lines, maintaining a sleek look. The Carnival's design was angular and tasteful, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey.

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 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option was the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. Our test vehicle featured a mid-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was commendable, with responsive steering and a planted feel, although the ride quality suffered due to the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. Ford provided three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and customizable braking feel.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine offered smooth and effortless acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, delayed downshifts were noticeable in certain situations, which Sport mode helped alleviate. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and our testing loop averaged 10.8 L/100 km. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt agile and stable, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its design leaned more towards a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was relatively low, and the low roofline did not create a spacious feel, even with the 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 the seats in place, along with a 133-litre front trunk. The interior featured a storage bin between the front seats and a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, complete with a wireless charging pad and USB ports.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The middle seat could slide forward or backward, fold flat, or be removed for a pass-through to the third row. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. However, these seats could not be removed or folded flat, limiting cargo space. The Carnival's rear cargo area was spacious, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row and 2,460 litres with the third row folded. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival offered a maximum cargo volume of 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first vehicles 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 most notable feature, but the text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim level. The LX trim featured traditional analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Starting with the EX+ trim, the Carnival offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was generally intuitive, but a comprehensive quick reference guide was provided to help users navigate the features.

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, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with lane centring. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated driving on designated highways, though it was not available at launch.

The 2022 Kia Carnival also earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and a reversing camera. The EX trim added front parking sensors, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist, which prevented occupants from exiting if traffic was approaching. The EX+ trim included a surround-view camera system and a Blind View Monitor.