2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between traditional Mustang styling and modern electric vehicle design. Its exterior featured thin headlights, a long hood, and a large oval grille, reminiscent of the classic Mustang coupe and convertible. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including the eye-catching Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E's minimalist interior was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, giving it a Tesla-like feel. The cabin materials were of decent quality, but the lack of a leather-upholstery option might have disappointed some buyers. Unique trim elements, such as red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, distinguished the First Edition models.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned for the model year, came in four series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. The NX 350, with its turbocharged engine, was the focus of this review. The NX's design was unmistakably Lexus, featuring a prominent spindle grille and refined styling details. The new model was longer, wider, and taller, offering more passenger and cargo space. Most NX models had NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery, with real leather available in the Executive Package. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique grille, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and sport-bolstered seats. The interior adopted a minimalist approach, with a large touchscreen integrating many functions, though some controls were less intuitive. The NX's quality levels were generally high, but some elements, like the turn signal, felt less refined.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. 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 configuration, the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasted 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp and 428 lb-ft, achieving 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 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 hp and the NX 450h+ PHEV with 302 hp. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. On winding roads, the F Sport felt taut and responsive, while the regular NX 350 offered a softer ride. Lexus claimed a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds for the NX 350. Fuel consumption was higher in the F Sport (10.6 L/100 km) compared to the non-F Sport (9.2 L/100 km). The NX's handling was impressive, but the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of German rivals. The NX was not suitable for off-road use due to its limited ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had 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, legroom, and cargo capacity. The Mach-E had 1,690 litres of cargo space with the second row folded and 840 litres with it in place. A 133-litre front trunk added extra storage. The interior featured a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats, a rubberized area for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Lexus NX claimed more interior room, but the new dashboard design created a cozy feel. The NX was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim offered better seat bolstering. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. Cargo space increased by 14%, with 643 litres behind the back seat and 1,328 litres with the seats folded. The NX featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes, though it was not tested during the review.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA updates. The main 15.5-inch touchscreen was a signature feature, but its text-heavy design was unattractive and difficult to navigate. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with a nine-speaker B&O system available on higher trims. The touchscreen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant technological advancements with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen optional. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, Voice Assistant, and OTA updates. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands. The NX offered a complimentary three-year trial of Drive Connect services, including cloud-based navigation and Intelligent Assistant. User Profiles and digital key capability were also available. The 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints and reflections, and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top crash-test ratings and minor deductions for 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. Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, was available via OTA update for $600. The system's hardware was included in certain trims, with software activation expected by the third quarter of 2021.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including lane keep assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. New features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Oncoming Pedestrian Detection. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. Additional safety features were available in packages, including rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist.