2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

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'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, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of a leather-upholstery option, even in the higher trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, having undergone a redesign in 2021, continued with its mature styling in 2022. It shared several design elements with other Nissan vehicles, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The SL and Platinum trims featured LED fog lamps, while active grille shutters and underbody covers improved airflow. The floating roof illusion and slightly bulging liftgate added to its sleek look. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash design with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a sophisticated and detailed appearance. The centre console featured an electronic gear selector, freeing up space for storage. The Rogue's interior was spacious, with comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and ample legroom in the second row. The fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model.

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 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. 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 featured three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and offered one-pedal driving for regenerative braking.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This was an improvement over the previous 2.5-litre engine, enhancing the Rogue's performance in various situations. The new engine also delivered impressive fuel efficiency, with estimates of 7.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 highway. The Rogue's CVT transmission had wider gear ratios, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension handled the new engine's power well, offering a smooth and controlled ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering had good feel, and the Rogue's turning diameter was tight at 10.8 metres.

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 didn't 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 had 1,690 litres of cargo space with the second row folded and 840 litres with it in place. It also featured a 133-litre front trunk. The interior included a storage bin under a flip-up armrest and a flat area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin had numerous storage areas, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a centre console bin. The rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and centre armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C ports. The Rogue's cargo area offered 1,033 litres of space, expandable to 2,098 litres with the second row folded flat. This made it a practical choice for families and commuters needing ample storage.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA 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 a nine-speaker B&O system available on higher trims. The touchscreen's design was text-heavy and unattractive, with icons and sliders replacing analog controls for climate settings.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist system, was available, integrating with the navigation system for predictive speed control. Nissan's Intelligent Key allowed for keyless entry on all doors, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top crash test ratings but some points docked for headlights and LATCH ease of use. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. Active Drive Assist, offering automated acceleration, braking, and steering, was available on certain trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and more. It had ten airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist enhanced safety features, offering Level 2 driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.