2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Porsche Macan

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between its electric SUV form and the iconic Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained Mustang-like features such as thin headlights, a long hood, and a large, non-functional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design with sequential turn signals, and the vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist design dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, reminiscent of Tesla's approach. The interior materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of leather upholstery, with even the top trims offering only synthetic ActiveX material.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan maintained its sporty and upscale appearance, with a design that evolved subtly over the years. The Macan S test vehicle showcased a sleek Volcano Gray exterior with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a taut and athletic look. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring a left-side ignition switch, a large tachometer, and a flat, wide dashboard. The cabin, adorned with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, offered a luxurious and sporty ambiance. The redesigned centre console with haptic touch controls added a modern touch, though it required drivers to look away from the road to operate.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. The base RWD Select model delivered 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 100 km/h in just 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 low-mounted battery pack providing a planted feel. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in a less comfortable ride. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and fake propulsion sounds in Unbridled mode.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powertrains, with the base Macan and Macan T featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. Our Macan S test car had a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 delivering 375 hp and 383 lb-ft, achieving zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans featured a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S excelled in handling, with responsive steering, PASM adaptive damping, and optional performance upgrades providing unyielding grip and stability. The Macan S also offered a comfortable ride, though the brake pedal required more effort to initiate a stop.

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 and a three-row configuration. The Mach-E had 1,690 litres of cargo space with the second row folded and 840 litres with it in place, along with a 133-litre front trunk. The interior featured a decent-sized storage bin and a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, equipped with a wireless charging pad and USB ports.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, despite its sporty nature, offered comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger. Our Macan S test vehicle had optional 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers, but getting in and out was easy. The Macan featured new steering wheels modeled after the 911 sports car, though the wheel felt thin and uncomfortable over long drives. The redesigned centre console with haptic touch controls offered more storage space, but the overall storage was limited. Cargo space measured 488 litres behind the back seat, expandable to 1,503 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was among the first to feature Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA software updates. The main 15.5-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its text-heavy design made navigation challenging. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls. The Mach-E also included a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O sound system.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, known as Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, navigation, and connected services. The user experience was intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less reliable than competitors. The Macan offered stereo volume and tuning controls below the screen, with separate climate controls, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving. Optional audio upgrades included a Bose premium surround-sound system and a high-end Burmester audio system.

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 driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated driving on designated highways, though it wasn't activated at launch.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included standard lane-departure warning and a reversing camera. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Macan offered advanced parking assistance with a surround-view camera and Park Assist system. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies compared to some competitors. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.