2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

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 large oval grille, albeit non-functional. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. A vibrant exterior colour palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further emphasized 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 leather upholstery, even in higher trims. The First Edition models offered unique trim elements, such as red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, distinguishing them from other variants.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged, adventure-ready persona, staying true to its roots as a traditional SUV with a truck-based platform. Unlike many modern SUVs that have shifted to car-based platforms, the 4Runner continued to share its underpinnings with the Toyota Tacoma pickup. This design choice allowed the 4Runner to cater to a niche market of off-road enthusiasts. Its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper were all functional elements designed for tackling obstacles. Inside, the 4Runner's cabin reflected its last full redesign in 2009, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 4Runner offered various trims, including the Trail and SR5 in Canada, with configurations like TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. Standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Toyota Safety Sense P driver assistance features.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to uphold the sporty reputation of the Mustang name. It came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) 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 kilometres per hour in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful variant, the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasted 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque, reaching zero to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, completing the sprint in 5.1 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was commendable, with responsive steering and a planted feel thanks to its low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in a less comfortable ride. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and customizable propulsion sounds.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a single 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. While this engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations, except for its decent initial acceleration. Power was routed through a five-speed automatic transmission to the standard four-wheel drive (4WD) system with low range. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome on paved roads, with noticeable body roll and a jostling experience over bumps. However, these characteristics became advantageous off-road, where the suspension absorbed obstacles with ease. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner's towing capacity was up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), surpassing most car-based crossovers.

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 headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The Model Y also provided more cargo space, with 1,925 litres compared to the Mach-E's 1,690 litres (1,685 litres in the GT Performance Edition) with the second row folded. The Mach-E did offer a 133-litre front trunk (frunk) and a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats. A wireless charging pad and USB ports were available for both rows.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum cargo capacity of 2,540 litres in the two-row version, slightly more than the three-row model. With the second-row seats in use, the two-row 4Runner provided 1,337 litres of cargo space. The three-row version, available only in the Limited package, reduced maximum cargo space to 2,514 litres, with 1,311 litres behind the second row and 254 litres behind the rear seats. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-operated rear window for easy access to the cargo area. While the 4Runner's cabin packaging was not as efficient as more modern SUVs, it still offered ample space for gear.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to feature the new Sync 4 infotainment system, which included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The main infotainment touchscreen measured an impressive 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with Premium, GT, and First Edition models receiving a nine-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system. The touchscreen's size was its most notable feature, as its text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. Climate controls were managed through touchscreen icons and sliders, with a large volume knob as the only analog control.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was straightforward, with hard buttons and dials surrounding the screen for easy operation, even with gloves on. Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple USB ports were also standard. While the 4Runner's infotainment system lacked advanced features like a head-up display, it provided the necessary tech basics. An optional 15-speaker JBL premium audio system and navigation were available for those seeking enhanced audio quality.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top ratings for crash testing. It lost points for certain headlights and LATCH ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet released crash-test ratings. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trim levels offered a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera for monitoring distraction.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The 4Runner earned four out of five stars for frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA, with three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS. It came with a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.