2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 a large, non-functional oval grille. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior colour palette, including the eye-catching 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 higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid drew styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, with a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia lending it a rugged appearance. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, adding unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, resulting in a somewhat disjointed design compared to more cohesive competitors. Inside, the Highlander's asymmetrical dash featured a metallic styling element that broke up monotony and created storage space. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high for easy visibility, and the Bronze Edition test vehicle featured unique elements like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery. While the fabric's durability was a concern, the Highlander offered a spacious second row and a less accommodating third row, making it suitable for families transitioning from smaller SUVs.

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 (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 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, 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 of torque, 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 resulted in poor ride quality. 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 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a supplemental electric motor for the rear axle. Toyota estimated it would reach 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The CVT's lack of gear shifts resulted in an uninspired drone when the engine was pushed. Braking was traditional, with a soft pedal feel and seamless transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The Highlander Hybrid offered a soft ride quality, with a suspension that smoothed over bumps while maintaining adequate cornering confidence. The cabin remained quiet on highways, contributing to a comfortable driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its packaging resembled a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn't create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. The Model Y also provided more cargo space with the second row folded, at 1,925 litres compared to the Mach-E's 1,690 litres. The Mach-E featured an 840-litre cargo space with the second row in place and a 133-litre front trunk. Ford included a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats, a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with plenty of adjustments for drivers of all sizes. However, the driver's door armrest was slightly out of reach. The Highlander provided ample storage options, including a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with abundant head- and legroom, and could accommodate six-footers comfortably. The third row was less accommodating, intended for occasional use by children. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed. Limited and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured 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 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, but the text-heavy design made it difficult to navigate. Ford included a large volume knob, but climate controls were handled by touchscreen icons and sliders.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option available for the top trim. The larger display had a glossy surface that could reflect the front passenger seat in harsh lighting. The infotainment system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons for common features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available on Limited and Platinum trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system were also standard on these trims.

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. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trims 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 Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and more. A surround view camera system and head-up display were available on the top Platinum trim. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems worked as advertised but could use some fine-tuning.