2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

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. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color 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, but some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of a leather-upholstery option, even in the higher trim levels.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its second generation into its 14th year, maintaining a mature design. The Sequoia's exterior was a testament to the idea that "good taste never goes out of style," with a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight lines. It was a large SUV, standing 77 inches tall, 79.9 inches wide, and 205.1 inches long, with a 122-inch wheelbase. The interior, however, showed its age, with a 7-inch touchscreen that felt outdated compared to the larger screens in newer SUVs. Despite this, the Sequoia's interior was typical of Toyota, with high-quality materials and a durable build, making it suitable for a growing family. The Nightshade Special Edition model added a modern touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, bringing the Sequoia's looks up to date.

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 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option was the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Our test car featured a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 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, exacerbated by the 19-inch wheels. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving, enhancing its versatility.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was equipped with a single powertrain option: the 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential in 4WD models. The Sequoia had a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride on the highway, with a sure-footed feel on curvy roads. Its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance made it a competent off-roader, especially in the TRD Pro off-road model. The Sequoia's fuel economy was a drawback, with ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD models and 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/14 mpg combined for 4WD models.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its packaging resembled that of 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 Mach-E provided 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.7 cubic feet with it folded, along with a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The interior featured 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 Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering roomy seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The center console and glove compartment provided ample storage, while rear passengers had access to cup holders and power outlets. The Sequoia's cargo compartment included a 12-volt outlet, with 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Folding the third row opened up 66.6 cubic feet, and folding both the second and third rows provided 120.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to feature the 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. The Mach-E came with a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system. The touchscreen's design was text-heavy, making it difficult to navigate, and climate controls were managed through touchscreen icons and sliders.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with WiFi connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, while a premium audio package included 14 JBL speakers, a subwoofer, and an amplifier. The Sequoia's technology under the hood lagged behind competitors, lacking modern powertrain features like turbocharging and electrification. However, Toyota updated the Sequoia's exterior lighting to LED and included standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet received crash-test ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS. It came with a suite of standard driver-assist features, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera to monitor for distraction.

Similarly, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also came with a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota's STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. A full complement of airbags and other safety features were standard across all Sequoia models.