2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Volvo XC60

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 a leather-upholstery option, 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look and a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes. The XC60's interior remained largely unchanged, maintaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding a touch of flair to an otherwise subdued interior. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The XC60's design was based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, shared with other Volvo models, ensuring a consistent and refined aesthetic.

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 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option was the all-wheel-drive (AWD) GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. Our test car featured a mid-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, reaching zero to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was commendable, with responsive steering and a planted feel, although the ride quality suffered due to the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. Ford provided three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and customizable propulsion sounds.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, offering 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque for the B5, and 295 hp and 310 lb-ft for the B6. The B6 also included an electric supercharger. The XC60 B5 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60's driving experience emphasized comfort and luxury, with a quiet cabin and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 60 mph time of 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

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 interior space, with the Model Y providing more headroom and legroom. The Mach-E's cargo space was 1,690 litres with the second row folded, and 840 litres with the seats in place, along with a 133-litre front trunk. The interior featured a storage bin between the front seats and a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, equipped with a wireless charging pad and USB ports.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive stance in passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Cargo space for mild-hybrid models was 611 litres with the rear seats up and 1,410 litres with them folded, while plug-in hybrid models offered slightly less. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. Despite the somewhat limited cargo space compared to rivals, the XC60's interior was designed for comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air updates. The 15.5-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its text-heavy design was not particularly user-friendly. The system included a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with a nine-speaker B&O system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech upgrade with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The system integrated Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation, with access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. The infotainment system was compatible with iPhones, though Android users benefited from additional features. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to reduce distractions.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top crash-test ratings but some deductions for headlights and LATCH ease of use. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on certain highways, with a driver-facing camera for monitoring.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for the 2022 model year, but the 2021 model received high safety ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Volvo's driver assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring, providing a reliable driving aid.