Lexus NX Hybrid vs Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a bold and intricate design, typical of Lexus's current styling approach. Its front showcased a large, dark spindle grille, flanked by squinting LED headlights and blacked-out air intakes, creating an aggressive and complex face. While some found this design attractive, others felt it was overly stylized. The vehicle's profile was sporty yet understated, with smooth, rounded edges and body-coloured fender flares, suggesting a focus on road performance rather than off-roading. The F Sport elements, including dark trim and 20-inch wheels, added to its sporty appeal, with the fastback roof shape echoing coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX Hybrid combined sportiness with modern technology, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled towards the driver for a cockpit-like feel. The F Sport 3 model enhanced its sporty look with dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, offering a high-quality and upscale interior experience.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E stood out with its Mustang-inspired design, setting it apart from typical crossover SUVs. Its front featured a familiar Mustang grille insert and squinting headlights, while the sculpted sides maintained the Mustang's sporty theme. The SUV-like two-box shape diverged from the traditional coupe and convertible, but a sloped roofline provided a coupe-like profile. At the rear, the Mach-E sported a roof spoiler and the iconic Mustang sequential three-bar taillights. The Rally trim added a black roof, wheel arches, and side cladding, with dish-style wheels inspired by Ford rally cars. Inside, the Mach-E offered synthetic leather with contrast stitching, a sporty dash with cloth and fake carbon fibre, and sport seats with bolstering in the GT trim. The Mach-E Rally added aluminum pedals and "Mach-E Rally" logos, with ambient lighting enhancing the interior atmosphere.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was not as sporty as its name suggested. It featured adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport settings and a firmer suspension, but it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. With 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance, the SUV leaned in bends and lacked agility. Handling was controlled rather than sporty, with weighty steering that firmed up in Sport S and Sport S+ modes but offered little feedback. The ride was firm yet comfortable, even with 20-inch wheels and a stiffer suspension. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors for standard AWD, producing 240 horsepower. It achieved a 0 to 96 km/h time of 7.2 seconds. Power delivery was not exhilarating, and the drivetrain felt slushy, with the engine droning under hard acceleration. Steering wheel paddles allowed for simulated downshifts, but they didn't mimic regular automatic transmission gear ratios. For more power, buyers could consider the Lexus NX 450h plug-in hybrid with 340 hp.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrain options. In Canada, it started with a dual-motor AWD powertrain using a 73-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 325 horsepower and 380 kilometres of range. An Extended Range battery increased the range to 483 kilometres. The Mach-E GT produced 480 hp with 451 km of range, while the Rally had the same powertrain but a 410 km range. The Premium model tested had dual motors, an extended-range battery, 370 hp, 500 lb-ft of torque, and 483 km of range. The Mach-E's electric motors provided immediate torque, allowing it to accelerate from a stop quickly, reaching 100 km/h in under five seconds. The GT offered 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-96 km/h time of 3.8 seconds, with a Performance Upgrade increasing torque to 700 lb-ft. The Mach-E featured different driving modes, including Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, each altering the sound and throttle response. It offered one-pedal driving and seamless regenerative braking. The Mach-E had 14.5 cm of ground clearance, with agile handling and a rear-drive bias. The GT and Rally had stronger brakes and performance packages, with the Rally offering a playful character and RallySport mode for off-road fun.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered well-bolstered front seats with ample room for tall adults. Power seat and steering wheel adjustments ensured a comfortable seating position, complemented by heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Heated rear seats were standard on the Executive and F Sport 3 packages. The centre console featured a wireless phone charger, cupholders, and a large console bin. The rear seat accommodated two average-sized adults comfortably, with 950 mm of rear headroom and 917 mm of legroom. The rear cushion was comfortable for long trips, aided by a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. The NX had 643 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,328 litres with the seats folded. While lower than some competitors, it was still practical for everyday use.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a spacious interior, thanks to its longer wheelbase compared to gas-powered vehicles. It provided good headroom and legroom in both rows, though fitting three across in the second row was tight. The Select trim, priced to qualify for the federal EV rebate, lacked some features like standard heated front seats, which were available on the Premium trim. The seats were comfortable, with sportier bolstering in the GT and Rally trims. Cargo space was better than expected, with 841 litres behind the second row and 1,691 litres with the seats folded. The sloping rear roof limited space compared to some rivals, but an optional 135-litre front trunk added secure storage.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility, and an optional head-up display and wireless phone charger. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available, replacing the standard 10-speaker system. A three-year Remote Connect subscription provided a 4G connection and remote vehicle functions. The instrument cluster offered customizable information displays, and the touchscreen was angled for easy access. The infotainment system was responsive, with physical controls for volume and temperature.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a large 15.5-inch portrait-style touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Sync 4A software was user-friendly but slow to load screens. The Ford Connectivity package included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, real-time navigation, and streaming services. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad and power outlets optional. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with an upgrade to a 10-speaker B&O system available.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid performed well in crash tests, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and high ratings from the NHTSA. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, and more. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The safety systems worked effectively, though the adaptive cruise control was somewhat complex to operate.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E included Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. The optional BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system offered advanced features, including automatic lane changes. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.