2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to capture the essence of the classic Mustang coupe and convertible with its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained Mustang-like features such as thin headlights, a long hood, and a large oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant color palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced its Mustang heritage. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist design dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen and a thin rectangular display for the instrument cluster. The interior materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of leather upholstery, with even top trims using synthetic ActiveX material.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, giving it a rugged appearance with a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, resulting in a somewhat disjointed design compared to more cohesive competitors. Inside, the Highlander featured an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element and a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen. The Bronze Edition test vehicle had light grey fabric upholstery with a triangle motif, which was prone to dirt and stains. The Softex synthetic leather substitute was less convincing compared to alternatives, and the third row had more hard plastics, making it less comfortable.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to be sporty, with a default RWD setup and decent power. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful AWD GT Performance Edition boasted 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Our test car had a mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp and 428 lb-ft, hitting 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 affected ride quality. It offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD. AWD was available with an electric motor powering the rear axle. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick initial response, followed by the gasoline engine's hum. The CVT's lack of gear shifts resulted in a droning sound, especially on hills. Braking was traditional, with a smooth transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over bumps, and the cabin remained quiet on highways.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a station wagon-like packaging. The driving position was low, and the roofline didn't create a spacious feel. It offered less interior space compared to the Tesla Model Y, with 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded and 29.7 cubic feet with it in place. The Mach-E also had a 4.7-cubic-foot frunk. Storage included a bin under a flip-up armrest and a rubberized area for smartphones with a wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of adjustments. Storage options included a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf, and a large center armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining options, and could accommodate six-footers. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row stowed.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA updates. It had a 15.5-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch instrument cluster. The touchscreen's design was text-heavy, making navigation challenging. Climate controls were handled by touchscreen icons and sliders, with a large volume knob included.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, with a wireless charging pad on XLE trims and above. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were standard on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It included standard driver-assist features like automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Active Drive Assist was planned for future activation via OTA update.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star NHTSA rating and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist needed fine-tuning, with abrupt stops and steering resistance noted.