2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

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. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the eye-catching 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 leather upholstery, with even the top trims offering only synthetic ActiveX material.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, as the extended version of the Escalade, underwent a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer than the standard Escalade, enhancing cargo space and road stability. The ESV's design was marked by a balance of chrome and blacked-out accents, depending on the trim level, and rode on 22-inch wheels. The exterior was equipped with luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a power panoramic moonroof. Inside, the Escalade ESV offered a mix of standard and optional features, including leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the interior was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which seemed out of place for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to uphold the sporty reputation of the Mustang name. 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 mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp and 428 lb-ft, reaching 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, thanks to its responsive steering and low-mounted battery pack, though the ride quality suffered due to its 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 braking feel.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine choices: a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, which could challenge the engine's performance when towing. Fuel economy estimates were not available for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved 17 to 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

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 low, and the roofline did not create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E offered less interior space, 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 featured a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. Interior storage included a bin between the front seats and a flat area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, complete with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and practicality, offering leatherette seating surfaces with optional leather upholstery. Standard features included power-adjustable seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a spacious third row. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area. The hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature, though it worked inconsistently. The Escalade ESV also offered a rear window that opened for additional storage options and an adaptive air suspension for easier entry and exit.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was among the first Ford vehicles to feature the new Sync 4 infotainment system, which included 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. Standard features included SiriusXM 360L and a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's design was criticized for being text-heavy and difficult to navigate, with climate controls managed through touchscreen icons and sliders.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out for its technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. Standard tech included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV boasted a 38-inch curved OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise system offered advanced driving assistance, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions and required driver intervention. Despite these issues, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of its release. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, though it was not available at launch.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional options included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.