2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Honda’s compact SUV has been satisfying buyers for more than two decades, with more than five million CR-V’s sold. Such a legacy means the CR-V has long had its wrinkles smoothed out into a comfortable and capable crossover package that’s only downside may be its sheer inoffensiveness. This year’s model gets engine and safety upgrades, which improve fuel economy and help to make Honda’s bestseller an even better value.

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Eager to prove that it’s serious about electric cars, Ford applied the iconic Mustang name to its new electric SUV. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is not only the first electric vehicle to wear the Mustang name, it’s also the first production Mustang model with more than two doors.

Ford has made electric cars before (the Focus Electric ended production just a few years ago), but the Mach-E is much more ambitious. It’s the first Ford electric car based on a dedicated platform, and aimed at a mass audience.

Ford believes style and sportiness will help it sell more EVs, but the emphasis on performance also puts the Mach-E in direct competition with the similarly-sized Tesla Model Y. As a small electric crossover, the Mach-E could also get cross-shopped against the upcoming Volkswagen ID.4 and Nissan Ariya crossovers.

Mach-E buyers must choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), Standard Range and Extended Range battery packs, and four trim levels— Select, California Route 1, Premium, and GT. Our test car was a sold out First Edition model, which is identical to the Premium trim level aside from cosmetic differences like red brake calipers. It featured the Extended Range battery pack and all-wheel drive.