2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, while the rear tapered slightly, maintaining the intimidating presence typical of Land Rover SUVs. Despite its performance-oriented short overhangs, the Velar retained its off-road capabilities with impressive ground clearance, especially with the optional air suspension. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and aerodynamic enhancements.

Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, boasting high-quality leather and metal trim. The design was more suited to urban environments, with a cockpit-like feel created by a tall, sloping instrument panel and door panels. Unlike many SUVs, the Velar's seating made occupants feel integrated into the vehicle rather than perched on top. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition further enhanced the interior with sporty elements, making it a luxurious yet performance-oriented choice.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to capture the spirit of the traditional Mustang with its exterior styling, despite being an electric SUV. It featured Mustang-like elements such as thin headlights, a long hood, and a large oval grille, along with taillights reminiscent of the original Mustang. The vibrant color palette, including Grabber Blue, reinforced its Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, giving it a minimalist feel akin to Tesla vehicles. The interior materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have missed the option for leather upholstery, as even top trims used synthetic materials.

The First Edition models offered unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, but the main appeal was being among the first produced. The Mach-E's interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring a large storage bin and a wireless charging pad. Despite its SUV label, the Mach-E's low driving position and roofline created a more car-like experience, similar to the Tesla Model Y and VW ID.4.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar was not the quickest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering faster acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt less agile on tight roads.

The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with options including a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 247 hp, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 available in two power outputs. The Velar also retained its off-road capabilities with features like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, though its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess compared to other models.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. 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 configuration was the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, with a zero to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, matching the Tesla Model Y Performance. The Mach-E's handling was commendable, with responsive steering and a low-mounted battery pack providing a planted feel. However, the taut suspension resulted in a less comfortable ride.

Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Mach-E also featured one-pedal driving and well-tuned friction brakes. Despite its sporty nature, the Mach-E's ride quality was compromised by its suspension setup and larger wheels.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, as competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 offered more legroom and headroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. Its low driving position and roofline did not create a spacious feel, similar to the Tesla Model Y and VW ID.4. The Mach-E fell short on interior space compared to the Model Y, which offered more headroom, legroom, and a three-row configuration. The Mach-E provided 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.7 cubic feet with it folded, along with a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including a large storage bin and a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system was praised for its graphics and layout but criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to feature the Sync 4 infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA software updates. The main touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. The system included SiriusXM 360L and a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's size was notable, but its text-heavy design was less appealing. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate control.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a lower priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. Land Rover's safety offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet received crash-test ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. This feature would be available via OTA update for a fee, with hardware included at launch.