2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, and a more aggressive chin spoiler, complemented by bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, emphasizing the vehicle's luxurious feel.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to connect with the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior styling. 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 design with sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the test car’s Grabber Blue, reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E featured a massive infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design, similar to Tesla's electric cars, with decent quality materials but no leather upholstery option.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, making it more suitable for fast-flowing traffic. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's mid-range acceleration was good but not exceptional, and the engine noise was unrefined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 18-mile electric range, but the added weight negated the speed benefits. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E needed to be sporty to live up to its name. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The AWD GT Performance Edition was the most potent, with 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The test car had a lower-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp, 428 lb-ft, and zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel due to the low-mounted battery pack. However, the ride quality was poor, especially with the 19-inch wheels. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—with minimal differences between them. One-pedal driving and well-tuned friction brakes were also available.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized quickly and responded well, though all climate controls were within the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on certain trims. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and suitable for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were good.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn't create a spacious feeling. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. The Mach-E had 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded and 29.7 cubic feet with the second row in place. It also featured a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The interior had a decent-sized storage bin, a large area for smartphones with a wireless charging pad, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a phenomenal Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA software updates. The main infotainment touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. Premium, GT, and First Edition models had a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's size was its only noteworthy feature, with a text-heavy and unattractive design. Climate controls were handled by touchscreen icons and sliders, which were less convenient than analog buttons.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 had impeccable safety ratings, with top scores from NHTSA and IIHS, though the headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's history of safety innovations, such as the boron steel roof and curtain airbags, underscored its commitment to safety.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E's crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at launch. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, was slated for a future OTA update.