2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

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. A vibrant 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.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport embraced a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup. It was designed as a unibody crossover with a focus on everyday driving and weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a short front overhang for improved approach angles and tall fender wells for trail driving. Its bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with minimal Ford branding, tied it to its larger sibling, the Bronco. The interior was rugged yet uncluttered, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The Bronco Sport offered a range of wheel options, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks and Badlands models.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with sporty performance. 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, with responsive steering and a low-mounted battery pack for a planted feel. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in poor ride quality. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it offered good manners, though the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV but had a station wagon or hatchback-like packaging. Its low driving position and roofline didn't 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. It also featured a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The interior included a storage bin under a flip-up armrest and a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, complete with a wireless charging pad and USB ports.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might have found outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's 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 it difficult to navigate. Climate controls were handled by touchscreen icons and sliders, with a large volume knob included. Premium, GT, and First Edition models came with a nine-speaker B&O sound system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen running SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base, and higher trims featured a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came with standard driver-assist features like automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Higher trims included a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, allowing for hands-free driving on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera for monitoring distraction.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.