2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible with its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained a Mustang-like appearance with its thin headlights, elongated hood, and large oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design, featuring sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further emphasized the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen, giving it a minimalist feel akin to Tesla's electric cars. The interior materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of a leather-upholstery option, even in higher trims. The First Edition models boasted unique trim elements, such as red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, distinguishing them from other trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, offered a surprising value for its price. With a choice of two new gasoline engines and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, the Santa Fe lineup included SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, giving each trim a unique character. Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures, and a bridge-style center console. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with its premium leather and suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe's interior was comfortable and spacious, with features like heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ample storage. The exterior design, however, was polarizing, with some discordant asymmetry in the body parts.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to be sporty, living up to the Mustang name with its RWD default and decent power. 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, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Our test car featured a lower-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel due to its low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension resulted in poor ride quality. Ford offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—with minimal differences between them. The Mach-E also allowed for one-pedal driving and conventional braking.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a starter/generator, and an electric drive motor, producing a total of 226 hp. The Limited and Calligraphy trims had a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the transmission showing reluctance to downshift in Smart mode. The Calligraphy trim provided a quick, solid, and refined driving experience, with impressive body control and athletic handling. The turbocharged engine was fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 24 mpg, and we averaged 22.4 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its packaging resembled a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn't create a spacious feeling, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E offered less interior space, with the Model Y providing more 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 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, with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample passenger room for a midsize SUV. All trims included dual-zone automatic climate control, with stain-resistant fabric for cloth seats and leather available for higher trims. The Calligraphy trim offered a luxurious interior with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe was comfortable, with power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was spacious, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The Santa Fe had a smart hands-free power liftgate, revealing 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new 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 getting a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's size was its most notable feature, with a text-heavy design that was difficult to navigate. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls, with a volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch HUD. The basic 8-inch touchscreen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch screen had wired versions and upgraded voice-recognition technology. The larger screen also came with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Hyundai's Blue Link connected services were free for three years, offering features like remote engine start and climate control adjustment. The Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot but included Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

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. Higher trims included a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, allowing for automated driving on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera for monitoring distraction. This feature was not available at launch but could be added later via OTA update.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, with the Calligraphy trim including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot monitoring to prevent door opening when unsafe. The rear-occupant alert system was standard, with an ultrasonic version available for higher trims. Blind-Spot View Monitor provided video views within the digital instrument cluster. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. The Santa Fe was an IIHS Top Safety Pick with LED projector headlights.