2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to evoke the spirit of the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained Mustang-like features such as thin headlights, a long hood, and a large, nonfunctional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's look and included sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the eye-catching Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection.

Inside, the Mach-E featured a massive infotainment touchscreen that appeared awkwardly suspended in the middle of the dashboard. A thin rectangular display served as the instrument cluster, displaying speed as "ground speed," similar to other Mustang models. The minimalist interior design, dominated by Ford’s standard rotary gear selector on the center console, was reminiscent of Tesla electric cars. Interior materials were of decent quality, but the lack of a leather-upholstery option might have disappointed some buyers. The First Edition models included unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, was a luxurious behemoth that shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but felt entirely unique. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton truck. Its design featured simple rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, maintaining a classy appearance. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and a taste for finer details. The wood trim layered behind the 10-inch touchscreen, the push-button gear selector, and the floating center console with chromed switches all contributed to a muted and modern aesthetic. Materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making them incredibly comfortable. The Navigator's interior was spacious and luxurious, rivaling even the most sumptuous SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E needed to live up to the Mustang name, so Ford made it rear-wheel drive (RWD) by default and ensured it was decently powerful. 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 potent configuration was the all-wheel-drive (AWD) GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, with a zero to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Our test car had the lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and a zero to 60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. This made it quicker than the Audi E-Tron and only slightly behind the Jaguar I-Pace. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feeling due to the low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in poor ride quality. Ford provided three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—with minimal differences between them. The Mach-E also offered one-pedal driving and well-tuned friction brakes.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt surprisingly sprightly for its size. The 4WD system was smooth and efficient, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models.

Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, matching the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a rudimentary suspension feel compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Escalade. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV but felt more like a station wagon or hatchback. The low driving position and roofline didn't create a spacious feeling, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. The Model Y also provided more cargo space, with 68.0 cubic feet compared to the Mach-E's 59.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Mach-E had a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk (frunk) and a 29.7-cubic-foot cargo space with the second row in place.

The Navigator, on the other hand, offered the square footage of a small bedroom. It could comfortably house six adults, with ample space for heads, arms, and legs. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The Navigator provided 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading.

Our Navigator Reserve featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The second row had an optional console with integrated climate and stereo controls. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to feature the new Sync 4 infotainment system, which included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air (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 came with a nine-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The 15.5-inch touchscreen was a signature feature, but its design was cluttered and text-heavy. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls with touchscreen icons and sliders, which were less intuitive to use. The large volume knob was a welcome addition, but overall, the touchscreen interface could have been more user-friendly.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to the advanced displays in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's infotainment system couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln skin, but it was slow to react.

The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations on the instrument panel were a nice touch, and the overall simplicity of the Lincoln's tech was a relief compared to more complex systems.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, a reverse sensing system, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. Higher trim levels included a 360-degree camera system.

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 a $600 OTA update in the third quarter of 2021.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. Optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.