2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Volvo XC90

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, nonfunctional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's look and included sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the test car’s Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection.

Inside, the Mach-E featured a massive infotainment touchscreen awkwardly suspended from 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, dominated by decent-quality materials, lacked a leather-upholstery option, even in top trim levels. First Edition models included unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, but the main benefit was being the first produced.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while remaining recognizably a Volvo. It retained traditional styling features like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille. However, softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights set it apart.

Our Inscription test car, the flashiest of the XC90 trim levels, sported extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels. The midlevel R-Design had a sportier look, while the base Momentum lacked extra jewelry. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models, making it a car-based crossover rather than a traditional SUV.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E needed to be sporty to live up to the Mustang name, so Ford made it RWD by default and 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 AWD GT Performance Edition, with 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Our test car had the lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. This was quicker than the Audi E-Tron and only 0.3 seconds 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 made for poor ride quality. Ford included three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed toggling between one-pedal driving and conventional braking.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, upping output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, achieving 400 hp and 472 lb-ft.

The T5 came standard with FWD, with AWD optional, while AWD was standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the 400 hp, the small engine struggled to accelerate away from stops on electric power alone. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only usable at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and quietness, with an optional air-suspension system and a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity for most models.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had packaging more like a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn’t create a feeling of spaciousness, 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 in both rows. The Mach-E had 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.7 cubic feet with it folded, plus a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk.

Ford managed to include a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats, a large flat area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows. The Model Y offered more cargo space and a three-row, seven-seat configuration, making it more versatile.

The three-row 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. Standard four-zone climate control could be augmented with a filtration system for fine particulate matter.

Our Inscription test car had 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console bin and few console storage options. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Volvo offered a hands-free power tailgate.

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. Standard features included SiriusXM 360L with satellite radio and a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims getting a nine-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The 15.5-inch touchscreen displayed almost everything at once, making for a text-heavy and unattractive design. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls with touchscreen icons and sliders for climate controls, which were less convenient than buttons.

The 2021 Volvo XC90’s Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A and two rear USB-C ports. Available features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display.

The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, allowing swiping across menus like a tablet. The lack of analog controls wasn’t an issue due to the touchscreen’s functionality. However, the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 didn’t fit most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or 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 trims included a 360-degree camera system.

The Mach-E was slated to get Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. This feature would be available via OTA update for $600 and was standard on higher trims.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid.

Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering and was one of the smoothest systems available. However, it was limited and not meant to replace an attentive human driver.