2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to capture the essence of the classic 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 color palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection. Inside, the Mach-E's interior was dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen, giving it a minimalist feel reminiscent of Tesla's electric cars. The materials used were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of a leather-upholstery option, even in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey was a practical choice for families, offering a classic minivan design with a touch of style. Its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines added a sense of flair to its otherwise clean flanks. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Odyssey boasted a spacious and functional interior with quality materials and a low console between the front seats. The center stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was easy to navigate. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows provided excellent visibility, making it clear that you were in a minivan. The Odyssey's design prioritized comfort and practicality, making it a reliable choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to live up to the Mustang name with its sporty performance. It came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) 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 all-wheel-drive (AWD) GT Performance Edition, boasting 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Our test car featured a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel, though the ride quality suffered due to its taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. It offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and allowed for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive (FWD) and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. It had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While not as fun to drive as some rivals, the Odyssey provided a pleasant driving experience during daily commutes. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill drives could lead to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and responsive, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its packaging resembled that of a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn't create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short in interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. It provided 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded and 29.7 cubic feet with the second row in place. The Mach-E also featured a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk (frunk) and a decent-sized storage bin between the front seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable, with plenty of legroom and the option to remove the center section for added flexibility. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for easy configuration, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air 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 sound system. The touchscreen's size was its standout feature, but its text-heavy design made it less user-friendly. Climate controls were handled through touchscreen icons and sliders, which could be less convenient than traditional buttons.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was becoming outdated compared to rivals. Starting with the EX trim, it offered an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. The Odyssey Touring and Elite included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display, but it was behind the times. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. The Odyssey's infotainment system was user-friendly but could benefit from a larger screen and a tuning knob.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet received crash-test ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS. It came with standard driver-assist features, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. Higher trim levels offered 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.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was well-equipped with safety features, including Honda Sensing, which encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, and some safety features could respond too sharply to changing driving situations.