2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Lexus GX

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, complete with 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 in the middle of the dashboard, complemented by a thin rectangular display serving as the instrument cluster. The minimalist interior, dominated by Ford’s standard rotary gear selector, 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 boasted unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals, but the main benefit was being among the first produced.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than 24 hours for a windy afternoon to coat the Lexus with a layer of brown dust, making it look drab and old. The GX’s design, despite updates, still looked dated, reminiscent of the first-generation 2002 GX 470.

Inside, the GX’s cabin quality was impeccable, featuring the smooth, silky refinement Lexus is known for. The standard V8 engine provided a faint roar, adding to the quiet and refined interior. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E needed to be sporty to live up to its name. 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. The test car had a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel 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 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to reach 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and tow up to 6,500 pounds. A six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40 percent of power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear. The GX’s drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to its EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability. Despite its age, the GX remained agreeable to drive, with refined ride and handling. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were less appealing.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. The low driving position and roofline didn’t create a spacious feeling, similar to the Tesla Model Y and VW ID.4. The Mach-E fell short on interior space compared to the Model Y, which offered more headroom, legroom, and a three-row configuration. The Mach-E provided 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. The interior featured a decent-sized storage bin, a large area for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear visibility. The GX’s tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The seats were comfortable, with padding in appropriate places, but some switchgear was old-school. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry tricky. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, reducing cargo space when in use. The GX’s tailgate swung open to the side, complicating loading in tight spaces. Cargo capacity was 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with it folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA updates. The main 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 sound system. The touchscreen’s size was its only noteworthy feature, with a text-heavy and unattractive design. Climate controls were managed through touchscreen icons and sliders, which were less convenient than analog buttons.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 boasted a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, and a CD player. The Lexus app, smartwatch compatibility, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot, were also available. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was optional. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

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, reverse sensing system, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. Higher trims had a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera monitoring for distraction. This feature would be available via OTA update for $600.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally a teenager, lacked crash-test ratings. Standard Lexus Safety System+ included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving systems.