2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E tried to draw a connection with the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior styling. It had four doors and a rear hatch, but still looked Mustang-like thanks to thin headlights, a long hood, and a large (nonfunctional) oval grille. The taillights copied the look of the original Mustang items and featured sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the test car’s Grabber Blue, reinforced the Mustang connection.

Inside, the electric Mustang was dominated by 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,” just like other Mustang models. The rotary gear selector on the center console gave the interior a minimalist feel, similar to Tesla electric cars. Interior materials were of decent quality, matching the minimalist design theme, but some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of a leather-upholstery option. First Edition models featured unique trim elements like red brake calipers and brushed aluminum pedals.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner traced its roots back to the SUV craze of the 1980s, maintaining its rugged construction and relationship to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Unlike many modern SUVs that evolved to utilize more car-based platforms, the 4Runner stayed true to its original concept. Toyota wasn’t being stubborn; it had the Highlander for family-hauling duties, allowing the 4Runner to cater to those who ventured off the beaten path.

Few vehicles wore their sense of adventure like the 4Runner. Its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper were designed for approaching obstacles. Inside, function reigned supreme, but the dash layout was reminiscent of the late-2000s. Trims included SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited. Standard features on the SR5 included push-button start, remote keyless entry, a power-sliding rear window, satellite radio, multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trail Special Edition featured 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, a unique monotone paint scheme, and a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket.

To live up to the Mustang name, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E needed to be sporty. Ford made it RWD by default and decently powerful. The base RWD Select model made 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to get from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most potent configuration was the AWD GT Performance Edition, which packed 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, achieving zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

The test car had a lower-level AWD powertrain, good for 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with light but responsive steering and a planted feeling due to the low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension made for poor ride quality, not helped by the 19-inch wheels. 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 Toyota 4Runner came with a single engine, a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This dated engine was reliable but felt underwhelming in most driving situations. Power was routed through a five-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels or available 4WD with low range.

The 4Runner’s ride was harsh and cumbersome, with significant body roll and jostling over bumps. However, off-road, the suspension absorbed rocks, bumps, and root beds effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models included Crawl Control and a locking differential. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, more than most car-based crossovers.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV, but its packaging was more like a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was fairly low, and the low roofline didn’t create a feeling of spaciousness. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space. The Model Y offered more headroom and legroom and was available in a three-row configuration.

The Mach-E had 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. It also had a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The narrow space between the front seats included a decent-sized storage bin and a large, flat area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version. With the second-row seats in use, it offered 47.2 cubic feet. The three-row 4Runner had 88.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, 46.3 behind the second row, and just 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The third row was optional on the SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited models, increasing seating capacity to seven.

The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window. The cabin packaging wasn’t as efficient as more modern SUVs, but it wasn’t cramped. There were plenty of spaces for gear, though more could be added.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first Ford vehicles to get the new Sync 4 infotainment system, which included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and capability for over-the-air software updates. The main infotainment touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. SiriusXM 360L with satellite radio and a six-speaker audio system were standard, while Premium, GT, and First Edition models got 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 took the place of analog controls, with a large volume knob and touchscreen icons for climate controls. While these icons were located where analog buttons would normally be, pressing buttons would have been easier than manipulating the screen.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, surrounded by hard buttons and dials. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. Navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were optional.

The infotainment system was straightforward and relied on tactile controls, helpful when driving with gloves on. While it lacked advanced features like a head-up display, it covered the tech basics and offered a refreshing simplicity.

Crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) weren’t available yet for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. 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. A 360-degree camera system was standard on higher trim levels.

The Mach-E was slated to get Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated stretches of divided highway. This system would be available via an OTA update for $600. The basic adaptive cruise control system kept pace with traffic reliably, and its automated lane centering was smooth.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, such as forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera system were optional. The TRD Pro also came with an off-road camera system.

The 4Runner earned four out of five stars for frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA and three stars for rollover testing. The 2022 4Runner hadn’t been evaluated by the IIHS yet. It was backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.