2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Volvo XC90

Eager to prove that it’s serious about electric cars, Ford applied the iconic Mustang name to its new electric SUV. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is not only the first electric vehicle to wear the Mustang name, it’s also the first production Mustang model with more than two doors.

Ford has made electric cars before (the Focus Electric ended production just a few years ago), but the Mach-E is much more ambitious. It’s the first Ford electric car based on a dedicated platform, and aimed at a mass audience.

Ford believes style and sportiness will help it sell more EVs, but the emphasis on performance also puts the Mach-E in direct competition with the similarly-sized Tesla Model Y. As a small electric crossover, the Mach-E could also get cross-shopped against the upcoming Volkswagen ID.4 and Nissan Ariya crossovers.

Mach-E buyers must choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), Standard Range and Extended Range battery packs, and four trim levels—Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT Performance Edition. Our test car was a sold out First Edition model, which is identical to the Mach-E Premium trim level aside from cosmetic differences like red brake calipers. It featured the Extended Range battery pack and all-wheel drive.

Volvo may be known for sensible station wagons, but the XC90 SUV is the Swedish automaker’s de facto flagship. The current generation debuted design features, technology, and powertrains that have since found their way into most other Volvo models. Several years into the current-generation model’s lifecycle, the XC90 is no longer a trendsetter, but remains Volvo’s contender in the competitive midsize luxury SUV segment, with the automaker’s typical emphasis on safety features.

The current-generation XC90 launched for the 2016 model year, so most competitors—including the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE—have been updated or redesigned since then. The Cadillac XT6 and Lincoln Aviator didn’t even exist when this generation of XC90 launched.

A redesigned version is expected to arrive soon, so changes to the 2021 XC90 are minimal. All 2021 Volvo models are now limited to 180 kilometres per hour for safety reasons. The XC90 also gets a handful of newly standard tech features, and some small cosmetic changes.

Volvo offers the XC90 in three trim levels—Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription—with three powertrain options: T5 and T6 gasoline engines, and the T8 plug-in hybrid. Our test car was a range-topping T8 Recharge Inscription, combining the top Inscription trim level with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which has the highest output of the three.