2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
✔ Handling that is both responsive and quick-witted acceleration
✔ Quiet, understated interior
✔ Technology that sets the standard
✔ Priced in comparison to competitors
CONS
❌ No V8-comparable creds (yet)
2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E SPECS
| Body Type | SUV |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel-Drive |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Engine | Electric permanent magnet dual motor |
| Transmission | 1-Speed Automatic |
When Ford introduced the first mass-produced motorized carriage more than a century ago, the company initiated a mobility revolution. The automaker is angling to ride the wave of transformation to electrification by breaking the mold of internal combustion engines (ICE) with its first expansion of the Mustang lineup in 56 years. This marks the first time the lineup has been expanded. In its place is a brand-redefining luxury ride that is smooth and silent—a hallmark of the electric engine—with performance that is worthy of the Mustang badge. Gone is the guttural growl of the V8 ICE engine. Additionally, the most recent generation of the Ford Sync infotainment system demonstrates how far the company has come in terms of its capabilities regarding connected cars. The 2021 Mach-E demonstrates that Ford is not a one-trick pony, and as a result, it has earned our Editors’ Choice award.
Pricing and Design Considerations for Mach-E
The Mach-E is available in five different trims: Select, California Route 1, Premium, GT (late summer 2021), and First Edition (sold out), and it has a number of different battery and electric motor configurations that allow the driver to customize the vehicle’s power output as well as its driving range. All of the available trim levels feature a battery pack with a capacity of 88.0 kWh and two electric motors, one mounted on each axle to distribute power to the vehicle’s wheels.
In addition, each one features DC quick-charging capability and either a portable charging cable operating on 120 or 240 volts, or both. The DC fast charger has a maximum output of 150 kilowatts and can increase a vehicle’s range by 52 miles in just ten minutes. During our testing, we discovered that the Mach-E Premium trim’s battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 45 minutes.
The Ford app provides access to the company’s charging network, which consists of 13,500 stations owned and operated by third parties. Once the payment information is preloaded in the app, the charging process will begin as soon as the vehicle is plugged in at a station that supports the Plug & Charge protocol. This happens within seconds. When connected to a 240-volt outlet, the Ford mobile charger that comes standard with the vehicle has the potential to increase the driving range by an estimated 20 miles per hour. Amazon and Ford are collaborating to offer home installation services carried out by qualified electricians.
Aside from the ability to charge, the Mach-E comes standard with wheels that are 18 inches in diameter, keyless entry and ignition that allows access to a smartphone, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and upholstery that is made to look like leather. A digital instrument panel, a 15.5-inch touch screen with Ford’s next-generation Sync 4A infotainment interface, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a six-speaker audio system are all included as standard features in this vehicle’s technology package. Every trim level comes standard with Ford’s comprehensive suite of advanced safety features known as Co-Pilot360.
The Select trim has a starting price of $42,895 and is available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) with 230 miles of range, 266 horsepower, and 317 pound-feet of torque or all-wheel drive (AWD) with 211 miles of range, 266hp, and 428 pound-feet of torque. Both drivetrains come standard with 266 horsepower.
The California Route 1 trim has a starting price of $49,800, an extended-range battery with RWD, a maximum of 300 miles of range, 290 horsepower, and 317 pound-feet of torque, and it is available for purchase. This trim includes a panoramic fixed-glass roof, power-folding mirrors, an automated parking system, driver’s seat memory settings, and a surround-view camera in addition to black-painted wheels and exterior trimlines.
The Premium trim has a starting price of $47,000 and comes with three different battery options: the standard-range battery, an extended-range battery with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and an AWD option with an extended-range battery that has a range of 270 miles but adds 346 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is the most expensive option. The Premium pre-production trim that we tested came equipped with all-wheel drive and included additional features such as 19-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, acoustically insulated front windows, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated steering wheel and front seats, interior ambient lighting, and a nine-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system in addition to the features that were already mentioned. The First Edition trim, which is no longer available, is virtually identical to the Premium AWD.
The GT trim has a maximum price of $60,500 and comes standard with an extended-range battery and all-wheel drive. It also has a maximum of 480 horsepower, 600 pound-feet of torque, and 250 miles of range. The range of a Performance Edition is reduced, but it gains an additional 34 pound-feet of torque and comes standard with a MagneRide damping system, performance seats, and summer tires measuring 20 inches in diameter from Pirelli.
Another feature that sets the Mach-E apart from other vehicles in its class is the extensive standard equipment in terms of technology and convenience features. The first generation of Ford Sync was instrumental in establishing industry norms; similarly, the most recent iteration of the system has now established a standard for what is to be expected of software-defined vehicles and how these vehicles should interact with the larger mobility ecosystem. The Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 hands-free semi-automated driving system will be activated by this fall for upper trims when all software updates will be delivered over the air (OTA). These updates will improve vehicle performance, provide maintenance updates, and activate the system.
When compared to the Audi e-tron, the Tesla Model Y, the Volvo Polestar 2, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Mach-E is one of the more cost-effective options because it comes with a federal credit of $7,500. Additionally, it is one of the more powerful options.
Technology on the Cutting Edge
Standard technological features on the Mach-E include a digital instrument cluster measuring 10.2 inches and, much like its competitor, the Model Y, a touch screen measuring 15.5 inches that is mounted above the center console. There are some physical controls, such as a volume knob, that are included in addition to the touch screen that makes the Sync 4 infotainment system from Ford simple to operate.
The menus are easy to navigate, and there is a shortcut bar that adapts to your preferences automatically as the system learns more about you. The in-car navigation system offered by Ford is both practical and packed with features. The front console has a wireless charging pad for smartphones in addition to four USB ports, two of which are located in the front and two of which are located in the back.
The suite of driver assistance features known as Co-Pilot360 that Ford offers includes adaptive cruise control, front-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering, rear parking sensors with automatic braking, and a surround-view camera. Other features in the suite include lane centering and lane departure warning.
The Bang & Olufsen sound system that is available on the Premium trim level has excellent sound quality and is integrated very tastefully across the front of the vehicle. It is situated like a soundbar directly above the air vents.
On the Mach-E, you’ll find the first appearance of a smartphone digital key. If your smartphone is equipped with Bluetooth, the vehicle will be able to recognize your approach and will automatically unlock the doors and allow you to start driving without you having to remove your phone from your pocket or use a key fob. In the event that your phone is not on you or is not powered on, there is also a keypad and a fob located on the B-pillar.
The Ford app provides a variety of information and services, including the current charge status, trip planning that highlights the battery level and available charging stations, and the ability to perform certain vehicle functions such as opening the windows or liftgate.
The button-activated doors, which add understated styling and elongate the exterior line of the vehicle, but require some practice to get used to when entering and exiting the vehicle, are still up for debate. After you have located the button and pressed it, there will be a brief pause before the door will open. First, you will need to locate the button. The storage compartment in the trunk up front is another distinctive feature. It has a storage capacity of 4.8 cubic feet and can be loaded down with ice and beverages before being emptied when it’s no longer needed.
Performance at Mach E Levels
Although it is classified as a luxury SUV, the Mach-E has characteristics that are more typical of a crossover wagon in terms of its utility and performance. These characteristics include its long hood, hindquarter design, aggressive headlights, and tri-bar taillamps, all of which are hallmarks of the Mustang.
Engage, Unbridled, and Whisper are the three different drive experiences that give you the ability to match the driving dynamics with a specific sensory experience. Included in the list of features is a set of custom-designed driving elements such as more rigid steering controls, ambient lighting, sounds that produce a genuine all-electric experience, and dynamic cluster animations that respond to the driver’s actions while they are behind the wheel.
The Mach-E all-wheel drive system that we tested sends torque instantly to both the front and rear axles, which results in acceleration that presses the driver into the seat and fun that grips the corners. When driving down steep hills, we engaged a mode that automatically reduced our rate of acceleration by shifting the gearshift into the L position.
The massive battery pack that is positioned on the floor of the vehicle between the two axles offers gravity-gripping performance on asphalt and has a standard capacity of 68.0 kWh, which translates to 230 miles for RWD Mach-Es and 211 miles for AWD Mach-Es. The Mach-combination E’s of regenerative braking and friction brakes has some kinks, but the one-pedal function works without any problems. When you combine the regen with the sportier handling and the more engaging performance, the Mach-E delivers an experience that is on par with that of a Mustang.
Ford’s GT trim is targeting a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, which would make it quicker off the line than a Porsche Macan Turbo. This would appeal to purists who miss the more traditional merits of the vintage Mustang. The GT Performance Edition, on the other hand, is aiming for a time of 3.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
A Unique Variant of the Mustang
Although the Mustang brand is well-known around the world, coupes typically do not sell very well outside of the male population of North America. Crossovers do. Polishing off the Mustang brand is a brilliant move, considering the potential customer base for the Mach-E spans a much wider demographic. We respect Ford’s effort to broaden the meaning of power beyond its traditional, testosterone-driven connotation by incorporating the connected and electrically powered reality of the modern world.
The Mustang’s reputation for freedom, progress, and performance will live on in the 2021 Mach-E, which will be an electric vehicle with a potent future. In addition to this, it features cutting-edge technology such as over-the-air (OTA) updates and machine learning, both of which continue to enhance both the vehicle itself and the experience of driving it. Although it currently lags behind the Tesla Model Y in a few key metrics, these discrepancies will be rectified when the GT trim is released toward the end of the summer. This not only puts the Mach-E ahead of the competition but also earns it the title of Editors’ Choice in our book.
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