2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Review

　　

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E may not be the fastest or most affordable electric vehicle out there, nor does it have the most range. It is, however, what zzdcar considers the best in the luxury EV class. Wait, luxury? Yes, we're classifying it among traditional luxury brands because of its mid-$40,000 starting price (before tax breaks and incentives). It's especially worthy of the luxury tag when you look at the high-performance Mach-E GT, which starts above $60,000. But the Mustang Mach-E also proves itself worthy in several other areas too.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E EV Insights

Trim:Mustang Mach-E Select

　　Select 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $42,895 MSRPSelect 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) - $45,595 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $47,600 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) - $50,300 MSRPCalifornia Route 1 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $50,400 MSRPFirst Edition 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $58,900 MSRPGT 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) - $59,900 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

 zzdcar TESTED

　　249 milesThe range for a used 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is estimated to be 249 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 249 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　8.8 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$72/mo

　　Mustang Mach-E

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　This is the first Ford to be designed specifically as an electric vehicle — there will be no gas-powered version or even a hybrid. Roughly the same size as a Ford Escape or Porsche Macan, the Mustang Mach-E blends typical SUV proportions with some characteristic Mustang styling details. We were initially skeptical about Ford using the Mustang name, but the driving experience is enjoyable enough for the Mach-E to earn that badge.

　　Key rivals include the Audi e-tron, Polestar 2, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Volkswagen ID.4. But it's so good that we suggest checking it out no matter what type of EV (or, quite frankly, non-EV) you're in the market for. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our take on the Mach-E's performance, range and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar purchased a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium with rear-wheel drive and the extended-range battery. It offers an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range, though it exceeded that figure in its initial EV range test. Recurrent to see how it holds up in our hands.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Mustang Mach-E drive? The Mach-E may be a wagon-like SUV, but it delivers the speed and agility you'd expect of anything wearing a Mustang badge. We tested a Mach-E in the Premium trim with the extended-range battery and all-wheel drive. At the zzdcar test track, it zipped from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. A few rival EVs are a little quicker (the Tesla Model Y, for instance) but overall the Mach-E, at least the version we tested, is pleasingly quick.

　　Ford tuned the handling dynamics to make even this all-wheel-drive SUV feel more like a rear-wheel-drive sport sedan. Around turns, it's playful and engaging. You'll feel a lot of body movement in transitions, but it's composed and stable.

　　In typical driving, the Mach-E delivers a buttery smooth experience. The regenerative braking effect works well and allows for one-pedal driving, which means you can slow down to a complete stop just by taking your foot off the accelerator. We actually prefer doing this than using the brake pedal; it's a little vague and grabby, making it hard to stop smoothly in typical driving. We hope Ford can improve the tuning with a future over-the-air software update.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Mustang Mach-E? Highlights include a suspension that excels at soaking up large bumps in the road, a cabin that's well insulated against wind and ambient noise, and an excellent and easy-to-use climate control system. The available seat and steering wheel heaters get toasty pretty quick, though we'd welcome the option of seat ventilation for warmer climates.

　　The seats are pretty comfortable, with padding that feels as soft and cushy as memory foam but breathes better. But the seats lack a few key adjustments, such as a lower thigh cushion extender for longer-legged drivers. There's very little lateral support holding you in place. Unfortunately, seats with more adjustments are not available.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Ford's latest Sync 4 infotainment system, specifically the one designed for the Mach-E's 15.5-inch central touchscreen, is one of our new favorites. Menus are easy to navigate, and there's a handy shortcut bar that's continually updated based on the last functions you used. And unlike the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E also has a 10.2-inch digital drive cluster that displays pertinent info that's right in the driver's line of sight.

　　The front seats don't offer as many adjustments as those you might find in a typical luxury sedan, but most drivers should be able to settle into a seating position they like. In back, there's ample space for adults. Despite the Mach-E's fastback roofline, visibility is surprisingly decent, and climbing into and out of the cabin takes little effort. The Mach-E's push-button door releases are pretty cool and work well, though we wonder how robust they'll be over time.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Mach-E nails its interior tech. We like the big 15.5-inch center touchscreen that's supported by physical controls, such a volume knob. Unlike the Model Y, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is present and also wireless (though you can still connect through USB cord). Ford's onboard navigation system is responsive and cleanly designed, but not so overly minimalistic like some competitor systems.

　　The Premium trim includes an excellent 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that creates a rich sound environment, with access to AM/FM and XM satellite radio. Our tester also included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree cameras. It was an early production prototype, so we did experience some issues with a few of the aids being unavailable, but the ones that worked worked very well.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Mach-E's hatch-style trunk helps maximize cargo space. Ford says there's 29 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. That's not as generous as the Model Y, especially underfloor. There is, however, a very clever flexible cargo cover that attaches to the rear hatch and swings up out of the way or can be removed completely. Adding to the Mach-E's cargo capacity are the split rear seats that fold. The front trunk is a bit small but has a drain hole, allowing you to use it as an ice-filled cooler that can be drained later.

　　Up front, a two-tiered console offers plenty of storage options for your personal items and makes the front cabin look more spacious. The side door pockets are a decent width but short on height. A wireless charging pad ahead of the cupholders looks like it will accommodate two phones, but it's really only big enough for one.

　　Got little kids? The child safety seat anchor points are located behind slits in the seatback. They're not as visible as the Euro-style Isofix anchors but provide OK access.

　　

Range and Efficiency

8.0/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The range estimate for an all-wheel-drive Mach-E with the extended-range battery is 270 miles with an efficiency of 37 kWh of battery power used per 100 miles. Both of those figures are average for a luxury EV.

　　In zzdcar' real-world range testing, the Mach-E was more efficient, using 33.1 kWh per 100 miles (remember that with an EV the lower the figure, the better). It also outperformed its EPA-estimated range, going 304 miles on a full battery. Most EVs have exceeded their EPA estimates in our testing, with the notable exception of Tesla's vehicles.

　　Ford says the Mach-E can add up to 61 miles in as little as 10 minutes, or go from 10% to 80% battery charge in 45 minutes, with a 150-kW DC fast charger. Ford is also selling its own Connected Charge home charging station. Similar in concept to Tesla's Wall Connector, it's a high-powered charger that you can use to add up to 30 miles of charge per hour.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Mustang Mach-E a good value? Unlike Tesla, Ford's EV credits have not yet run out, meaning the potential discounts on the Mach-E make it a pretty attractive deal. Build quality feels solid overall, and the cabin is beautifully trimmed in a style that feels reminiscent of Scandinavian design. If not for the typical Ford switchgear that appears on the steering wheel and doors, you might think you were in a Lincoln.

　　Ford's warranty is a bit less generous compared to luxury makes but isn't that far off. Coverage lasts for three years/36,000 miles for bumper-to-bumper and five years/60,000 miles for the powertrain. Electric components are covered for eight years/100,000 miles including retention of 70% or more of the original high-voltage battery capacity.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　When Ford announced it was building an electric Mustang SUV, most of our team scoffed at the idea. Somehow the designers managed to pull it off. The Mach-E resembles a Mustang and yet is very practical. Ford also did well to include some driving personality in the way the Mach-E attacks corners. It's surprisingly fun on a curvy back road. Some EVs can be bland, but not this one.

　　

Which Mustang Mach-E does zzdcar recommend?

Figuring out the Mustang Mach-E's trim levels and configurations can take some time. There's no bad choice, but we suggest going with the Premium trim. It comes with lots of convenience and luxury features and gives you the most flexibility in picking a powertrain. The standard battery should be fine for most EV owners, but you'll want to get the extended-range battery if you're thinking of doing some long-distance driving.

　　

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E models

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is classified as an all-electric SUV, but in reality it lies somewhere between SUV and wagon. It seats five people and is available in five trim levels: Select, California Route 1, Premium, GT and First Edition. Most offer different battery and electric motor configurations that further influence power outputs and the EPA-estimated range you can drive on a full battery charge. The lineup includes:

　　Select

　　Rear-wheel drive (RWD): 230 miles of range; 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque

　　All-wheel drive (AWD): 211 miles of range; 266 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque

　　California Route 1

　　Extended-range battery, RWD: 305 miles of range; 290 hp and 317 lb-ft

　　Premium

　　Standard-range battery, RWD and AWD: same as the Select

　　Extended-range battery, RWD: 300 miles of range; 290 hp and 317 lb-ft

　　Extended-range battery, AWD: 270 miles of range; 346 hp and 428 lb ft

　　First Edition

　　Extended-range battery, AWD: same as the Premium version

　　GT

　　Extended-range battery, AWD: 270 miles of range; 480 hp and 600 lb-ft

　　Performance Edition: 260 miles of range; 480 hp and 634 lb-ft

　　The different trim levels also come with different features.

　　Select

　　Starts you off with:

　　18-inch wheels Keyless entry and start, including the option to use your phone as a key Auto-dimming rearview mirror Power-adjustable driver's seat 60/40-split folding rear seat Simulated leather upholsteryStandard technology features include:

　　Digital instrument panel 15.5-inch central touchscreen Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Navigation system Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app Wireless smartphone charging pad Six-speaker audio system Portable 120-volt or 240-volt charging cable DC fast-charging capability (supports up to 150-kW charging stations)Every Mustang Mach-E also comes with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver aids that includes:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Lane centering (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Rear parking sensors with automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) California Route 1

　　Adds more convenience and technology features, such as:

　　Black-painted wheels and exterior trim Power-folding mirrors Panoramic fixed-glass roof Cargo cover Ford's BlueCruise system (uses the vehicle's advanced driver aids to further provide hands-free driving capability on select divided highways; delayed system activation until fall 2021) Automated parking system Driver-seat memory settings Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)Premium

　　Has the above features plus more luxury-oriented features, such as:

　　19-inch wheels Hands-free liftgate Acoustically insulated front windows Power-adjustable front passenger seat Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Interior ambient lighting 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio systemFirst Edition

　　Similarly equipped to the Premium trim. Additionally, you get some minor aesthetic upgrades that include unique scuff plates, interior stitching and painted brake calipers.

　　GT

　　The Mustang Mach-E GT is equipped similarly to the Premium trim. It lacks the BlueCruise system and the panoramic glass roof but those can be added back as options. The GT also has:

　　20-inch wheels with wider tires Sport-tuned suspension Body-colored fender arches Black grille Sport front seats with additional bolstering and microfiber upholstery insertsThe GT Performance Edition, besides having the extra power noted above, enhances the Mach-E with:

　　Unique seat upholstery Unique 20-inch wheels Adaptive suspension dampers (enhance handling and ride comfort)

　　

2021 Mustang Mach-E Highlights

Type: HatchbackGTHatchback

　　Trim: SelectPremiumCalifornia Route 1First EditionGTSelect

　　

Base MSRP	$42,895
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	230 miles
Cost to Drive	$72/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.8 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	34.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles