2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

As time progresses, more automobile companies are developing and creating electric cars, and it is clear that they will be the way of the future. For drivers, their long list of benefits are hard to pass up. Electric vehicles are better for the environment, they cost less to maintain and operate, and they are more quiet than gas operated vehicles. Also, when you purchase an electric vehicle, you are eligible for special tax credits. Trying to figure out which type you should buy may feel like a daunting task, but if you are in the market for an electric vehicle, the Ford Mustang Mach-E should be at the top of your list.

The Ford Mustang is a beloved and storied American brand. Since the early days of the automobile, this company has enjoyed a constant presence in American culture. With the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford has taken a huge and rather impressive step into the future, while keeping the name of one of it's most iconic models on the minds of consumers. The Mustang Mach-E is an electric crossover SUV that has a driving range of up to 300 miles. With a seating capacity of five, it has the latest technology, as well as some innovative approaches to storage. The exterior is sleek and futuristic, with tons of class. The Mustang Mach-E has two available battery sizes, and it comes in five different trim levels.

Compare the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select vs. Premium Trims. What is the difference?

The Select is available in either Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or electric All Wheel Drive (eAWD), and has horsepower of 266 with a standard-range battery, which is 68 kWh. For the first of five trim levels, it has a lot of impressive features that come standard.

The Ford Co-Pilot 360 2.0 package is standard, and it alerts you to possible cross-traffic interference and blind spots. It also has a rearview camera, a lane keeping system, and automatic emergency braking. A reverse sensing system, post-collision braking, and reverse brake assist round out this package. The Select comes with 18-inch carbonized gray-painted aluminum wheels.

The Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 is another standard package that comes with the Select. It includes a navigation system with advanced voice recognition, lane centering, intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and speed sign recognition.

Fordpass Connect is a smartphone app that connects the vehicle to the internet and provides things like WiFi hotspots and traffic information. It, too, comes standard with the Select, as well as a wireless phone charging pad. The entertainment system has a 6-speaker stereo, Sirius XM radio with 360L, and speed-compensated volume. The touchscreen in the Select is 15.5 inches, and there is also intelligent access with a push button start, rain-sensing front windshield wipers, and a universal garage door opener.

With the Mustang Mach-E Select and all additional trim levels, it is clear that Ford has been very thoughtful about storage. In the front of the vehicle, there is storage under the pedestal center console armrest, there are storage bins on the front doors, and an open media bin. In the cargo area, there is an adjustable load floor, as well as charge cord storage below the load floor.

MyKey, technology that allows you to set certain driver settings like speed and audio volume, comes standard across all trim levels, as well as the SOS Post-Crash Alert System and a keyless entry keypad.

Standard safety features with the Select include wiper-activated headlamps with courtesy delay, tail lamps with LED signature lights, and manual side view mirrors with heated power glass. AdvanceTrac is an electronic stability system that assists the driver with navigating through difficult road conditions, and along with it, there is an advanced security package that includes an anti-theft system.

In terms of charging capability, all trim levels have a combo connector system with a charge port capable of charging on 120V, 240V and Direct Current (DC). It has up to 10.5kW with 48 amp capability with AC charging, and up to 150kW capability with DC charging. All trim levels also come with the Ford mobile charger, which includes a switchable cord end, a portable charge cord, and a single phase on-board charger.

The EPA estimates that with a standard-range battery, the Select can operate for 230 miles with RWD and 211 miles with eAWD before needing to be recharged. In terms of exterior features, all trim levels have phone as key, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a front trunk. With the Select, the lift gate is manual.

The next trim level is the Premium, and it is available with a standard-range battery, or an extended battery range of 88 kWh. In RWD with the extended-range battery, it has horsepower of 290, and in eAWD it has horsepower of 346. With the standard battery, it has horsepower of 266 for both powertrain categories. Regarding EPA estimates, the Premium equipped with a standard battery can go for 230 miles in RWD, and 211 miles in eAWD before needing to be charged. With the extended-range battery, it can go for 300 miles in RWD and 270 miles in eAWD before needing to be charged.

In addition to all of the features already listed for the Select, the Premium comes standard with quite a few amenities that were only available as optional add-ons at the previous trim level. These include a 360-degree camera with split-view and a front washer, a hands-free foot activated power lift gate, and also the Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package. This package has Active Park Assist 2.0 as well as an Active Drive Assist Prep Kit.

The Premium also adds a memory driver's seat, heated front row seats, and a heated steering wheel. It comes standard with 19-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with high gloss, black-painted pockets.

Also standard on the Premium is an upgraded 9- speaker B & O sound system by Bang & Olufsen that includes a subwoofer. There are also features that are only available as optional add-ons with the Premium, and they are Perforated ActiveX seats in either Light Space Grey or Black Onyx. Ambient multi-color lighting, power folding side view mirrors with heated glass, and a panoramic fixed-glass roof come standard with the Premium as well.

For this match-up, your best bet will be the Premium. The Select comes with some impressive standard features, but the additional advanced technology and convenience included with the Premium make it an excellent value. There is an increase in price, but remember that by purchasing an electric vehicle, you are eligible for special tax credits.

Compare the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium vs. California Route 1 Trim. What is the difference?

The next trim level, the California Route 1, is only available in RWD, and it only comes with the extended-range battery of 88 kWh with 290 horsepower. The EPA estimates that it can go for 300 miles before needing to be recharged. It comes with 18-inch high gloss, black-painted aluminum wheels.

The hands-free foot activated power lift gate, the heated front row seats, the heated steering wheel, and the ActiveX perforated seating options are not available with the California Route 1. It does, however, have the same panoramic fixed-glass roof found in the Premium. The 6-speaker stereo that comes standard with the California Route 1 is the same one found in the base level Select.

For this match-up, the Premium still wins out. Because it is available with both standard and extended-range batteries, as well as both RWD and eAWD, it gives drivers more options. The California Route 1 may have 300 mile capacity, but so does the Premium if equipped with the extended range battery and RWD. All of these things continue to make the Premium stand out amongst the other trim levels.

Compare the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 vs. First Edition. What is the difference?

The First Edition only comes with the extended range battery, and only in eAWD, and it kicks the horsepower up to 346. The EPA estimates that it can go 270 miles before needing to be recharged.

The First Edition has the heated passenger seats, the heated steering wheel, and the hands-free foot activated power lift gate that were not even options with the California Route 1. It also has the upgraded 9-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen that includes a subwoofer.

There are also additional options with seating, including perforated ActiveX Black Onyx upholstery with Red Line or Grabber Blue stitching. In addition, it comes with upgraded front door scuff plates that have the iconic Mustang pony graphic and First Edition lettering. This trim level comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels with high gloss black-painted pockets.

The California Route 1 only comes in RWD with an extended battery, and the First Edition only comes in eAWD with an extended battery, so this choice may come down to which powertrain a driver prefers. The First Edition, however, will probably win out for most people because of all of the standard features it offers. Although it comes in at a significantly higher price point, those electric vehicle tax credits may compensate for the difference.

Compare the Ford Mustang Mach-E First Edition vs. GT Trim Level. What is the difference?

The final trim level is the GT, and it is packed with performance capability. It comes in eAWD with an extended-range battery, and boasts horsepower of 480. The targeted EPA estimate is 250 miles, and it also comes in a GT Performance Edition which gets an estimated 235 miles.

Certain features that are standard in the First Edition are only optional add-ons with the GT. This includes the 360-degree camera with split view and a front washer, as well as the memory driver's seat and power folding mirrors. The Active Park Assist system and the Active Drive Assist Prep Kit are also optional. The GT is the only trim level that provides a black painted roof as an available add-on.

The GT is also the only trim level that offers ActiveX seating material with metallic stitching as an available option. Also, the panoramic fixed-glass roof does not come standard, and is only optional with the GT.

If you are specifically looking for an electric vehicle that is athletic and has the capacity for peak performance, then the GT is the perfect choice. If you, however, are looking for a more functional day-to-day vehicle that offers convenience, better mileage, and cutting-edge technology, then the First Edition is the better choice. If you were to add all of the features to the GT that come standard in the First Edition, you would be adding more cost onto the trim level with the highest price point.

Which Trim to Choose?

The 2021 Mustang Mach-E Premium is the best choice overall. It allows drivers to choose how they want it equipped, and the long list of technology, convenience, and comfort features make it stand out in an already impressive field. While the GT may provide ultimate levels of performance, most drivers will likely opt for for the more affordable Premium that still gives them all of the amenities they are looking for.