2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Pros vs Cons

Some may be surprised that a Ford car with the Mustang name isn't a pure sports car. While the Mach-E takes some design elements from its namesake, it's actually a compact crossover SUV. It's also the first all-electric vehicle that Ford has produced in this class. It will be a unique blend of high performance and practical capabilities.

This is an exciting development for both the Ford Motor Company and for electric-car technology in general. It should be of interest to anyone looking for an all-electric vehicle. There are a number of great reasons to choose this car over the many other options out there today. There are also a few downsides to be aware of before you make your final decision.

What's New for 2021?

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-new offering from Ford for the upcoming model year. This marks a huge leap forward for Ford in its development of all-electric cars.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E – The Pros

1. It's All Electric

The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is Ford's first all-electric crossover vehicle. It's the perfect vehicle for anyone who wants to go green or just save some money on fuel. According to Ford, their Mustang Mach-E will have a driving range of up to 300 miles. This crossover will be available with a standard 75.7 kWh battery or a 98.8 kWh extended-range version. Both versions will feature fast-charging capabilities and include a mobile charger from the factory.

2. Massive Amounts of Horsepower and Torque

The Mustang Mach-E will offer plenty of horsepower and torque, making it worthy of the Mustang name. One of the great things about electric-powered cars is how much torque they can provide. This leads to amazing acceleration from a dead stop. The GT and Performance models will produce 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to get you from 0 to 60 miles-per-hour in just 3.5 seconds.

3. Excellent Steering and Handling

The steering and handling are excellent for the Mustang Mach-E. Steering has an accurate and sporty feel. Acceleration is powerful and braking is equally strong. With its crossover SUV body style, it's not completely free of body roll around corners, but it's not too bad either. The available all-wheel drive provides the best traction and overall handling.

4. A Smooth and Quiet Ride

The Mustang Mach-E provides a super smooth ride thanks to a fantastic suspension system. One of the perks of electric-powered cars is that they create no extreme noise or vibrations. This is true even of the more powerful electric powertrains. This makes the inside of the Mach-E a quiet place to be.

5. Attractive Exterior Styling

This is one sharp crossover SUV with an aggressive and sporty design. The exterior takes a lot of design cues from the classic Mustang muscle cars of the past. It's a unique blending of classic sports car and modern crossover. The Mach-E is both sporty and elegant.

6. A Comfortable Interior

Ford designed the Mustang Mach-E to be open with a lot of head and leg room. There are supportive and comfortable bucket seats up front with a cozy bench seat in back. The front seats are power adjustable and heating is available. Multi-color ambient lighting helps to set a relaxing mood. There are a lot of small-item storage locations. Wireless charging for all of your smart devices is available as well.

7. A Good Amount of Cargo Space

One of the perks of a crossover SUV is the extra cargo room without the hassles of a large vehicle. The Mustang Mach-E offers 29.7 square-feet of storage space behind the rear seats. This can be expanded up to 59.7 square feet by folding the rear seats down. There is also a small trunk space located under the hood in the front of the vehicle.

8. Ford's SYNC Infotainment System

The Mustang Mach-E will feature Ford's all-new SYNC 4A Infotainment system. This is an improvement over an already great setup. The system offers Enhanced Voice Recognition for easy, hands-free use of most features. Bluetooth Technology makes it easy to connect your smartphone to the system. A navigation system is included here as well.

When you do stream music or use the stereo, it will be coming through a premium sound system by Bang & Olufsen. There are 10 premium speakers in total here. The system is SiriusXM ready and compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

9. Modern Driver-Assist Technology

What would a high-tech electric vehicle be without some modern driver-assist technology? Ford Co-Pilot360 offers a whole suite of different advanced systems. There's a Lane-Keeping Assist and Active Park Assist 2.0. Advanced cameras and sensors even have speed-sign recognition and alert the driver when they go over the limit. The Blind-Spot Information System and Emergency Automatic Braking round out some of the more notable features here.

10. Nice Array of Safety Features

When it comes to standard safety features, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E comes loaded. There are dual-stage airbags up front for the driver and front passenger. Side airbags offer some extra protection as well. The driver gets an extra airbag around the knees. There are side-impact and side-curtain airbags for protection at all seating positions.

Ford's SOS Post-Crash Alert System kicks into gear automatically when there's an accident and an airbag has been deployed. This turns on the hazard lights, makes the headlights and taillights blink and intermittently honks the horn.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E – The Cons

1. Charging Stations Are Still Rare

There is always a downside to owning an all-electric vehicle. That's the fact that charging stations are still quite rare in most areas. You can have your own charging station professionally installed at your home by Ford. The portable charger that comes with every Mustang Mach-E will help with this situation a bit. It also helps that the Mustang Mach-E has a really large range of 300 miles before it needs recharging.

2. The Rear End May Lose Traction

The rear wheels sometimes seem to have trouble gripping the road. This is partly due to the high amounts of torque from an electric motor. Still, it's something that Ford needs to work out on future models. The problem is less prevalent on models with all-wheel drive.

3. It Takes Some Getting Used To

The throttle and braking feel much different than most cars when you're behind the wheel of a Mustang Mach-E. This will be an issue for anyone who is new to all-electric cars. If you are used to them, then this won't be an issue at all. Braking may feel too strong, and the throttle may feel a bit overly sensitive at first. This should go away with just a little time behind the wheel.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Tesla Model 3

If you look inside of the Mustang Mach-E and then check out a Tesla Model 3, you may think they were designed by the same person. Ford seems to have taken inspiration from the Tesla car. There are many similarities in the layout, but the Ford interior is actually nicer. The materials, fit and finish are all a step up from the Tesla, which may surprise some car enthusiasts.

The Ford is actually a bit more expensive than the Tesla, though the price ranges are comparable. Both vehicles have similar ranges before they need to be recharged. Tesla claims a 0-60 time that's just a fraction of a second faster than the Ford. The numbers are close enough to be basically negligible.

The safety features and driver-assist technology is similar like most other categories when comparing these two vehicles. The Ford offers more cargo space and therefore more utility. It also has the nicer infotainment system and audio setup. These things may the Ford a better purchase, if ever so slightly.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2021 Polestar 2

Another competitor to the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is the 2021 Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 comes in at a significantly higher starting price than the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Both are all-electrics with the Ford having a longer range. It offers 300 miles between charges while the Polestar only makes it to 275 miles. It's close, but the Ford wins out.

The Polestar 2 has an electric powertrain capable of producing 408 horsepower with 487 pound-feet of torque. Those are good numbers but fall short of what the Mustang Mach-E can do. The Ford has a 0-60 time that's over a second faster than the Polestar. The Mustang Mach-E and Polestar 2 each have all-wheel drive. Steering and handling may be a bit better in the Polestar 2.

Both vehicles have nice, comfortable interiors. The Polestar's is nicer, but this should be expected considering how much more expensive it it. The Ford's infotainment system, driver-assist technology and safety features, however, are all on par with or better than what Polestar has to offer. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the better value between these two vehicles.

Conclusion

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E represents something unique in Ford's upcoming lineup for next year. This is a vehicle that is well suited for those who like speed and high performance. It's also a practical crossover with plenty of room for your cargo and perhaps a whole family. The Mustang Mach-E is on the forefront of all-electric-car technology. Best of all, it's a solid electric vehicle that comes in at an affordable price.