When it was first announced, the all-electric Mustang Mach-E drew controversy for its name. The design didn’t have much in common with previous Mustangs or the Mach 1 line. However, some saw it as a bold move and, more than that, an important step forward.
The Mach-E is Ford’s most recent foray into the EV market and the company’s first EV since the discontinuation of the Ford Focus Electric. Along with the all-electric F-150, the Mach-E is central to Ford’s current plans to make EVs a primary fixture of the company’s lineup.
Despite the initial controversy and early issues with the car’s software, the auto industry has already praised the Mach-E. It even landed the 2020 North American SUV of the Year award. Interested in learning more?
Here are the key specs and features of the Mustang Mach-E — as well as how the car compares to other new EVs currently on the market.
Trim levels, battery and electric motor
Four trims are available — the base Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT. The Select is the cheapest trim, with an MSRP of $43,995. The GT is the most expensive, with a sticker price of $61,600.
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There are two available battery pack sizes — a standard range for the Select trim and an extended one for Premium and higher trims. With the standard battery back, the Mach-E has an EPA-estimated range of around 230 miles. The extended-range pack provides a significant upgrade that allows the Mach-E to travel up to 300 miles on a single charge. This is comparable with other high-range EVs currently on the market.
The Mach-E is outperformed by the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Tesla Model Y Long Range, which manage 353 miles and 326 miles, respectively. However, it beats the Hyundai Kona Electric, Porsche Taycan 4S, Audi e-tron, and most other currently available EVs.
Every model has fast-charging capabilities. Ford also provides a mobile charger with each Mach-E. It can provide batteries with an extra 30 miles of range per night with a Level 1 charging station (or 120-volt outlet) or up to 80% of the battery’s total capacity with a Level 2 charging station (or 240-volt outlet).
The battery pack feeds an electric motor that is mounted on either the rear or both axles. With the rear-wheel-drive option, the extended-range battery pack also provides more power. This results in a slight horsepower boost — up to 290 with rear-wheel drive from 266 with the standard-range package.
If the motor is mounted on both axles, the Mach-E is all-wheel drive and gets 480 horsepower. This is enough to send the Mach-E from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, according to Ford’s vehicle specifications.
Independent tests suggest that the 0-60 acceleration time is a bit slower. Car and Driver testing found that it took 5.1 seconds for the Mach-E to hit this mark with all-wheel drive and the extended battery.
This means that the Mach-E will be quicker to accelerate than most crossovers, but still not as fast as comparable coupes. For example, the 2021 Mustang Mach 1will have an 0-60 time closer to 4.2 seconds.
The added power of the all-wheel-drive option will also cut down on the Mach-E’s single-charge range. With all-wheel drive and the extended-range battery, the Mach-E has a range of just 270 miles, compared to the 300 that the rear-wheel-only drive and extended-range battery combination offer.
Interior and infotainment system
The car’s five-passenger cabin is outfitted with a range of features, including heated front seats and steering wheel, a digital gauge cluster, panoramic fixed-glass roof, and a good amount of cargo space. There are 29 cubic feet behind the rear seats — up to 60 when folded down.
Like many modern EVs, the Mach-E has an infotainment system with a large touch-screen monitor. It’s oriented vertically and measures 15.5 inches — half an inch larger than the infotainment monitor on the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. It allows for managing the car’s GPS navigation, radio, Bluetooth calling, and climate control.
The infotainment system is also compatible with Apple CarPlay, enabling drivers and occupants to use a portion of the touch screen to control an iPhone or other Apple device.
Safety features
In addition to standard safety features — anti-lock brakes, front, side, knee, and overhead airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners — the Mach-E also comes with several advanced features. The car’s E-Latch door system allows for one-touch entry with a key fob or cellphone. It automatically locks the car’s doors once all occupants have left.
Additionally, the EV includes adaptive cruise control that restarts from a stop. This is a good feature to have if you need to make multiple stops on your journey, as it can get you back on the road and up to speed in no time.
The Mach-E also includes Ford’s driving assistance system, the Co-Pilot 360 2.0 with Active Drive Assist, which is expected to launch in mid-2021. This system allows for hands-free driving on certain divided highways. It features a range of safety features, including auto high beams, a reverse brake assist, and a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alerts.
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The system isn’t fully self-driving, though. It requires drivers to watch the road and monitors their attentiveness with a driver-facing camera. This system works on any street with lane lines.
How the Mustang Mach-E compares to other modern EVs
The Mustang Mach-E is a five-door crossover that doesn’t bear much resemblance to its near-namesake, the Mustang Mach 1. Even so, consumers should expect more of the same from the Mustang line in the future. They’re gearing up to produce high-end electric vehicles that can compete with other luxury EVs, like those manufactured by Tesla. This is a car that will certainly make its own path as it navigates its place in the market.
Photo credit: All images are owned by Ford and were provided as part of a press kit.
Source: Ford press release and specification data / David Havasi (CleanTechnica) / Connor Hoffman (Car and Driver) / James Riswick (Auto Blog)
