Ford revolutionized mobility more than a century ago when it brought the horseless carriage to the masses. Breaking the mold of the internal combustion engine (ICE) with its first expansion of the Mustang line in 56 years, the automaker aims to ride the wave of transformation toward electrification. Gone is the throaty growl of the V8 ICE engine and, in its wake, a brand-redefining luxury ride that's smooth and quiet, a hallmark of the electric motor, with a performance worthy of the Mustang logo. Plus, the next-generation Ford Sync infotainment system shows how far the company has come in its connected car capabilities. Ford isn't a one-trick pony, and the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E proves it, winning the Editors' Choice award.
Available in five versions: Select, California Route 1, Premium, GT, and First Edition, the Ford Mustang Mach-E offers various battery and electric motor configurations. All trim levels have an 88 kWh battery pack and two electric motors to all four wheels.
All also come with a 120-volt or 240-volt portable charging cord and DC fast-charging capability. The DC fast charger maxes out at 150 kilowatts and increases 52 miles of range in 10 minutes. For example, we tested the Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium can charge your battery from 10% to 80% in 45 minutes.
Ford's charging network of 13,500 third-party stations is accessible via the company's app. When the payment information is preloaded in the app, the car begins charging seconds after plugging in at stations that support the Plug & Charge protocol. The bundled Ford Mobile Charger may offer an estimated average range of 20 miles per hour of charging on a 240V outlet. Furthermore, Ford has collaborated with Amazon to provide in-home installation by a professional electrician.
Cargo aside, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E comes standard with 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition with access to a smartphone, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a rear seat folding with 60/40 split and simulated leather upholstery. Standard technology includes a digital instrument panel, 15.5-inch touchscreen with Ford's next-generation Sync 4A infotainment interface, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, remote navigation, monitoring, and control via a smartphone app, wireless charging for smartphones, and a six-speaker audio system. In addition, Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features comes standard on all models.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Select model starts at $42,895 and is available in 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, 266 horsepower, and 428 pound-feet of torque.
The California Route 1 version retails for $ 49,800 and adds an extended range battery with RWD that exceeds 300 miles of range, 290 hp, and 317 lb-ft. of torque. This trim adds black-painted wheels and exterior trim, power-folding mirrors, a fixed panoramic glass roof, a cargo cover, an automatic parking system, memory settings for the driver's seat, and a surround-view camera.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium version starts at $47,000 and comes with three battery options: standard range, extended range with RWD, and AWD with an extended range pack that reduces the range to 270 miles but adds 346 horsepower and 428 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition to the above, the pre-production premium equipment we tested included 19-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, sound-insulating front windows, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a steering wheel, and heated front seats, interior mood lighting, and a nine-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The First Edition model, which is already sold out, is similar to the Premium AWD model.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT version costs $ 60,500 and comes with an extended range battery, AWD, 480 horsepower, 600 lb-ft of torque, and 250 miles. A Performance Edition adds 34 lb.-ft. of torque and comes with a MagneRide damping system, performance seats, and 20-inch Pirelli tires.
Another distinguishing feature of the Mach-E is the level of convenience and technology available on all variants. Just as the original Ford Sync established industry standards, this current version sets expectations for software-defined vehicles and how they interact with the larger mobility ecosystem. All software upgrades will be delivered over the air (OTA) to improve vehicle performance, give maintenance updates, and, starting this autumn, activate Ford's Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 hands-free semi-automatic driving system for higher models.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is eligible for a $7,500 tax incentive (in Spain), making it one of the less expensive alternatives than the Audi e-tron, Tesla Model Y, Volvo Polestar 2, and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E comes standard with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and, like its Model Y counterpart, a 15.5-inch touchscreen located above the center console. The touchscreen interface of Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system is simple to use, although there are some tactile controls, such as a volume knob.
The menus are simple, with a shortcut bar that changes as the system learns your preferences. The onboard navigation system in Ford vehicles is both practical and feature-rich. The front console also holds a wireless charging station for cellphones, in addition to the four USB connections, two on the front and two on the rear.
Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Centering, Rear Parking Sensors with Automatic Braking, and a Driving Camera are all part of Ford's Co-Pilot360 driver assistance feature package.
The Premium trim's Bang & Olufsen sound system sounds fantastic and is flawlessly incorporated into the front, positioned above the air vents like a soundbar.
On Mach-E, the digital key for a smartphone makes its debut. With Bluetooth, the car can detect your smartphone as you approach, unlocking the doors and allowing you to drive without having to pull out your phone or use a key fob. If your phone is not switched on or is not turned on, there is also a keypad on the B-pillar and a key fob.
The Ford app delivers information and features like charge status, travel planning that emphasizes battery level and accessible charging stations, and the ability to raise the windows or tailgate.
The jury is still out on button-operated doors, which offer modest flare and prolong the outside line but need some getting used to while entering and exiting the car. The front trunk storage compartment is another one-of-a-kind feature. The frunk has 4.8 cubic feet of storage space and can be filled with ice and drinks.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD system we tested distributes power to the front and rear axles instantaneously for acceleration and fun in corner grip. We engaged a deceleration mode for descending steep slopes by pressing the L position on the gear shift.
The strong battery, which is situated on the vehicle's floor between the two axles, delivers gravity grip results on asphalt and provides a base package of 68 kWh of 230 miles for RWD and 211 miles for AWD Mach-Es. While Mach-mix E's of friction and regeneration brakes has numerous flaws, the pedal operation is seamless. When regeneration is combined with sportier handling and exciting performance, the Mach-E gives a real Mustang experience.
Ford's GT version aims at 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, making it quicker than a Porsche Macan Turbo for purists who forego the more conventional attributes of the vintage Mustang. Meanwhile, the GT Performance Edition is designed to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The Mustang brand is well-known worldwide, but coupes are not for sale outside of American males. Crossovers occur. The Mach-potential E's market is significantly larger, and refining the Mustang brand is a great move. We like Ford's ability to broaden the definition of power beyond testosterone by adding today's linked electrical realities.
The Mustang's aura of freedom, progress, and performance is restored in a solid electric future with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. It also includes cutting-edge technologies, including OTA updates and machine learning, which help to improve the car and the driver experience.
