Overview
The past and the future collide on the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which is inspired by the automaker’s unmistakable pony car and powered exclusively by electricity. Although it shares a name and familiar styling cues with the Mustang, the all-electric crossover otherwise is completely unrelated. With two available battery sizes and either rear- or all-wheel drive, Ford says the Mach-E can provide up to 300 miles of driving range. Its five-passenger cabin is fitted with contemporary features and cutting-edge infotainment options as well as some unique cargo and storage solutions. While purists might call an electric Mustang crossover sacrilegious, Ford expects the name and design adaptation to increase interest and help sell a lot of copies of the 2021 Mach-E.
What’s New for 2021?
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first all-electric crossover, and it was designed and named after the company’s iconic pony car. The Mach-E also pays homage to the “Mach 1” moniker that has been used on high-performance Mustangs of old. Ford said it went with the name because it needed the electrified crossover to be as desirable as a Tesla to usher in its new era of electric vehicles.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
When the 2021 Mustang Mach-E finally goes on sale, we’d choose the Premium model. It’s expected to provide 300 miles of driving range when paired with the extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive, but we’d still choose the all-wheel-drive version, which knocks its estimated range down to 270 miles. Compared with the base model, the Mach-E Premium has more powerful fast-charging capability, 19-inch wheels, a Band & Olufsen sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is available with either a standard-range (75.7 kWh) battery or an extended-range (98.8 kWh) pack. These feed an electric motor mounted on the rear or both axles. That latter combination creates all-wheel drive and on the sporty GT and GT Performance models, the motors combine to make 480 horsepower and up to 634 lb-ft of torque. Ford claims this will send the Mach-E GT Performance from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Less powerful models make between 255 and 332 horses and between 306 and 417 lb-ft. The Mach-E rides on wheels that range in size from 18 to 20 inches, and it can be had with adaptive dampers for adjustable ride firmness. Now that we’ve driven an extended-range, all-wheel-drive model, we’re happy to report that it’s quick and better to drive than most ordinary crossovers. However, drivers shouldn’t expect the Mach-E to be nearly as engaging as the traditional Mustang. Its quiet operation and super-smooth ride were most impressive.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E has an EPA-estimated range of between 210 and 300 miles, depending on the battery pack and type of electric motors. Every model also has fast-charging capability. Every Mach-E comes out of the box with a Ford mobile charger that can add up to 30 miles of range per night with a 120-volt outlet and up to 80 percent of battery life overnight with a 240-volt outlet. A Ford charge station can also be ordered online and installed by certified electricians, with the ability to replenish 32 miles per hour and recharge the battery overnight.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The range-topping Mustang Mach-E with rear-wheel drive and the extended range battery boasts an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. The all-wheel-drive version with the extended battery has an estimated driving range of 210 miles. However, there are a wider variety of ranges depending on the model and equipment, so we won’t know its real-world efficiency until we can run one on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Mustang Mach-E’s battery is located under the floor of the car, which allows for maximum cargo and passenger space. Unlike its exterior, the inside of the Mach-E has little in common with the regular Mustang. Its streamlined dashboard hosts an attractive digital gauge cluster and is dominated by a huge vertically mounted touchscreen. A floating, flip-up armrest on the center console allows a purse or other items to be stored between the front-seat passengers. There are also many slick features that include customizable ambient interior lighting, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, and more. The front trunk is made of durable plastics that can be rinsed and then drained, which allows storing ice and messy things. The Mach-E has 29 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and up to 60 with the back seats folded.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Ford’s next-generation SYNC infotainment system uses machine learning to fully customize each driver’s experience—currently it supports three driver profiles and one guest. The 2021 Mustang Mach-E runs the software through a vertically mounted 15.5-inch touchscreen that allows for easy access to the system’s array of apps and features. A benefit of the system is that Ford will roll out over-the-air updates over time, constantly improving the system and adding new content. Top features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E hasn’t been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the EV SUV is available with a wide array of driver-assistance technology. Key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford’s current limited and powertrain warranty are competitive albeit unspectacular. We also expect the company to cover the Mach-E’s electrical components for eight years or 100,000 miles, but complimentary maintenance isn’t included.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Electric components covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
