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2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Starting at $43,995

9.5/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2021 ford mustang mach e 4 front
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
9.5/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Attention-grabbing design, handsome and hushed cabin, instantaneous acceleration.
  • Lows Not particularly engaging to drive, most range ratings are modest, Mustang purists will miss the V-8 traits.
  • Verdict While it doesn't drive or sound like Ford's pony car, the Mustang Mach-E is an accessible and stylish EV.
By Eric Stafford

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 305 miles of driving range, which helped it earn an Editors' Choice award and our first ever EV of the Year award. 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.

ev of the year

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

We think the Premium model is the Mach-E to get. It's rated at 305 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 Bang & Olufsen sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is available with either a standard-range 75.7 kWh (68 of which are usable) battery or an extended-range 98.8 kWh (88 are usable) 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 pound-feet of torque. Ford claims this will send the Mach-E GT Performance from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds; the version we tested took 3.7 ticks. Less powerful models make between 266 and 346 horses and between 317 and 428 pound-feet. 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.

2021 ford mustang mach e 4 rearView Photos
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The 2021 Mustang Mach-E has an EPA-estimated range of between 211 and 305 miles, depending on the battery pack and type of electric motors, which isn't nearly as impressive as the rangiest Tesla models. 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.

2021 ford mustang mach e 4 charging portView Photos
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The range-topping Mustang Mach-E with rear-wheel drive and the extended range battery boasts an EPA-estimated range of 305 miles. The all-wheel-drive version with the extended battery has an estimated driving range of 270 miles. The Mach-E we tested on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, went 250 miles on a single charge. For more information about the Mustang Mach-E's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

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.

2021 ford mustang mach e 4 interiorView Photos
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

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 is available with a wide array of driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Mach-E's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. 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
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Specifications

Specifications

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E 4

VEHICLE TYPE
front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED
$56,200 (base price: $46,695)

MOTORS
2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC; combined output, 346 hp, 428 lb-ft; 88.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack

TRANSMISSIONS
2 direct-drives

CHASSIS
Brakes (F/R): 14.3-in vented disc/12.4-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy A/S, 225/55R-19 103H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.5 in
Length: 185.6 in
Width: 74.1 in
Height: 64.0 in
Passenger volume: 104 ft3
Cargo volume: 35 ft3
Curb weight: 4856 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.1 sec
100 mph: 13.5 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.0 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.8 sec
1/4 mile: 13.8 sec @ 101 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 114 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.85 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 60 MPGe

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 90/96/84 MPGe
Range: 270 mi 

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E4X GT Performance Edition
Vehicle Type: front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,000/$70,040
Options: Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0, $1900; panoramic roof, $1300; interior protection package, $240

ENGINE
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Combined Power: 480 hp
Combined Torque: 634 lb-ft
Battery Pack: 88.0-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion
Transmissions: direct-drives

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.2-in vented disc/12.4-in disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Elect
245/45R-20 103Y

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.5 in
Length: 186.7 in
Width: 74.1 in
Height: 63.5 in
Passenger Volume: 106 ft3
Cargo Volume, F/R: 5/30 ft3
Curb Weight: 5001 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.7 sec
100 mph: 12.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.7 sec @ 101 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.2 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 310 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.92 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 65 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 74 MPGe
Highway Range: 220 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 82/88/75 MPGe

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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