Mustang Mach-E First Drive: Meet 2021’s Fourth-Best Mustang
We find the Mach-E is a fast, fun ride with the best rear-seating in the model’s history. But does it earn its iconic nameplate?
Spend a few hours with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E and you quickly learn three things. First, folks are genuinely excited to see Ford making an electric vehicle. EVs aren’t for everyone, of course. But here in a large California city that doesn’t fret crushing cold spells, they’re quite popular.
Second comes the controversy. Despite overall enthusiasm about the vehicle itself, half the folks we encounter loathe the idea of a four-door Mustang crossover, regardless of powertrain. They are allegedly open to the Mach-E name, mind you. Just not Ford using the iconic Mustang nameplate and pony badges.
And third, despite landing closer to Mustang rental car performance, the Mach-E is also genuinely fun to drive. Sporty steering. Quick acceleration. Generous braking. And nimble cornering despite our testers lacking a sport suspension and tires.
The Mustang Mach-E may not be for everyone, but as a second Mustang… Or in a world where I had to give up my Mustang to be a better father and husband… I’d probably buy the new Bronco. But since we’re only considering Mustangs, I’d buy a Mach-E all day long before considering a Mustang EcoBoost.
In other words, if you can’t get a Shelby GT500, Mach 1, or GT, the Mach-E is officially the fourth-best Mustang you can buy in 2021.
TEST VEHICLE SPECS
Over the course of four hours, we test drove two Mustang Mach-E Premiums, a trim level that includes:
- 19″ Alum Wheels w/ High Gloss Black
- Active Drive Assist Prep Kit
- Active Park Assist 2.0
- 360 Degree Camera
- Panoramic Fixed-Glass Roof
- Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate
- LED Projector Headlamps with Signature Lighting
- Heated Front Row Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- B&O 10-Speaker Sound System
- Memory Driver Seat & Power Folding Mirrors
The first, a $47,400 Rapid Red standard-range rear-wheel-drive Mach-E, we took out for a few quick laps on a small autocross course. Performance specs are as follows:
- Horsepower: 266 horsepower
- Torque: 317 lb.-ft. of torque
- Range: 230 miles
- 0-60mph: 5.8 seconds
The second, a $54,700 Iconic Silver Mach-E extended range, all-wheel-drive iteration — aka the Mach-E 4 X — we drove around the city. Here are its performance specs:
- Horsepower: 346
- Torque: 428 lb.-ft.
- Range: 270 miles
- 0-60mph: 4.8 seconds
With a $7,500 federal tax credit (plus any additional state tax credits), you’re looking at spending about the same amount as a Mustang GT, but without its chest-thumping power and exhaust note.