Introduced slightly more than two years ago, The Ford Mustang Mach-E, a battery-electric compact crossover SUV, went on sale a year later to a resounding, universal reaction — that’s a Mustang?
Mustang purists scoffed at the 2021 debut model describing it as automotive sacrilege. Other car buyers viewed the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) as innovative — what’s this new Mustang all about?
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2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: It’s Different
Ford viewed its new vehicle with its Mustang nameplate, Mustang identifiers and a Mach-E moniker as a way to differentiate itself from other EV newbies. It’s succeeded.
Ford’s first fully-electric crossover SUV offers good looks, comfort, performance and economy. It’s just a Mustang of another breed.
The rear-wheel-drive Mach-E with a standard 68 kWh battery can travel 230 miles before charging. The all-wheel-drive draws more energy and has a 211-mile. The rear-drive Mach-E with the 88 kWh extended-range battery has a top range limit. It’s 300 miles with rear-wheel drive charge, 270 miles with all-wheel drive. The high-performance GT manages 250 miles (235 miles with the Performance Edition).
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Five Trims Available
With AWD, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has a range of 211 miles, and it’s rated by the EPA at 100 MPGe city/86 MPGe highway/93 MPGe combined. With the extended-range battery, the AWD Mustang Mach-E has a range of 270 miles. It’s rated by the EPA at 96 MPGe city/84 MPGe highway/90 MPGe combined.
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E advances on a new EV architecture where the lithium-ion battery cells ride beneath the floor in a skateboard-type design. It’s available in five trims including the reviewed GT model with all-wheel drive with an MSRP of $59,900.
Beyond its EV status, the Mach-E, named after the variant of the first-generation Mustang, is designed with a futurist’s creativity. The exterior features a sculpted hood and fender peaks. Driving the crossover feels sporty, with an interior freshness in appearance and comfort. The vehicle rides lower than might be expected, providing an enticement for drivers who appreciate driving.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Three Drive Modes
The new Mustang joins other manufacturers (notably Tesla) with a jumbo-sized (15.5-inch) vertically positioned navigation screen. Its functions are efficient and intuitive, offering an at-ease sense of technology. The setup looks hi-tech but it’s a quick learn.
Uniquely named driving modes (Unbridled, Engage, Whisper) offer myriad attributes — a throaty growl to a daily-drive, lighter steering choice. The Mach-E has an off or on faux sound and the engagement of optional one-pedal driving. It engages when a driver removes their foot from the accelerator and the vehicle stops without applying the brakes. It’s an unusual yet comfortable feeling.
The GT trim features MagneRide dampers and 20-inch Pirelli summer tires. The result: acceleration from 0-to-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The standard GT will deliver 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. The Performance Edition is rated at 634 lb-ft of torque.
Aside from increased power, GT models will come with Brembo brakes, a unique lower facia with a splitter, sport seats with copper metallic stitching and aluminum interior trim.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Good Tech
A modern-looking car needs its technology and connectivity. The Mach-E features LED signature lights, Ford’s E-Latch electronic doors, FordPass Connect that allows your phone to act as a key, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi connectivity and USB ports in the front and back.
The optional 10-speaker B&O sound system has a superior sound. There’s no loss of acoustics with the car’s optional panoramic fixed glass roof.
The Mace-E has 38.1 inches of rear-seat legroom, good for taller riders. With the seats folded down, there’s nearly 60-feet of cubic space.
Doomsayers may think the newly named Mustang doesn’t belong, but the carmaker made a smart move. The Mustang is iconic (it debuted in 1964). The current traditional Mustang resembles its long-gone ancestors. But how similar are muscle cars with nearly 60 years of age difference?
With all options included, the 2021 Mustang Mach-E is priced at $69,600. There’s plenty of open road left for new and old Mustangs.
(The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is eligible for a $7,500 federal EV rebate. It’s also eligible for an additional rebates in selected states.)
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Article Last Updated: January 26, 2022.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
