“How does it feel to drive the new Mustang Mach-E?” asked a passerby as I loaded my belongings into the rear seat of the four-door electric SUV. I paused for a few seconds while resting one hand on the door and summed it up in three words: It feels spectacular. “Oh yeah, how so?” he continued. The build quality, comfort, performance, technology, and styling are all impressive, I said. In due time, Ford is going to give Tesla a run for its money, I added. (Of course, it already has, in our extremely close recent comparison test between the two automakers.) The brief conversation took place in Palm Springs, an idyllic setting for an electric stallion in vibrant Rapid Red to roam the palm tree-lined streets emissions free. Just the night before, I had immersed myself in a thrilling night drive behind the wheel of our Mach-E test vehicle near the Port of Long Beach.
Previously, we tested an all-wheel-drive 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with the extended-range battery option. This test puts us in the driver’s seat of a rear-wheel-drive Mach-E with the Premium trim package. Our Mach-E has a standard-range 68-kWh battery pack that feeds power to a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle and a one-speed transmission that drives the rear wheels. This model generates 266 hp and 317 lb-ft and is good for an EPA-rated 230 miles of range on a charge.
Don’t Underestimate the Electric Pony
Charging and going on a long trip requires a bit more planning than filling at a gas station, but it’s not a huge inconvenience. For anyone thinking of making the transition to an electric-powered vehicle, you may want to consider the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The starting price is $43,995 before federal tax credits, state rebates, and available incentives.
Whether the Mach-E is a real Mustang or not is irrelevant. How confident do you feel driving it? Does it check all the boxes: safety, range, interior, styling, equipment, etc. These are the things that matter. Add its recent IIHS Top Safety Pick overall rating, and this midsize electric SUV is one not to be overlooked.
| SPECIFICATIONS | 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E |
| BASE PRICE | $43,995 |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $48,500 |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Rear-motor, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV |
| MOTOR | 266-hp/317-lb-ft AC Permanent magnet electric |
| TRANSMISSION | 1-speed automatic |
| CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) | 4,394 lb (48/52%) |
| WHEELBASE | 117.5 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 185.6 x 74.1 x 64.0 in |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.0 sec |
| QUARTER MILE | 14.6 sec @ 94.8 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 118 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.84 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT | 26.8 sec @ 0.65 g (avg) |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON | 105/93/100 mpg-e |
| ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY | 32/36 kWh/100 miles |
By: Erika Pizano
Title: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD First Test: A Very Cool Electric Pony
Sourced From: www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/mustang-mach-e/2021/2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-rwd-first-test-review/
Published Date: Wed, 12 May 2021 12:00:35 +0000
