The big car brands are finally starting to react to Tesla's offensive. Last month it was Ford's turn to go to the game, presenting at the Los Angeles Motor Show its first 100% electric developed from scratch: the Ford Mustang Mach-E — full article here.
An answer that comes at a time when the Tesla Model 3 — alone! — is worth more than 60% of US electrical sales. Therefore, there is a 40% quota left to share with the other models. Quota where, once again, Tesla has another important market share with Model S and Model X.
Tesla undeniably dominates the electric vehicle (EV) market, and that doesn't appeal to many brands. Even if in global terms, the sale of trams still represent less than 2% of the car market worldwide.
Ford Mustang Mach-E. All in!
Ford doesn't want to keep losing ground. And apparently, Ford went all in on the Mustang Mach-E. As they say in games of chance: you played all your chips. Have you studied the competition? Check. Did you get a big name? Check. Did you bet on the design? Check. And so on.
The pony car family has just grown, with a… electric SUV
We believe that some similarities with the Tesla Model Y are not mere coincidence. That's why we decided to put the technical data of the Ford Mustang Mach-E in direct comparison with the Tesla Model Y. In the next lines, let's confront them!
Style follows different paths
Mustang Mach-E and Model Y target the same audience but follow distinct paths in terms of style.
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On the one hand, we have Tesla Model Y, which bets on a simpler design, with few elements, following the line of the Tesla Model 3. A model that, moreover, Tesla launched with the assumption of massifying access to electric cars.
On the other side we have the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which uses the identity of one of the most iconic models in the automobile industry: the Ford Mustang. Which one will win in this particular? We do not know. Opinions are divided on the design of the two models.
There are those who accuse the Tesla Model Y of having the wrong proportions. A kind of “blown” version of the Model 3, with little identity. Across the ring, we have the Mustang Mach-E design that many accuse of over-appropriating and misrepresenting an iconic Ford Mustang.
In this regard, the paths could not have been more distinct. The Model Y has a design that bets on modernity, the Mach-E bets everything on a design that is recognized in the four corners of the world.
Which one do you prefer? Leave your opinion in the comments box
Mustang Mach-E imitates Tesla Model Y
Different on the outside, very similar on the inside. Inside, the similarity between the two models is more noticeable, as in both they use huge touch screens in the center of a console where apparently the physical buttons were declared “public enemies”.
On the Tesla Model Y, the 15″ screen is positioned horizontally and lets you control every feature — even every feature! — including the air conditioning and the instrument panel.
Ford looked inside the Tesla Model Y and said, "we want that too." And so it was… we entered the Ford Mustang Mach-E and found a 15.5″ screen but positioned vertically.
But unlike Tesla, Ford has decided to keep a 100% digital quadrant at the front of the wheel and there are still some physical controls. A solution that most traditional customers will surely like.
electric war
Balance seems to be the watchword. In mechanical terms, the two models use very similar solutions, with battery packs of similar capacity, which naturally result in almost equal autonomy.
An equality that is maintained in terms of price, taking into account the values announced for the USA.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Select is offered for $43,900 (€39,571) in its base version, while Tesla is asking for its Model Y $43,000 (€38,760). In terms of autonomy, both offer exactly the same value: 370 km.
As for cargo volume, again very close numbers: 1687 liters for the Ford, 1868 liters for the Tesla (with seats folded down). That is, a lot!
In terms of accelerations, unsurprisingly, the values once again practically dictate a technical draw. Mach-E advertises 5.5 seconds from 0-96 km/h and Model Y 5.9 seconds in the same exercise, for access versions.
| Mustang Mach-E | Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Drums | 75.5 kWh to 98.8 kWh | N/A |
| power | 255 hp to 465 hp | N/A |
| Binary | 414 Nm to 830 Nm | N/A |
| Autonomy (WLTP estimate) | 450 km to 600 km | 480 km to 540 km |
| Traction | Rear / Full | Rear / Full |
| 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) | ~3.5s - 6.5s | 3.5s - 5.9s |
| Vel. Max. | N/A | 209 km/h to 241 km/h |
| Price (USA) | €39,750 to €54,786 | €43 467 to €55 239 |
In versions with greater autonomy, prices differ a little more. Ford asks for US$50,600 (€45,610) and Tesla asks for US$48,000 (€43,270). The announced autonomy estimated by the two models is the same: 482 km according to the EPA cycle (the American equivalent of the WLTP cycle, but even more demanding).
In higher performance versions, the advantage smiles slightly on Ford. The blue oval brand proposes the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT for $60,500 (€54,786), while the Tesla Model Y Perfomance costs $61,000 (€55,239).
Turning attention to accelerations, a new technical draw: the two models advertise around 3.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h, thanks to the power of the electric motors, which must exceed 450 hp.
Where the Tesla Model Y Perfomance gains the upper hand over the Mustang Mach-E GT is in range. 450 km against 402 km , according to the EPA cycle.
Ford Mustang Mach-E at an advantage?
With such similar technical sheets, one of the main tiebreakers will be the audience's preference in terms of aesthetics.
Will the more futuristic lines of the Model Y take advantage of the revival and historical value of Mustang's aesthetic language? Only time will tell.
For now, Tesla remains at an advantage, in a market segment where the first committed responses from the major world builders are just beginning to emerge. Leave us your opinion in the comments box.