EV enthusiasts are going to have a variety of electric vehicles to choose from as more automobile manufacturers bring new models to market. The latest type of EV that increasing in popularity is the compact crossover. Both the Tesla Model Y and the Ford Mach-E are competing in this space, but how do these models compare when it comes to range, performance, features, and pricing? Although the vehicles can be customized to order, we’ll look at the models as they come off the factory floor without consumer add-ons.
Range and Charging
Ford has two models for the Mach-E: standard range (SR) and extended range (ER). The Standard Range has an EPA-rated 230 miles range with rear-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive with a range of 210 miles. The Extended Range rear-wheel drive has an estimated range of 305 miles and the all-wheel drive in this model has about 270 miles.
Tesla’s 2021 Model Y has an all-wheel drive Long Range and Performance variant. The Long Range offers a 326 mile range while the Performance has a range of 303 miles. The US carmaker is no longer going to offer a Standard Range in this model. When it comes to charging up the cars, you’ll be able to get 168 miles of range within 15 minutes when using the Long Range EV on the Tesla Supercharger network. For the Ford Mach-E, the best case scenario is getting 186 miles for 30 minutes of charging using 150kW when the battery charges from 20%-80%.
With all EV charging, it can differ depending on outside temperatures and the condition of the battery.
Acceleration
The Tesla Model Y Long Range can zip from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The fastest Ford Mach-E model that comes close to this is the all-wheel drive Extended Range EV that accelerates 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
Style and Space
The Tesla Model Y and Ford Mach-E are almost comparable in size but the different brands have made different decisions on how best to utilize space. The Model Y has a ‘taller’ roof with a simple but sophisticated exterior design. The Mach-E has taken a distinctive approach with its rear fenders flared rear and sculpted design using creases and curves.
Going inside the cars, the Mustang has a large vertical touch screen and a smaller horizontal gauge screen. The dashboard is low with climate vents pressed into a thin beltline with other controls. The Model Y interior is clean and simple, mostly free of buttons and controls as it uses the infotainment for management. The all-glass roof gives a spacious and airy ambience to the car’s cabin.
Tesla Model Y Interior
In terms of space, the Mach-E has less rear seating space than the Tesla Model Y and its cargo space is 59.6 cubic feet compared to the 66 cubic feet for the Model Y.
Ford Mach-E Rear
Driver Assistance
Both vehicles have driving assisted software but Tesla is ahead of the game in its development of self-driving features compared to other EVs. Ford has Active Drive Assist that is expected to be updated to its newer, more advanced BlueCruise that is due to come to market later this year as an over-the-air software update to selected models. Tesla also offers unique features such as Smart Summon.
Last, but not least: Pricing
Tesla’s price range is between $46,190 and $55,190 for the base Model Y Long Range and Performance variants. The Mach-E starts at $42,895 and goes up to $59,000 for the higher-end model.
What stands Tesla in good stead is that it is an established EV manufacturer with years of experience under its belt. Ford has been a household name for decades and its reputation in gas-powered vehicles are second to none. But as Ford extends its arms in electrification transport, we’ll have to wait and see how consumers react and how sales will stack up against Tesla.
