2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Pros: Dynamic styling and driving character; snappy acceleration from a stop; commendable driving range when properly equipped

Cons: Prices escalate when extended-range battery and all-wheel drive are added; so-so rear visibility; unconventional control layout requires acclimation

CG Says: Ford takes an ambitious step into the electric-vehicle market for 2021 with the introduction of the all-new Mustang Mach-E—a 5-passenger compact crossover SUV with a pure-electric powertrain. The Mach-E is Ford’s first regular-production vehicle that’s been designed from the ground up as an EV. Ford’s choice to use its beloved Mustang name on a four-door electric crossover SUV is an audacious one, but it clearly communicates the Mach-E has been designed as an emotionally engaging and invigorating performance vehicle as well as an eco-focused “green machine.” The Mustang Mach-E is available in different horsepower ratings, two battery capacities, and with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The estimated driving range varies depending on powertrain configuration, spanning from 211 miles with the Standard Range battery and all-wheel drive to 305 miles with the Extended Range battery and rear-wheel drive. Horsepower ranges from 266 up to 480 in the high-performance GT and GT Performance Edition that are due later in the model year. All versions have satisfying performance, with estimated 0-60 mph acceleration times ranging from 6.1 seconds to as low as 3.5 seconds in the GT Performance Edition. Despite the swoopy styling, the interior is respectable roomy for passengers and cargo; there’s 29.7 cubic feet of volume behind the back seat and 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seat backs folded. There is also a drainable 4.7-cubic-foot “frunk” storage area under the hood in front that can be used as a cooler. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, post-impact braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, evasive steering assist, intersection assist, blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, speed-limit sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. With the Mustang Mach-E, Ford is attempting to deliver the passenger and cargo versatility of an SUV, the fun-to-drive character of a sporty performance car, the eco-conscious credentials of a green vehicle, the driving range and charging convenience of a cutting-edge EV, and heritage-inspired styling that lives up to the legendary Mustang nameplate—all at prices that are accessible to a broad swath of new-vehicle customers. That’s a LOT of boxes to check off, and for the most part, Ford has managed to satisfy all of them. It’s not for traditionalists of any stripe, but the Mach-E seems poised to do its part to push electric vehicles further into the American mainstream.