2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. 2021 Tesla Model Y

Over the course of 2020, Tesla has become the world’s most valuable car company and its flamboyant CEO Elon Musk is now the second-richest person on the globe. Tesla is of course the most successful maker of electric vehicles on earth, and one of the reasons for its continued and growing prosperity is its smallest and most affordable SUV, the Model Y. It debuted in 2019 to rave reviews and is considered one of the best luxury EVs available.

The new Mustang Mach-E isn’t Ford’s first all-electric model, but it’s by far the automaker’s best. Don’t let the Mustang name fool you — like the Model Y, the Mach-E is a small SUV. And after many months of anticipation, it’s finally hitting the market, taking on the Tesla Model Y head-on. But which is best? Let’s examine the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E and 2021 Tesla Model Y in key areas and decide.

Designed and built in California, the Tesla Model Y looks like a cross between the brand’s Model 3 sedan and its larger Model X SUV. Basically, it looks like every other Tesla. It’s undeniably handsome, but some of us are waiting for the brand to introduce some fresh design language. On the road, it’s easy to mistake the Model Y for another Tesla model.

Designed in Michigan and built in Mexico, the Mustang Mach-E looks like a cross between the brand’s legendary Mustang muscle car and its small SUVs like the Escape. It turns heads and seems to impress teenagers, who freely offer compliments like, “Cool car, mister.” Overall, the Ford’s exterior design feels fresh and more youthful than the Tesla’s. Maybe it’s the Mustang-inspired badging and musclecar-like proportions. 

Winner: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford has managed to match the Tesla’s comfort. Both SUVs have supportive seats, quiet interiors, and agreeable rides. Their suspensions are firm, but not too stiff. The Tesla is the more spacious of the two, however, with considerably more head and legroom up front and in the back seat, which is surprising since the Ford has the longer wheelbase. This year, Tesla is also offering an optional third row of seats for $3,000, a feature not offered in the Mustang Mach-E.

The Model Y also offers more cargo space. Ford says the Mach-E has 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.7 cubic feet with its rear seat folded flat. Tesla doesn’t say how much space is behind the Y’s rear seat but says there’s 68 cubic feet of space with its rear seats folded. Both vehicles also have a front trunk, or frunk, and they’re about the same size.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Tesla’s infotainment system has been the standard of the industry for nearly a decade. In this category, all the other automakers are still fighting for second place. From the size of its touchscreens to the speed of its response and the system’s connectivity, it’s without question the state of the art. Although we prefer the vertical screens found in the Model S and Model X, the 15-inch horizontal screen in the Model Y works extremely well.

The infotainment system in the Mustang Mach-E is an extremely close second place. Its vertically mounted touchscreen is a massive 15.5 inches, and its navigation and other functions are intuitive to use. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and onboard wi-fi are standard. The system is quick to respond, but it’s still slower than the Tesla’s and its graphics aren’t quite as well organized, which keeps behind the Model Y in this category.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Neither of these two SUVs has been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That said, According to Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, the Model Y shares about 75 percent of its components with the Model 3, and that sedan earned a Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS.

Standard safety equipment on the Model Y includes all-wheel drive, automated emergency braking, a lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode. The Mustang Mach-E is also available with a long list of safety tech, including a forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is also available.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Two versions of the Model Y are available, both with all-wheel drive and two electric motors. Tesla has promised a rear-wheel-drive Standard Range model, which should have a lower base price. The company doesn’t quote the output of its powertrains, but the base model, called the Long Range, packs quite a punch, blasting to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The even more powerful Performance model gets there in just 3.5 seconds, which is crazy quick.

Ford offers more variations of the Mustang Mach-E. It’s available in five trim levels with either a standard-range battery pack or an extended-range unit supplying power to either one or two electric motors. Output ranges from 266 horsepower on the base Select and Premium models to 480 hp on the GT and GT Performance. The less-powerful models hit 60 mph between 4.8 and 6.1 seconds depending on the trim level and the size of its batteries. All-wheel drive models are quickest. Ford claims the GT hits 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, and the GT Performance matches the Tesla’s 3.5-second sprint.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

The efficiency and battery range of Tesla’s powertrains continues to lead the industry, and the Model Y delivers the longest range numbers of any electric SUV except for its larger brother, the Model X. The Model Y Long Range offers an estimated 326 miles of range, while the much more powerful Performance model delivers 303 miles of range. Tesla also offers its customers exclusive access to its network of fast chargers located all around the country. The company says there are more than 16,000 Superchargers in more than 1,800 locations.

According to the EPA, the Mustang Mach-E is capable of being driven 211, 230, 250, 270, or 305 miles on a full charge, depending on its trim level, the size of its battery pack, type of electric motors, and other factors. While those ratings are enough for most buyers with typical commutes and daily travels, it’s still less range than you get in the Tesla. The Mach-E is compatible with fast chargers from brands like ChargePoint. 

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Both of these SUVs offer sport-sedan handling to go along with their strong acceleration. Both can be fun to drive on a twisty road. Although the Tesla feels smaller and lighter from behind the wheel, it’s the Ford that’s a bit more fun to toss around. It’s very engaging to drive, with impressive amounts of grip and a well-balanced chassis. That said, buyers shouldn't expect the Mach-E to be nearly as entertaining as the traditional Mustang.

Some buyers may be surprised by the firmness of these vehicles’ suspensions. Both SUVs are comfortable in the city and out on the highway, but you certainly feel the road, especially in the Tesla.

Winner: Ford Mustang Mach-E

With a base price right around $51,000, including a $1,200 destination fee, the Model Y Long Range costs considerably more than Ford. For an additional $10,000 you can step up to the Performance. Remember, both come with standard all-wheel drive, and they beat the Mustang Mach-E when it comes to range and off-the-line performance.

With rear-wheel drive, Mustang Mach-E prices start right around $44,000, including $1,100 for destination and delivery. The Premium model costs about $4,000 more. AWD costs extra. The California Route 1 model, like our test vehicle, has a base price right around $51,000. It’s only available with rear-wheel drive and has an estimated range of 305 miles. The GT models get AWD standard and cost more than $61,000. We like the Ford’s lower starting price, and you get a lot for your money, but once their prices even out, the Tesla is the better value. The Mustang Mach-E qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit, though the Model Y does not.

Winner: Tesla Model Y

Leveraging the power of the Mustang name on this electric SUV was a stroke of marketing genius. And the Mach-E lives up to the hype. It’s an impressive package. We like its exterior style, its interior design, its performance, its ride quality, and its superior driving dynamics. It’s also packed with features, offers enough range for most buyers, and represents a strong value.

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y still offers more range, quicker acceleration, more rear seat space, more cargo room, more standard safety systems, and the world’s best infotainment system. We absolutely recommend the new Ford Mustang Mach-E to anyone shopping EVs, but the 2021 Tesla Model Y keeps its crown.

Winner: Tesla Model Y