Flash Drive: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric Crossover

Finally Here…And It’s A Blast!

Ford held a glitzy debut of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E before the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, giving the automotive media a chance to see this creation up close, but not get behind the wheel. This past week Ford returned to Los Angeles and gave us that long awaited drive. It was worth the wait!

While there are five trim levels of Select, Premium, First Edition, California Route 1 and GT, I spent my time in the all-wheel drive Mach-E. This model is scheduled to hit dealers soon, maybe even arriving at your local Ford dealer later this month (December 2020).

Power, Smooth Silent Power

There are three driver-selectable drive modes of Whisper (Eco), Engage (Medium) and Unbridled (Sport), with each giving a different driving experience. Rear wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive an option on Select and Premium models (standard on the GT model while the California Route 1 is RWD only). Performance numbers vary depending on the battery pack and RWD/AWD configuration. My extended range AWD had 459 horsepower (hp) and 612 pound-feet of torque (lb.-ft.). Remember, all this power and torque is delivered silently (except for occasional tire-squealing).

The Mach-E has one-pedal driving where lifting off the accelerator pedal slows the Mach-E, eventually bringing it to a stop. Ford’s system has no paddles to alter the amount of engine braking, and the driver cannot adjust the amount of braking, so the computer gets to do the work. With the same amount of braking applied regardless of which drive mode you are in, the one pedal driving learning curve was quick and, except for the fastest of corners going through the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, I rarely used the brake pedal for the 19-inch vented discs. This is a convenient feature for in-town and that ever-so-frustrating commute traffic.

The all-electric driving range is estimated to be between 211 and 300 miles by the U.S. EPA, with the higher range when the Mach-E is equipped with the extended range battery and RWD.

Hitting the Road

Our Mach-E test drive took us from LAX to Malibu, then up through the mountains with a return along the beach, before heading inland again. The initial drive, through the beach cities on city streets had plenty of traffic lights, making it a great opportunity to learn the one pedal driving by accelerating between lights and letting the electric motor slow the Mach-E.

Once we hit Malibu, taking a hard right off Pacific Coast Highway onto Las Flores Road, the fun began. The turn-by-turn voice activated navigation worked great, but I missed a turn and ended up on Hume Road. Glad I did, as I highly recommend its tight turns and short straight sections, which saw the Mach-E rise to the occasion. Next up were Piuma and Malibu Canyon Roads, dumping out again on PCH. The longer, higher speed sweepers had the Mach-E planted to the road, with very little need to adjust the electric-assisted steering on double apex or decreasing radius corners.

What I learned is the Mach-E has instant, linear throttle response from the 346 hp and 428 lb.-ft. of torque. The 19-inch tires and Macpherson front and independent rear suspension handled pretty much anything we threw at it, while the 4,800 pounds was noticeable, feeling heavy at times when diving into corners.

Mach-E: In and Out

The Mach-E has room for five, but three full-size adults in the rear is not advised for a trip of any distance. With the rear seat folded, cargo space is 59.7 cubic feet, but that isn’t the only place to store stuff. Under the hood is a “frunk,” which can hold a carry-on size bag. For versatility, the frunk has been cleverly designed with a drain so it can hold wet or dirty items, or even be packed with ice for beverages, and then hosed out.

The interior design is sleek, modern and uncluttered. The seats were supportive and comfortable, with the steering wheel having a good thickness to it. One request is for a more pronounced steering wheel thumb bump, so the 9 and 3 grip can be utilized properly when cornering. The center armrest is deep for storing purses and bags, and the panoramic sunroof is large, opening the cabin for front and rear seat occupants. The horizontal 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster provides the most important operational information.

Mustang aficionados comment how the Mach-E really isn’t a Mustang. We heard the same thing about the Porsche Cayenne SUV, launched in 2003, not looking like a 911. The Cayenne is now Porsche’s top-selling vehicle. The Mach-E has distinctive Mustang heritage design cues, including a long hood and the three tail lights that look oh-so-classic Mustang. The sleek, smooth Mach-E is nearly devoid of badging, save for the nose and tailgate, and the lower front doors. Don’t be surprised if the Mach-E passes the Mustang’s estimated 2020 sales of 63,500 very soon.

Technology

The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is available with the updated and improved advanced driver assist technology (ADAS) of Co-Pilot360 2.0. Co-Pilot360 2.0 has features that help make driving safer and more confident, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot and active lane control monitoring, post impact braking, evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control.

FordPass Connect is standard, offering a 4G LTE Wi-Fi that can handle mobile devises and allows for over the air software updates. This is also where electric charging can be managed, including charging scheduling and payment through the FordPass Charging Network, the largest such network in North America.

Ford’s proprietary 15.5-inch, vertical touchscreen handles the next generation Sync 4 connectivity system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa and Waze navigation. The Sync 4 system has been simplified so now everything is no more than two touches away. If you really want to go big, the optional 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen Premium audio system should be worth the investment as the cabin on the Mach-E is quiet.

Price and Timing

The all-new, all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E base prices cover a considerable spread, reflecting four model grades, different size batteries, and RWD versus AWD options. These are MSRP, and do not include options or delivery fees. Federal and state tax credits could reduce your final price. Here are the available models, their prices and configurations and projected delivery dates. The sold-out $58,300 AWD First Edition is being delivered this month. Note: Unless there are a substantial number of car-hauling trucks on the way to dealerships, those close-in delivery dates may be a little optimistic.

• Select                         $42,895  RWD/AWD optional Late 2020
• Premium                  $47,000  RWD/AWD optional Late 2020
• California Route 1   $49,800  RWD only Late 2020
• GT                               $60,500  AWD only Late Summer 2021

Observations: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric Crossover

Whew, what a blast! With a targeted 3.5-second 0-60 time on the GT Performance Edition, get ready for some fun times ahead. Sure, the pinned-in-your-seat off-the-line acceleration gets the juicy headlines, but where the all-new 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E shines is its practicality as an everyday driver. With ample passenger and cargo space, interior comfort features and a smooth and quiet ride, the Mach-E is sure to replace many a gasoline-powered crossovers in garages everywhere.

The somewhat confusing sharing of the Mustang name raised the angst level in many a purist, but Ford has assured us the Mustang coupe, with the EcoBoost and V8 engines, are not going away. Take a breath, your fire breather will be around for a while. But when you can get a Mach-E that outperforms any current or previous showroom stock Mustang, why not go electric?

There is so much to talk about on the Mach-E, we cannot cover it all here in this Flash Drive review. Clean Fleet Report will do a thorough Road Test of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E when they are made available to the press. We are excited to drive and learn as much as possible about the Mustang Mach-E, and pass along our thoughts on this revolutionary vehicle for Ford. Until then, contact your local Ford dealer and set an appointment to check-out the Mach-E.

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Ford.

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.