2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E review

It is! The Mustang Mach-E is a battery-powered compact crossover SUV. Rear-wheel-drive models have one electric motor, while the eAWD version has two—one at each axle. A choice of two battery options influences the range capability of your Mach-E. Charging options include standard home sockets and public charging stations.

The 2021 Mach-E has adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, a particularly useful feature for busy commuters. This smooth tech feature takes the stress out of traffic by automatically maintaining a preset distance from the vehicle in front of you.

You'll love the Mach-E's instant torque; its off-the-line acceleration is incredibly exciting. According to Ford, the fastest 2021 Mach-E is the GT trim with the Performance Edition package, delivering a blistering zero-to-60 time of 3.5 seconds, when new. The rest of the lineup is also impressive on that front—all reach 60 mph from a standing start in under 6.1 seconds. The top speed for the Mach-E is set at 124 mph.

The Mustang Mach-E first came on the market for the 2021 model year. Other than the name, there's really no relation to the Mustang sport coupe or convertible. This is a four-door, five-passenger small crossover SUV with a fully electric powertrain.

Ford made an effort to give the Mach-E distinctive Mustang-like styling, though. While the look is certainly a departure from the traditional two-door Mustang, it's still curvaceous and exciting, particularly for an SUV. The hatchback-style liftgate in the back opens up wide to help you load and unload items into the cargo area.

The Mach-E comes in four main trim levels. The base version is the Mach-E Select, and it comes reasonably well equipped with standard features. Technology and driver aids are strong points in particular. Move up to the California Route 1 for a panoramic roof and a surround-view camera system, among other features. The next trim, Premium, gets even more comfort features. Then there's the GT that gets the most power and sportiest performance. Ford also offered a First Edition for the 2021 model year only. It's similar to the Premium trim but has a few special cosmetic enhancements. 

Getting inside the Mach-E feels like a different experience. You press a small circular button to pop the doors open instead of using traditional door handles. It's a neat feature. You should be able to climb inside without much trouble because there is good head clearance despite the fastback styling. The seats are also positioned at a convenient height for easy access.

The seats themselves are comfortable, though more lateral support and additional adjustments would be nice. Depending on your height and driving position, the steering wheel might not telescope far enough for your liking. Make sure to try it out. While a few buttons and switches feel a bit too plasticky, in general the Mach-E's interior looks and feels upscale.

The Mustang Mach-E is a fun SUV to drive. And it's quick—an AWD Extended Range version sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds in Edmunds' testing. For comparison, the sportiest Ford Escape Edmunds tested did 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. But more importantly, the Mach-E is easy to drive. Power delivery is smooth thanks to the electric system, and you can use one-pedal driving to come to a comfortable and complete stop simply by taking your foot off the accelerator.

But slowing down the usual way—by pressing the brake pedal—could be better. There isn't much feeling delivered back to you through the pedal, and it can be tricky to stop smoothly. The steering and handling are thankfully more responsive. While not as thrilling as a traditional gas-powered Mustang, the Mach-E is easy to learn and provides momentary thrills behind the wheel.