Long awaited and highly anticipated is Ford’s entry into the fully electric space, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is the once and future king of Detroit’s Motor City. In a brave move, adding it to the stable of Icons, Ford Motor Company stakes their claim as the heavyweight contender in the EV space.
Currently the EV space is dominated by Tesla with whispers of Rivian and Lucid entering the ring. The long standing players that continue to operate in the EV/Hybrid space continue their steady progression with the Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro and the Chevy Bolt. Newer contenders like the beautiful Porsche Taycan, Jaguar E-Pace and the striking offers from Karma and BMW bridge the gap between petrol and electric, operating in some middle land that caters to the needs of today with an eye on the future. But as the future progresses and governments continue to seek a balance between conservation, consumer needs, climate control and the demands of transportation, this field will continue to move forward and the Mach-E is a beautiful example of what can be done.
#ShowSomeMuscle
We had the pleasure of testing out the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium RWD on the streets of North Texas as a part of the Show Some Strength Campaign. Personally have been waiting to drive this vehicle for the last year since pre-Covid days when I saw it at the Houston Auto Show and the again at the Chicago Auto Show.
The sexy lines and rumored tech ability had peeked my interest, so when the word came that it would be in our coverage rotation here at DSMP, I could barely contain my excitement. I hoped that it retained the beauty and elegance of the pre-production model that I had seen and that it could live up to the hype. [Spoiler alert: It could and did.]
In Some Fabulous Company #ShowSomeMuscle
With the Mustang Mach-E #ShowSomeMuscle social media challenge, Ford is providing a platform to celebrate all of the women who are redefining the concept of strength by flexing their resilience, power, empathy, innovation, creativity and compassion 
Ford launched this vehicle as a part of the #ShowSomeMuscle campaign, a campaign that challenged perceived notions of what a muscle car could be. Modern, versatile, luxurious and polished are all terms that I would use to describe this modern muscle car. Like the women featured below, this vehicle shows you can be more than one thing… beautifully and with ease.
For the electric curious, this is a great option. No wonder, sales are higher than projected. It is timely fits the scene and the needs of modern Americans, though the infrastructure to maintain the switch to EV still needs advancement.
We were delighted to join this campaign and share our vision of what it means to #ShowSomeMuscle. It ended up being an opportunity to create and share something new, fun and kinda bad a**. Which is exactly the term used by two passersby admiring the Mustang Mach-E while we were sitting in traffic on Buckner in Dallas.
Exploring the Mach-E
Glamorous, surprisingly sexy and downright stunning in the Rapid Red, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an eye-catcher.
It arrived for review on a sunny Monday morning. Against the contrast of the sidewalk and with the early morning rays dancing across the surface, the Mustang Mach-E looked every bit the dashing prince.
Solid, elegant with a deft design restraint, this vehicle looks, handles and performs like a winner from an American manufacturer.
Shaped like a SUV with the soul of a Mustang, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E can easily seat 4 with 2 being in car seats or 5 full size adults. The retractable, ceiling encompassing moon roof brings light into the interior and illuminates the work of the design team. This is one that I would recommend that you simply get in and try it. It challenges the expectations of an ‘electric vehicle’ and delivers something functional and simple to use.
Iconic Mustang Puddle Lights (Credit: Zenora Collier) 
The Wide Moon Roof opens up the Interior. (Credit: Teia Collier)
It is clear from the massive 15.5″ infotainment console, soft ActiveX seating, the placement of the door handles and support panels, charging ports {including a wireless charging pad in the front], the LATCH anchor system and the depth of the cargo hold that each occupant of the vehicle was thought about and factored into the equation.
The dash is minimal with the exception of the massive center, active console where most of the vehicle’s options and customizations take place. Each occupant’s view is unobstructed and clear, lit by the light from the roof with a touch of a button.
Rear climate control and generous leg space make for comfortable ride for rear passengers and 8-way, customizable, memory power/heated front seats with wipeable ActiveX (a smooth leather-like polymer that feels like purse leather) seats make for a simple, get-in and go drive experience.
The Drive
I found the vehicle to be almost silent as I turned it on. I loved that I could add some of the familiar muscle sound and feel by switching the drive modes. Unbridled is the most intense, but I found that for everyday driving, I found my way to Whisper or Engage modes. I liked the feeling of sanctuary that happened inside the vehicle. Quiet, peaceful, fun with unobtrusive notifications made for a comfortable experience that I wanted to repeat as often as possible.
Yes, the vehicle is teched up between convenience and safety features like Phone As Key, the in-car WiFi/Hotspot program Ford Pass Connect and one pedal drive, but the operation of them is seamless and feels like a part of the vehicle rather than systems added just to be adding tech and systems to the vehicle. It was a well done balance.
Inside, it feels expensive and bears the hallmarks of a prestige vehicle. The shape, feel, driver experience and optimization of details to the depth, interior design and finishing combine to distinctly lay Ford’s claim to enter and possibly win the EV wars.
TRUE EV?
Yes, this is a true 100% EV SUV that is quite simply well done. With a long-range battery with 68KWH, which for me added up to around 210 miles, more than enough to be a daily driver here in Mesquite or Dallas. Easily charging on a 220V house plug with the included charger, but much faster at the rapid Chargepoint station, I decided that if I decide to purchase one of these to have a rapid charging port set up at my home.
Rear Cargo Hold for the Mustang Mach-E 
In vehicle charging supplies 
Under the Front Hood
That being said, the vehicle has smart tech to inform you as to where rapid charging stations are within a certain mile radius. I chose the one at my local Kohl’s for a bit of rapid charging while picking up duds for my kiddos. Simply swipe your card, plug in and let it run. The entire process couldn’t be easier, and in just over an hour, it gained about 30 extra miles on the charge.
Simple charging (Credit: Teia Collier)
WHO WILL LOVE THIS ONE?
As the first EV SUV from a major mass-market manufacturer, this field for competitors is varied. it is about the same size as the Ford Escape which heavily echoes the beauty and function of the Porsche Macan. I would sit this one squarely against the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi-E Tron and Tesla Y for the pure EV field.
If I were asked from someone that wanted to add an EV to their stable, fans of the Toyota RAV4 Prime, the Escape once again the Macan and the Mazda CX-5. Also those that are already enamored with the gas-powered Mustang will love this one. It carries the honor and hallmarks of the Mustang badge well. It has the same pep, sporty, sexy feel, but with a distinct nod to the luxury side of vehicles and more space than your traditional sporty crossover.
Available in 5 trim lines and priced impressively at between 40,000 and $50,000 not including the tax breaks and incentives that reach upwards of $14,000 depending on your state, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is worth a second or third look.
To find your local Ford dealer, visit here.
