Ford Mustang Mach-E Review: Strong 2025 Sales Make It A Good Tesla Model Y Alternative
The Mustang Mach-E May is the leading electric SUV alternative to the Tesla Model Y in the U.S. My quick-take review explains why.
The Mustang Mach-E was the No. 3 best selling EV in the U.S. behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 respectively in the first quarter of 2025, according to numbers released by Kelley Blue Book. I had the opportunity to drive the 2024 Mach-E for a week. Here are my impressions (Note that the 2025 Mach-E has been slow to arrive at dealers and most are still 'in transit' to dealers in Los Angeles.):
Ford Mustang Mach-E in the Mojave Desert.
Credit: Brooke Crothers
Range: I would suggest looking closely at the Premium trim with 300 miles+ range. Any EV with under 300 miles of range in 2025 is not practical. Styling: it's one of the more attractive EVs out there. Probably one of the reasons it's a bestseller. It's an SUV: This is not your typical Mustang. Being a true SUV – unlike the traditional Mustang – means lots of room inside. Quality: The Mach-E I drove was well screwed together. Needless to say, that matters. Speed: if you opt for the Mach-E Premium all-wheel drive or GT you'll get a very quick EV with lots of acceleration that matches the AWD Model Y and Model Y Performance. The rear-wheel drive trim won't disappoint either. Tesla adapter: Ford had been offering a free NACS adapter for Tesla chargers. It's not free anymore but it's good that Ford offers one. OTA updates: Ford is committed to Over-The-Air updates. That means it's committed to improving Ford's excellent BlueCruise drive-assist technology (see bottom), which is something that competing legacy carmakers are not always consistent about.
BlueCruise: Let me address the Mach-E's Advanced Driver Assist System or ADAS separately. An ADAS can essentially drive the car for you in many situations. ADAS is the future of driving (whether you realize or not). I was extremely impressed with BlueCruise. It offers driver assist on both major highways and local roads (the latter via lane-centering). While BlueCruise is not Tesla FSD, it should satisfy most drivers. BlueCruise comes with three months of complimentary service and monthly rates thereafter are $49.99 versus $99 for Tesla FSD.
Range on some models: Ford still sells Mach-Es with battery range well below 300 miles. Some as low as 250 miles. Yes, they're cheap but you pay for that with lost range. Low-range Mach-Es include the Mach-E Select and some Mach-E Premium variants. You may be thinking, 'Well, I just drive locally and I can plug it in at home.' But that thinking quickly goes out the window (as my experience shows) when you need an EV for unplanned long-distance drives. And, yes, that happens more often than you may think.
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