Compared: 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. 2023 Tesla Model Y
While Mach-Es languish on lots, Tesla can't build enough Model Ys.
Ford | Tesla
QuickTakes:
When it comes to electric compact crossovers, the Tesla Model Y is king. It's among the bestselling vehicles — not just EVs — in the United States, and yet competitors such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E can't seem to gain traction.
It could be because the Model Y qualifies for the full $7,500 federal tax incentive, whereas the Mustang Mach-E is excluded. Or it could be because the Tesla has superior range and energy efficiency.
Ford
The Mustang Mach-E Costs Less to Get Into Than the Model Y
Base to base, Ford's Mustang Mach-E costs less than Tesla's Model Y — $42,000 versus $46,000. Adding all-wheel drive (AWD) to the Ford boosts the price to $45,000. The AWD Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor starts at $51,000.
Then there's the battery to consider. Ford offers two: one providing 70.0 kilowatt-hours of energy and the other 91.0. The larger unit delivers better range, and when matched with two motors for AWD, it raises the Mach-E's outlay to $51,000. That's neck and neck with the comparable Model Y Long Range.
Those looking for sub-4.0-second zero-to-60-mph times and racier styling can get them in either vehicle for a premium. Ford offers the GT and GT Performance models for $54,000 and $59,000, respectively, with the latter boasting magnetorheological dampers for superior handling. Or you can purchase the Model Y Performance at a competitive $54,000.
Tesla
The Model Y Will Hold More of Your Cargo
Tesla equips every Model Y with a UV-blocking glass roof, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless device-charging pad. Ford provides the last for free but charges extra for the rest.
The two vehicles are about the same size inside, with each accommodating five occupants. For $3,000, Model Y Long Range shoppers can add two more seats in the back, but that third row won't fit the average adult, and it'll cut rear cargo volume down to 12.8 cubic-feet (from 30.2 cu-ft). The Model Y's cargo volume behind the front seats measures up to 72.1 cu-ft.
Ford
As for tech, Model Y owners need to look to the center 15.0-inch screen for most things, including checking their speed and adjusting the rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Mach-E has a more traditional setup, with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver and a 15.5-inch display in the center stack for infotainment.
Between the two, only the Mach-E provides hands-free driving capability, as every buyer gets a 90-day trial of Ford's BlueCruise tech. Those who like it can pay $2,100 for a three-year subscription. Tesla, meanwhile, offers some interesting (albeit not hands-free) driver-assistance features of its own with the $6,000 Enhanced Autopilot suite or the $12,000 Full Self-Driving package.
At 4.7 cu-ft, the frunk in the Mustang Mach-E is larger than the one in the Tesla. The rest of the Mach-E's cargo space — measuring up to 29.7 and 59.7 cu-ft behind the second and first rows — falls short compared with the Model Y.
Tesla
Model Y Wins in Energy Efficiency and Range
The base Model Y returns 129/116/123 MPGe city/highway/combined and can go 279 miles between charges, per the EPA. Selecting either the Long Range at 127/117/122 MPGe or the Performance at 115/106/111 MPGe will yield 330 miles and 303 miles of range, correspondingly.
The most efficient Mustang Mach-E is the entry-level 70.0-kWh rear-driver, with an EPA rating of 110/96/103 MPGe. And its range is middling at 247 miles. The least efficient Mach-E — the 90/77/82-MPGe GT Performance — actually boasts more range at 260 miles.
Those who need a 300-mile-or-higher rating to help curb their range anxiety might opt for the 312-mile Mach-E California Route 1 with AWD instead of the cheapest AWD model, which needs a charge after 224 miles.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
