[Ed753]

We Drive and Compare the Tesla Model Y vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E - You Pick A Winner

By John Goreham G+ Jan 20 2021

We drove the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD back to back with the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD Premium to see how they compare and contrast. Tell us which you would pick and why.

As America moves towards electrified vehicles Torque News endeavors to bring you the best comparisons we can so that shoppers can make an informed decision. The Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E are head-to-head competitors in a widening field that started with the Jaguar I-Pace. Both of these new vehicles bring the entry price down considerably while still offering what is easy to call "high performance."

Ford offered us unlimited access to its experts and a week of testing time with the new Mustang Mach-E, which is being delivered to its first owners as this story is written. As always, since Tesla has no automotive media support, Tesla offered us no expert insight and no media test vehicle. Tesla's local dealer had e-mailed me an invitation as a consumer, so I accepted. Short of purchasing a Model Y, this is the best comparison we can provide. We won't choose an overall winner, but we will tell you which vehicle we felt was better in which category. You choose the winner.

(continued)

 

[Ed753]

So Tesla is the best EV as long as it doesn't have any competition?



Ran across this graph today; "Bubblicious"?

 

[1958carnut]

Poor Ford.

 

[BlackGTP]

Clearly the Tesla just got its ass handed to it. I was going to say the Model Y has been on the market awhile and due for an update, but it went on sale in March 2019 (I'd swear its been on the market a lot longer). Either way, it is only going to get worse as more brands enter the market. Elon better get going on a mid-cycle refresh to upgrade the interior and suspension.

However, I still find the Tesla brand to be a lot more appealing, and I'm certain that will continue to help Tesla in the short term (I'm assuming others feel the same way). But that brand appeal can only last so long if they keep getting reviews like this.

I like the brand, but still maintain the stock is way overvalued. But that is Wall Street setting the stock price, not Elon.

 

[rmc523]

Clearly the Tesla just got its ass handed to it. I was going to say the Model Y has been on the market awhile and due for an update, but it went on sale in March 2019 (I'd swear its been on the market a lot longer). Either way, it is only going to get worse as more brands enter the market. Elon better get going on a mid-cycle refresh to upgrade the interior and suspension.

However, I still find the Tesla brand to be a lot more appealing, and I'm certain that will continue to help Tesla in the short term (I'm assuming others feel the same way). But that brand appeal can only last so long if they keep getting reviews like this.

I like the brand, but still maintain the stock is way overvalued. But that is Wall Street setting the stock price, not Elon.

You're probably thinking of the S or X.

S has been on sale since 2012, with only the mild "grille" update for 2016.

X has been around since 2015 with no visual changes.

They definitely need to update those two soon.

 

[BlackGTP]

You're probably thinking of the S or X.

S has been on sale since 2012, with only the mild "grille" update for 2016.

X has been around since 2015 with no visual changes.

They definitely need to update those two soon.

Yes - must be the Model X I'm thinking of! I do feel like Tesla carried over the interior styling of the S & X to the Y (sounds like it could be a song) and they are due for a new style direction. Though I'm not sure how they'd update their minimalist styling to something new. Certainly better materials, but how do you update minimalist style? I'll be interested to see what they eventually do with that tacked on iPad (yes, I hate it), it's part of their minimalistic look, but the new full dash screens we are seeing from Cadillac and Mercedes look a lot more compelling. Wonder if they'll take away the iPad and go with full HUD and voice commands for everything or something futuristic like that.

 

[dannyg]

I was impressed by Tesla’s Supercharger network until I found out it costs the equivalent of $9/gal. Ouch! Does anyone know if other higher-speed charging networks are that pricey?

Our Tesla Model 3 Proves EVs Are Cheaper When Charged at Home

We have spent approximately $1200 less on fuel compared to our long-term BMW M340i.

www.caranddriver.com

(To be fair, the article also says the at-home charging costs for the 3 are lower than the equivalent BMW burning premium gas.)

 

[BlackGTP]

I was impressed by Tesla’s Supercharger network until I found out it costs the equivalent of $9/gal. Ouch! Does anyone know if other higher-speed charging networks are that pricey?

Our Tesla Model 3 Proves EVs Are Cheaper When Charged at Home

We have spent approximately $1200 less on fuel compared to our long-term BMW M340i.

www.caranddriver.com

(To be fair, the article also says the at-home charging costs for the 3 are lower than the equivalent BMW burning premium gas.)

That reminds me of ATM's - you always have the one's in bars, nightclubs and a few other places with $10 fees - get you when you are drunk and looking for more beer money. I never used them, to much of a rip-off, and they looked shady, like your bank info will be stolen. In other words they hit your wallet hard for the convenience.

 

[Ed753]

Clearly the Tesla just got its ass handed to it. I was going to say the Model Y has been on the market awhile and due for an update, but it went on sale in March 2019 (I'd swear its been on the market a lot longer). Either way, it is only going to get worse as more brands enter the market. Elon better get going on a mid-cycle refresh to upgrade the interior and suspension.

However, I still find the Tesla brand to be a lot more appealing, and I'm certain that will continue to help Tesla in the short term (I'm assuming others feel the same way). But that brand appeal can only last so long if they keep getting reviews like this.

I like the brand, but still maintain the stock is way overvalued. But that is Wall Street setting the stock price, not Elon.

The Tesla Y "looks old", because it looks a lot like the 3, but it has only been for sale for about 10 months.

 

[CJH]

Ran across this graph today; "Bubblicious"?

View attachment 63094

All that "stimulus" money + Robinhood investors stuck at home = Bubble

Though I'm not sure how they'd update their minimalist styling to something new. Certainly better materials, but how do you update minimalist style? I'll be interested to see what they eventually do with that tacked on iPad (yes, I hate it), it's part of their minimalistic look, but the new full dash screens we are seeing from Cadillac and Mercedes look a lot more compelling. Wonder if they'll take away the iPad and go with full HUD and voice commands for everything or something futuristic like that.

On the interior, simply make it more luxurious, better materials, digital guage cluster, ect..... It can still remain minimalist (which I tend to like). On the exterior make it look like less of an egg. Mustang is has a far more compelling exterior than Y.

 

[Ed753]

The Tesla Y "looks old", because it looks a lot like the 3, but it has only been for sale for about 10 months.

The Tesla Y really didn't start selling in-mass, in the US until the 2nd half of the year.

Tesla Y Total Registrations, by Quarter:

Q1 - 2020: 114
Q2 - 2020: 4,155 (which includes Q1)
Q3 - 2020: 28,003 (which includes Q1 & Q2)

(I won't have Q4 for another few weeks.)

Point is, the "Y" is a brand new vehicle.

 

[rmc523]

Yes - must be the Model X I'm thinking of! I do feel like Tesla carried over the interior styling of the S & X to the Y (sounds like it could be a song) and they are due for a new style direction. Though I'm not sure how they'd update their minimalist styling to something new. Certainly better materials, but how do you update minimalist style? I'll be interested to see what they eventually do with that tacked on iPad (yes, I hate it), it's part of their minimalistic look, but the new full dash screens we are seeing from Cadillac and Mercedes look a lot more compelling. Wonder if they'll take away the iPad and go with full HUD and voice commands for everything or something futuristic like that.

Honestly, I'm pretty confident in assuming Tesla went with the single center screen in the Model 3/Y so that they can use the same design in LHD and RHD markets with the smallest change to keep costs down. You can keep the entire dash aside from the lower part that way.

 

[richmond2000]

Honestly, I'm pretty confident in assuming Tesla went with the single center screen in the Model 3/Y so that they can use the same design in LHD and RHD markets with the smallest change to keep costs down. You can keep the entire dash aside from the lower part that way.

I saw on ali I think a gauge cluster for the Y/3 it is a screen the attaches some how in front of the driver where it SHOULD BE and I am pretty sure that would be an early purchase for me if I had a Y
TFL cars OWNS a Y and has a media loaner Mach E
they found the Y better "sporty" driving and described the Mach as feeling HEAVY and had issues with the "plug and charge" system with the "pumps" not recognising the car/account and requiring CC payment to start when it is supposed to be automatic like Tesla - will get better over time
+ Tesla charges at every EV charger + SUPERCHARGER networks not available to the MACH at this time
I prefer the looks of the ford inside AND out + having an actual dealer network and spares available and NOT HAVING Tesla's "famously" bad support / spares availability and excessively long down time - for me Tesla service is a dude in a Ford Transit connect renting a stall out if a used car dealer ( very high end one but)

 

[emh]

I was impressed by Tesla’s Supercharger network until I found out it costs the equivalent of $9/gal. Ouch! Does anyone know if other higher-speed charging networks are that pricey?

Our Tesla Model 3 Proves EVs Are Cheaper When Charged at Home

We have spent approximately $1200 less on fuel compared to our long-term BMW M340i.

www.caranddriver.com

(To be fair, the article also says the at-home charging costs for the 3 are lower than the equivalent BMW burning premium gas.)

Whoa, that doesn't sound right.
Supercharging cost is more like $2.30 or so gas.

 

[bballr4567]

I just wish the MachE was more efficient. It's the better vehicle in every other way expect for performance.

"During our first day with the Ford Mach-E, we drove to the closest charging station, a Chargepoint location sponsored by a local business, Osram Sylvania. We connected and went for a 24-minute walk. We came back to find we had added 2.259 kWh of power to the 88kWh battery. That equates to a range added back of about 7 miles. You be the judge of whether that is a meaningful added range. Had we been at a Tesla Supercharger, we could have added back about 200 miles of range. However, there is no Supercharger near my home."

This going to be the biggest thing going against the MachE. It's going to be very difficult to take it on any type of serious road trip.

And, yea, that supercharging costs per gallon is completely wrong. The math is a pretty bad. It's not a quick and dirty calculation like they did with the MPGe figure.

 

[JTL2017]

The MME is the only "affordable" EV that I truly like. With that said, they need to improve the efficiency. Despite the MME being the better car than the Model Y, it's not the better electric car.

 

[mgescuro]

Yes - must be the Model X I'm thinking of! I do feel like Tesla carried over the interior styling of the S & X to the Y (sounds like it could be a song) and they are due for a new style direction. Though I'm not sure how they'd update their minimalist styling to something new. Certainly better materials, but how do you update minimalist style? I'll be interested to see what they eventually do with that tacked on iPad (yes, I hate it), it's part of their minimalistic look, but the new full dash screens we are seeing from Cadillac and Mercedes look a lot more compelling. Wonder if they'll take away the iPad and go with full HUD and voice commands for everything or something futuristic like that.

Tesla seems to be on a 4-5 year refresh cycle. It's fine, as a lot of their updates are software based, and those come at a fairly rapid pace.
Does their exterior style need refreshing? Maybe change up the taillights and maybe their sensors and cameras. That being said, the design is relatively timeless.
The X could use some refreshing a bit though.

The interior needs improved materials and higher end options. But I understand why it doesn't, as it simplifies the manufacturing process. And "vegan leather" was an often requested option.

But the question still remains. Is Tesla meant to be a "luxury brand" or merely a "premium brand?" As I've often stated here, just because a car prices in the luxury market, doesn't mean it's a luxury product.

My opinion right now is that Tesla is become a more all-around vehicle and not focused on the luxury market. that's fine as well. But as the Germans and JLR ramp up their luxury BEV offerings, what you'll see is a potential cut into Tesla's margins. What will keep consumers at Tesla is a focus on world beating range and performance. That will be their differentiating factor. But that's 5-10 years out minimum.

 

[bballr4567]

Tesla seems to be on a 4-5 year refresh cycle. It's fine, as a lot of their updates are software based, and those come at a fairly rapid pace.
Does their exterior style need refreshing? Maybe change up the taillights and maybe their sensors and cameras. That being said, the design is relatively timeless.
The X could use some refreshing a bit though.

The interior needs improved materials and higher end options. But I understand why it doesn't, as it simplifies the manufacturing process. And "vegan leather" was an often requested option.

But the question still remains. Is Tesla meant to be a "luxury brand" or merely a "premium brand?" As I've often stated here, just because a car prices in the luxury market, doesn't mean it's a luxury product.

My opinion right now is that Tesla is become a more all-around vehicle and not focused on the luxury market. that's fine as well. But as the Germans and JLR ramp up their luxury BEV offerings, what you'll see is a potential cut into Tesla's margins. What will keep consumers at Tesla is a focus on world beating range and performance. That will be their differentiating factor. But that's 5-10 years out minimum.

A lot of their updates are done under the skin too. Look at the S. It's had a ton of upgrades even the past 3 years from battery capacity to motor upgrades. Tesla is weird because they just throw the parts in when they are ready versus waiting for the next model year. It's one of the reasons it's really tricky to buy them as a used car.

 

[Ed753]

Tesla seems to be on a 4-5 year refresh cycle. It's fine, as a lot of their updates are software based, and those come at a fairly rapid pace.
Does their exterior style need refreshing? Maybe change up the taillights and maybe their sensors and cameras. That being said, the design is relatively timeless.
The X could use some refreshing a bit though

Is "timeless design that needs a refresh" a fair statement?

I guess there is an upside to making it kind of ugly out of the box, since it never looked good, it doesn't have as far to fall in curb-appeal.

A lot of their updates are done under the skin too. Look at the S. It's had a ton of upgrades even the past 3 years from battery capacity to motor upgrades. Tesla is weird because they just throw the parts in when they are ready versus waiting for the next model year. It's one of the reasons it's really tricky to buy them as a used car.

S sales have all but dried-up, about 900/month last year, the X isn't far behind, a little over 1,200/month.
- Since the "Y" came on the scene, the "3" is really tapering off in the US too - WOW.