El Grande: Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Tesla Model Y (2023)

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As far as punching goes, this is right up there with David and Goliath. The irony is that Ford is the challenger and Tesla is the giant in this ring. Tesla's value recently topped $600 billion, 16 times the value of Ford Motor Company.

It achieved this by cracking the electric car code, creating its own charging infrastructure instead of relying on existing networks. And, ironically, by sending their zero emission credits to traditional car manufacturers, helping them avoid regulatory emissions penalties around the world.

Ford has big plans to electrify its entire lineup of cars and trucks, but it clearly needs to catch up. Here is the first step on the long and winding road. Mach-E's performance here will give us a good idea of ​​how it should perform in the coming months and years.

In the red corner, we have the Tesla Model Y, Elon's top-spec midsize crossover SUV with 450hp and a weight of just over 2,000kg. This tips the scale towards $61,000. In the blue corner is the new Ford Mustang Mach-E. This is a First Edition flagship fitted with the 332bhp dual-engine powertrain and weighs in at an identical $61,000. In the UK, it's £58,080.

Both are family SUVs: cool enough to look at, practical enough to board. The Ford hits that mark reasonably predictably, with no controversy, a dash of street mean-spirited Mustang meets cute Disney. The Tesla is a minivan, remember them? It wouldn't be nice if someone else did that. Seconds later, it's time for the first round.

round 1

The first round of this 24-hour electric race in Los Angeles, the world epicenter for electron-powered cars, begins with both cars at 93% identical charge. We do what we do with all new cars: we take the canyons and the curves in the mountains above the city. I have a secret route perfected over many years that, in less than 30 miles, can tell you just about everything you need to know about a car's steering, handling, acceleration, and braking. It's our own Nordschleife or Isle of Man, and not too fussy.

We expect the Mustang, despite its power deficit in this spec, to be the star here, given all its sports car heritage and long-awaited handling. In addition, it has the advantage of being developed against the well-known Tesla package. I mean, it's almost like putting weights in boxing gloves.

But when we get to the top of the mountain, we agree that the Tesla is the nicer and more athletic of the two. It's noticeably lighter on its wheels, feels much sharper, and is quick to react in corners. True, there's little steering feel, but overall, the lower center of gravity and higher grip help build confidence and allow you to use all of the Tesla's considerable power. The power that Tesla claims can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, nearly a full two seconds ahead of the Ford.

We expect the Mustang to be the star here.

In some ways, it's more rewarding and fun to drive than not just the Mach-E, but previous Model 3 sedans we've driven. We suspect it's due to the Y's 21-inch wheels and slightly lowered suspension. A configuration that makes driving a bit difficult.

Depending on where you place your driving priorities, this could make Ford a better bet. The Mach-E's 19-inch wheels make for a much smoother and more comfortable ride than the Tesla on all surfaces. Road noise is less and the car is quieter. But the Mach-E is heavy in comparison, the steering weight, especially in Unbridled, the most open of the three performance modes, feels synthetic, and the car takes a little longer to respond to input than the Y. It's not a car. likes to be thrown, or rewards for doing so. It's best to keep it within its modest limits of grip - manage the weight by turning more gradually and you'll still be able to run to the other side of a turn in a very satisfying way.

And it's fast enough for an SUV. Despite being 200kg heavier, step on the throttle in any mode and its 417 lb-ft of torque arrives instantly with aRewarded accommodation-this soundtrack coming out of the speakers.

The Tesla has the most complete electric transmission: its transition from acceleration to regenerative braking is excellent. You can make deceptively fast progress without touching the stop pedal once, just easing off the throttle to get the car to spin. It sounds strange, but all it takes is a few twists to make it natural and fun.

2nd round

Both cars enter the next round with around 65 percent of their battery charge remaining, having regenerated several percent on the way down the mountain. Try doing this in your normal car. That's still a lot to do in a day of driving in the city. So no range panic yet.

This round is all about how each vehicle performs when it comes to transporting people and their luggage. Since we have a photographer and his assistant with us, there is no shortage of odd-sized suitcases, purses, and strange and unreasonable photo requests in hard-to-reach places.

Ford says the Mach-E's interior draws on mid-century modern design themes, with clean lines and floating details like the central control screen for a feeling of openness and space. I don't want to. I live in a 1950's MCM house, so it's pretty straightforward to compare and I don't see it.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice interior. The full width fabric covered panel looks, feels and really is a B&O speaker, the pillar box info display is unobtrusive and sharp, while the large central upright display is great to use and look at. Plus, its seats are instantly softer and more flexible than Tesla's, and the driving position can be more easily adjusted thanks to a telescopic steering column. But here it's more conventional: Ford dumped the team, presumably because it didn't want to risk alienating Ford's current owners.

The Model Y, by comparison, is minimalist heaven. You've got a dash with a wood roof, a landscape screen, and none, zero, buttons other than the buttons on the steering wheel. Is that. Specify it blank if you dare (even if you have a wiper on speed dial) and you'll look like you're on some sort of otherworldly spaceship.

A feeling that only increases when you start to explore the technology on offer. The Mach-E features Ford's excellent set of Co-Pilot 360 anti-collision safety bells and whistles. But the Model Y's autopilot and other features are on a whole different planet of sophistication. The car is almost sensitive, it monitors traffic, pedestrians and road equipment. It even remembers when the traffic lights turn green, in case you're lost in thought. Instead of being annoying, you can pretty much turn off all the noise if you want, it just feels more evolved and smarter than the Mach-E.

Both cars can change their interiors very quickly to accommodate different loads of human and other baggage. They share low rear cargo beds, quick-folding rear seats, and small but useful trunks. Rear passengers said they preferred the Model Y's taller, airier seating position compared to the Mach-E's low, high-waisted seat, but there were no serious complaints.

After several hours of stalling, veering through the now dimly lit streets of the center of the third world, we declare a draw for this round. If you like cutting-edge technology and minimalist furniture, the Y is your choice. But if you just want to drive an electric car that keeps you safe and doesn't try to blind you, the Mach-E is the one. It is the least demanding, the easiest to interact with the car.

ronda 3

From the inside out, this penultimate session is about the physical attractiveness of the two vehicles. This is not a DIY round, this is about what the general public and other road users think. And based on that, there could only have been one car in this test: the Mach-E.

Everyone we met, both moving and stationary, was mesmerized by the Grabber Blue Ford, while the red Tesla was virtually invisible to them. Many didn't even bother to check the Y, just thinking it was an X, or maybe a 3: Tesla's design hasn't really evolved. But everyone wanted to know more about Mach-E.

Much has been made that using the Mustang name comes close to abusing the hallowed mark. But we couldn't find anyone, including serial owners of gas-powered Mustangs, who had no say in the matter. Would they buy one? "That there!" was the common response. So mark this a win for the blue oval, if you buy a car to turn heads. And for Tesla, if you like to move anonymously.

Ronda 4

Ahora que los niveles de carga han bajado al 30 % y ambos vehículos deben devolverse al día siguiente con las baterías llenas, esta ronda final se centró en la carga. Obviamente, Tesla obtiene el primer golpe al tener una red Supercharger relativamente madura y extendida. Es impresionante en Europa, pero en California es casi impecable.

So we launched a challenge. We asked each car for suggested charging options, and amazingly, both came back with the same location: a mall six miles away. Arriving at the mall, the difference could not be more pronounced.

Superchargers almost completely eliminate all range anxiety

Whereas the rather tattered regular chargers were tucked away in a few compartments on a lower floor, their cords dangling like clotheslines strung above the boxes, the sleek and clean Tesla superchargers took up an entire room on the top floor of the parking garage. . When we plugged in the Mach-E, the charger told us it would take 20 hours to charge. The Tesla? Only 45 minutes. This has nothing to do with the cars themselves, but it does highlight that the public charging network, both in Europe and the US, is five years behind Tesla.

Still quicker than the fastest Ford's network has to offer, the superchargers pretty much eliminate all range anxiety. It's easy to use Tesla's network while you're away from home. Plan a long trip, and Model Y will tell you where to stop, how long you'll need to be there, and redirect you if the Supercharger is busy before you get there. Ford's on-board system is no slouch, capable of finding fast chargers, plotting routes, etc., but still not quite as cohesive.

What to do with the two cars in general? Well, both do the job of being a family SUV at least as well as anything with an internal combustion engine. No, the Mustang isn't a Mustang as we know and love it, but it's a highly competent and moderately attractive first step on Ford's path to electrification. But despite the clearly apparent investment Ford has made, our winner is the Tesla Model Y. Not because of its speed and handling, but because it feels like the most modern and forward-thinking product. He wins on points, but since this is Ford's first attempt, it's actually pretty solid. Is Tesla worth 16 times Ford? Soon, it may be time to support the Blue Oval.

Photography:jamie lipman

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