Car and Driver Names the Ford Mustang Mach-E the 2021 EV of the Year
The electric vehicle segment is becoming one of the most competitive in the automobile sector. Car and Driver, one of the most respected publications in the automotive industry, has an inaugural award for showcasing the best electric vehicles available this year. The EV of the year award is a coveted title, and this year goes to the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Ford is not a stranger to firsts, which explains why it goes ahead to win another award for the Blue Oval. Although no one at Ford Motor Co. wants to express their surprise after bagging the 2021 EV of the year award, individuals cannot hide their joy while celebrating behind the scenes.
Other 2021 EV of the year contenders
In a head-to-head all-electric automobiles review to win a debut “Best EV of the Year” award, Car and Driver names the Mustang Mach-E the better option among 10 other competitors.
Additionally, in Sharon Carty’s Editor’s letter, the editor in chief of Car and Driver says, “Love them or hate them, you’ll be seeing many more EVs on the road in the next few years. Change is coming, and we plan to embrace it, critique it, and push the industry to keep making cars that enthusiasts of all stripes can love.”
The other 10 contenders for the award include the Tesla Model S Long Range Plus, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Tesla Model 3 Performance, Porsche Taycan 4S, Polestar 2, Audi E-Tron, Nissan Leaf Plus, Kia Niro EV, and Tesla Model Y Performance.
Unpacking the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is available with an extended-range 98.8-kWh pack or a standard-range 75.70-kWh battery. These batteries feed the electric motor on the rear or both axles. That means that the GT Performance and sporty GT models will be all-wheel drive considering the former combination. When these motors combine, it makes 480 hp and a maximum of 634 pound-feet of torque.
According to Ford, that sends the Mach-E GT Performance from 0 to 60 mph within 3.5 seconds. When it comes to less powerful models, you should expect between 317 lb-ft and 428 lb-ft of torque and between 266 hp and 346 hp. The wheel size range for the Ford Mustang Mach-E is from 18 to 20 inches, and the EPA-estimated range is between 211 and 305 miles depending on the type of electric motors and battery pack.
The Mustang Mach-E’s battery is under the car’s floor for maximum passenger and cargo space. You will also love the interior’s streamlined dashboard that hosts an attractive digital gauge cluster with a huge vertical touchscreen.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E specifications
The base price for this vehicle is $46,695. The Mach-E has a combined gas mileage of 90 mpg, the city at 96 mph, and highway fuel economy 84 mpg at a range of 270 miles. The car has two permanent-magnet synchronous AC combined outputs of 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E runs on an 88.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The car’s dimensions are 117.5 inches of wheelbase, 185.6 inches length, 74.1 inches width, 64.0 inches height, 104 cubic feet passenger volume, 35 cubic feet cargo volume, and 4856 pounds curb weight. Additionally, Mach-E’s transmission has two direct drives with 14.3-inches front, and rear brakes and a 12.4-inches vented disc.
Why did Car and Driver pick the Ford Mustang Mach-E?
First, note that the Mustang Mach-E seeks to convert individuals from EV skeptics to EV evangelists, and it does it better than the Volkswagen ID. 4 and other EVs out there. The Volkswagen ID. 4 has an interior with switches for most of its controls, which often require several attempts to activate. The experience can be frustrating if such a vehicle is for daily use.
The Volkswagen ID. 4 does not have a front storage compartment, which is a significant difference that gives the Mustang Mach-E an upper hand. Car and Driver put each of the vehicles competing for the EV of the year award to test before making their pick. The trials include a 75-mpg driving range, subjective driving feel tests on public roads, and timed performance tests.
For a vehicle to win the award, it must fulfill its mission better than its competitors, deliver exceptional driving engagement, offer indisputable practicality and value, and be fun to drive. The News Wheel reported, after careful consideration, “Car and Driver picked the Mustang Mach-E as the winner of the 2021 EV of the year.”
Undoubtedly, the Mustang Mach-E pushes new buyers past mere acceptance of EVs to excitement through its unique design and driving dynamics. It confirms that one can still get their kicks in an EV the same way they do in a vehicle with a traditional engine.
According to CNBC, Ford is planning to increase investment in EVs to over $30 billion through 2025.
RELATED: Broken 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Software Might Cause a Dead Battery
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