The Tesla Model Y needs little introduction. It was the world’s bestselling car last year, Australia’s sixth bestselling car, and the top-selling electric car globally by a significant margin. But rivals are springing up all across the globe, looking to chip away at the Model Y’s dominance. The latest competitor to come to Australia is the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Now, we’re not here to debate whether the Ford Mustang Mach-E is deserving of that iconic Mustang badge. Today, we’re going to compare the interiors of these two electric vehicles, see what they’re like to drive, how they perform on a charge, and how much they cost. The question is, is the Tesla the sales champ for a reason, or does the Ford have what it takes to unseat it? Let’s find out.
We’re testing the cheapest models in each range: the Tesla Model Y rear-wheel drive and the Ford Mustang Mach-E Select rear-wheel drive. At the time of testing, the Model Y was priced at $65,400 before on-road costs, while the Mach-E Select was priced at $72,990 before on-road costs. However, since then, Tesla has cut the price three times to $59,900, a $9,500 saving, while Ford has also reduced the price of the Mach-E Select to $64,990, a saving of $8,000.
In terms of features, the Tesla Model Y comes with LED headlights and tail lights, parking sensors, a power tailgate, a 15-inch touchscreen, synthetic leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, a glass roof, dual wireless phone chargers, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, and blind spot cameras. The Ford Mustang Mach-E has a similar equipment list but with some differences, such as 19-inch wheels, a 15.5-inch portrait screen, blind spot monitoring lights, rear cross-traffic alert, a 10.2-inch instrument display, a 360-degree camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM radio, and a tire repair kit. The Mustang also features a keypad on the driver’s door pillar for added security.
When it comes to the interiors, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has a modern, minimalist design with a big 15.5-inch screen, a small driver display, and a Bang and Olufsen Soundbar. The screen’s size dominates the line of sight, and the small app icons can be fiddly to use on the move. Climate controls are buried in the screen but are on permanent display, making them easy to use. The digital driver display is small but functional, providing essential information like battery range and navigation. The front seats are comfortable, but could use more support, and storage space is adequate.
On the other hand, the Tesla Model Y has a minimalist interior with everything running through a 15-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash. The power delivery in the Tesla is more immediate, with a zippier feel compared to the Mach-E. The steering in the Tesla is super precise and responsive, making it easy to maneuver. The suspension in the Tesla is a bit firm, but it handles smaller imperfections better than the Mach-E.
In terms of driving performance, the Tesla Model Y wins this comparison. It has a bigger boot, is roomier inside, more energy-efficient, and better to drive. The Ford Mustang Mach-E does have some advantages, such as a more conventional car feel, digital speed display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and better seats. However, even with a higher price tag, the Tesla Model Y comes out on top.
Overall, the Tesla Model Y proves to be the superior electric vehicle in this comparison, with its advanced technology, energy efficiency, and driving performance. The Ford Mustang Mach-E offers some unique features and a more traditional car feel, but in the end, the Tesla is the clear winner.
