The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover needs to not only live up to its historic name, but it also needs to point Ford’s future direction.
PROS All-electric powertrain Captivating looks Up to 300 miles of range Thrilling performance promises A new Mustang for a new generation
CONS Will it live up to its name? How small is the rear seat? How will that big tablet work? Small-ish range on base versions
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E is Ford's first all-electric crossover, and it was designed and named after the company's iconic pony car. The Mach-E also pays homage to the "Mach 1" moniker that has been used on high-performance Mustangs of old. Ford said it went with the name because it needed the electrified crossover to be as desirable as a Tesla to usher in its new era of electric vehicles.When the 2021 Mustang Mach-E finally goes on sale, we'd choose the Premium model. It's expected to provide 300 miles of driving range when paired with the extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive, but we'd still choose the all-wheel-drive version, which knocks its estimated range down to 270 miles. Compared with the base model, the Mach-E Premium has more powerful fast-charging capability, 19-inch wheels, a Band & Olufsen sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate.
PROS Attention-grabbing design, handsome and hushed cabin, instantaneous acceleration.
CONS Not particularly engaging to drive, most range ratings are modest, Mustang purists will miss the V-8 traits.
The first Ford designed specifically to be an electric vehicle.Available hands-free automated driving system.Choice of rear- or all-wheel drive and two battery sizes.Launches the first Mustang Mach-E generation for 2021.
PROS Larger 98.8-kWh battery pack should provide 300 miles on a charge Decisive thrust of a pure EV New Sync 4A infotainment allows for multiple driver profiles Upcoming GT Performance version boasts 459 horsepower
CONS Infotainment system is menu-heavy and takes time to learn
The 2021 Porsche Macan is unranked in Luxury Compact SUVs due to missing safety data. Currently, the Porsche Macan's overall score is not available, though its Critics' Rating, Performance score, and Interior score are based on our evaluation of 42 pieces of research and data.
Pros Exceptional handling and ride Muscular engine lineup Quality cabin materials Intuitive touch screen
Cons High base price for the class Snug rear seats and undersized cargo area
For 2021, Wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard.
Pros Quick acceleration regardless of engine choice Most athletic and engaging SUV in the class Surprisingly comfortable and composed ride Easy to customize thanks to a long list of options
Cons Less rear legroom and cargo capacity than many competitors Options and packages boost the price quickly Four-cylinder engine is much thirstier than those in rivals
A natural athlete, the Porsche Macan is the standard-bearer for sporty small SUVs and it’s priced to match
Pros Great handling Fantastic ride Powerful V-6 engines Quality feel inside and out Tons of options
Cons Expensive with options Cramped rear quarters Button overload inside Base engine doesn’t match expectations Light on standard safety gear