Comparing purchasing a 2023 CR1 vs a 2024 Premium

[SuperD]

I am potentially taking the plunge into EV ownership later this week with a MachE and will be looking at two cars at a dealer near me.

I'm interested in any feedback on why one of these would be "more ideal" than the other.

Both cars have:

• extended range 91kw batt
• AWD
• 150kw DC charge capability

Car 1 is a 2023.5 California Route 1 - MSRP $50.6k, think I can get it for ~$43k
VIN sticker is 9/23 build (so should be a 2023.5 from what I read here)
- less desirable color for me (space white)
+ I believe it includes BlueCruise 1.3
- manual liftgate vs power
- slight less adjustments to seats (8-way vs 10 way),

Car 2 is a 2024 Premium - MSRP $54.2k, think I can get it for ~$48k
VIN sticker is 2/24 build
+ better color for me (vapor blue)
+ power liftgate vs manual
+ Better B&O Sound system
+ PAAK (not on the 2023.5?)

I'm trying to decide if the 2024 is worth the extra $5k.

Can anyone add/clarify to my notes above or provide any other thoughts on why or why not to go for either?

Thanks in advance!

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[AliRafiee]

PAAK is on all.
I don’t know how long the BC free trial is on either one.
The whole decision is up to you.

For me, I need the car to be the car I love. For example, I would have never bought my car if it was white.

 

[tuminatr]

One of the overlooked features is the headlights. CR1 & Select have LED reflector headlights rated as marginal by IIHS. Premium, GT, & Rally have LED projectors they are much brighter and have a wider pattern. The Projectors are rated excellent by the NTSB. This is true of all pre-2024 models as in 2024 all trims have LED Projectors.

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/ford/mustang-mach-e-4-door-suv/2021

 

[thekat03]

I love my CR1, and think it's a great car, but depending on where you live, the better headlights might be a bigger deal. I kind of wish I had the better headlights because I worry about deer catching me off guard, but my CR1's headlights are decent, and far better than on my old car. Headlights weren't as big a deal when I lived in a big city as now where I live in a rural wooded area. I don't think the lack of a power liftgate is a big deal, since it's easy to open the manual one, and it's one less thing to potentially malfunction. Better sound system... Mine is fine, but I am not an audiophile. Space white is an interesting color, since it's a bit more color shifting than a standard white (check it out on a sunny day), and if you like having a unique color, space white is no longer available on the Mach-E, but vapor blue is very pretty. I am happy with my CR1, but the differences are all pretty subjective, so you get to decide how worthwhile the newer model is to you.

 

[Mach1E]

I am potentially taking the plunge into EV ownership later this week with a MachE and will be looking at two cars at a dealer near me.

I'm interested in any feedback on why one of these would be "more ideal" than the other.

Both cars have:

• extended range 91kw batt
• AWD
• 150kw DC charge capability

Car 1 is a 2023.5 California Route 1 - MSRP $50.6k, think I can get it for ~$43k
VIN sticker is 9/23 build (so should be a 2023.5 from what I read here)
- less desirable color for me (space white)
+ I believe it includes BlueCruise 1.3
- manual liftgate vs power
- slight less adjustments to seats (8-way vs 10 way),

Car 2 is a 2024 Premium - MSRP $54.2k, think I can get it for ~$48k
VIN sticker is 2/24 build
+ better color for me (vapor blue)
+ power liftgate vs manual
+ Better B&O Sound system
+ PAAK (not on the 2023.5?)

I'm trying to decide if the 2024 is worth the extra $5k.

Can anyone add/clarify to my notes above or provide any other thoughts on why or why not to go for either?

Thanks in advance!

2024 has significantly more torque (500) and is also significantly faster to 60 mph (4.1 seconds).

That alone would be worth the extra money to me. But it’s up to you if that matters.

I’ve never regretting paying a little extra to get the thing I wanted.

Many times I have regretted getting “almost” what I want just to save some money.

If you can afford both, it should be a no brainer to buy the one in the color you want with the features you want.

 

[B177y]

I also have a '23 CR1. I love the car, but....

I echo the post above, I wish I would have gone with a Premium or GT.

I was able to test drive a GTPE for a weekend before purchasing my CR1, so I had that as a baseline. I also took a Select for a quick spin "normal" test drive. I was able to put almost 400 miles on that GTPE. I now have 14,500+ on the CR1.

I went with the CR1 for the added range, not thinking that the seats and sound system would be that much worse, since they're the same as the Select I tested. In retrospect, the added range of the CR1 is not that big of a deal as I thought it would be.

The CR1 seats get uncomfortable for me after about 90 minutes. The Select test wasn't long enough to find that out. The GTPE seats on the other hand were supremely comfortable for me. The Premium seats are the same material as the GTPE, but have a more normal shape. The material is a large part of why I think the GTPE seats were more comfortable. The vinyl seats of the CR1 get a little sweaty for me.

For the extra money, I also wish I had the better sound of the B&O. Again, on longer drives, it would be nice to have. I now find myself reading threads about adding a subwoofer to my CR1.

The headlights on the CR1 are better than any car I have had before. I didn't think about comparing with the GTPE when I had it. From everything I have read however, the Premium/GT headlights are worth the upgrade.

I am not upset with my purchase. At the time, the prices were such that a Premium was just a little more than the CR1. With the minor shortcomings (for me) of the CR1, I feel like the Prem would be better.

But as I said, before, I love the CR1. It is by far my favorite car that I have ever owned.

 

[rjuricich]

I have CR1, and would probably go with the the Premium today because the extra range isn’t significant, doesn’t have premium sound system, or auto tailgate.

 

[ARK]

In terms of comfort, I think the original CR1s did not have perforated seats. I’m not sure if that’s the case with the 2023s, but all the Premiums I believe have perforated seats. In a hot climate (looks like you’re in Houston, I’m in LA), I have found perforated seats to be really helpful in avoiding a sweaty lower back from hot car seats.

 

[Mr Breeze]

I am potentially taking the plunge into EV ownership later this week with a MachE and will be looking at two cars at a dealer near me.

I'm interested in any feedback on why one of these would be "more ideal" than the other.

Both cars have:

• extended range 91kw batt
• AWD
• 150kw DC charge capability

Car 1 is a 2023.5 California Route 1 - MSRP $50.6k, think I can get it for ~$43k
VIN sticker is 9/23 build (so should be a 2023.5 from what I read here)
- less desirable color for me (space white)
+ I believe it includes BlueCruise 1.3
- manual liftgate vs power
- slight less adjustments to seats (8-way vs 10 way),

Car 2 is a 2024 Premium - MSRP $54.2k, think I can get it for ~$48k
VIN sticker is 2/24 build
+ better color for me (vapor blue)
+ power liftgate vs manual
+ Better B&O Sound system
+ PAAK (not on the 2023.5?)

I'm trying to decide if the 2024 is worth the extra $5k.

Can anyone add/clarify to my notes above or provide any other thoughts on why or why not to go for either?

Thanks in advance!

Find a dealer who is having trouble selling I bought mind 20 miles further than the closest one got a great deal. For me it’s premium all the way. You can get the price lower 7500 from uncle sam alone

 

[sci_goat]

Get the premium of it has 10 way adjustable seats for both drivers and passenger. I have the 2023 CR1 that are not that adjustable, and they’re not very comfortable as they can’t support your lower leg. The better seat adjustments are worth it!

 

[Doobster6]

I am potentially taking the plunge into EV ownership later this week with a MachE and will be looking at two cars at a dealer near me.

I'm interested in any feedback on why one of these would be "more ideal" than the other.

Both cars have:

• extended range 91kw batt
• AWD
• 150kw DC charge capability

Car 1 is a 2023.5 California Route 1 - MSRP $50.6k, think I can get it for ~$43k
VIN sticker is 9/23 build (so should be a 2023.5 from what I read here)
- less desirable color for me (space white)
+ I believe it includes BlueCruise 1.3
- manual liftgate vs power
- slight less adjustments to seats (8-way vs 10 way),

Car 2 is a 2024 Premium - MSRP $54.2k, think I can get it for ~$48k
VIN sticker is 2/24 build
+ better color for me (vapor blue)
+ power liftgate vs manual
+ Better B&O Sound system
+ PAAK (not on the 2023.5?)

I'm trying to decide if the 2024 is worth the extra $5k.

Can anyone add/clarify to my notes above or provide any other thoughts on why or why not to go for either?

Thanks in advance!

These are the features the Premium upgrade offers (according to Edmunds):

• 19-inch wheels
• Hands-free liftgate
• Acoustically insulated front windows
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Multi-color ambient lighting
• 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system

I just got the 2024 Premium in Vapor Blue and light interior two weeks ago. My wife and I both love it. I love every one of the features listed above, but you might find some unnecessary. The problem is if you like any one of them you need to get the package. Power adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar support was a MUST HAVE for my wife, as are the heated front seats. The ambient lighting is a a nice touch at night. The car is noticeably quieter at speed owing to the better sound insulation, and the B&O audio system is a solid B+/A-. For me there’s no question that it’s a worthwhile deal, but your needs might be different.

 

[generaltso]

One of the overlooked features is the headlights. CR1 & Select have LED reflector headlights rated as marginal by NTSB. Premium, GT, & Rally have LED projectors they are much brighter and have a wider pattern. The Projectors are rated excellent by the NTSB. This is true of all pre-2024 models as in 2024 all trims have LED Projectors.

I think the NTSB is too busy investigating plane crashes to worry about headlights. The NHTSA on the other hand…

 

[SuperD]

Wow - a ton of great feedback here in 24 hours!

@tuminatr and @thekat03 - good info on the headlight differences, I didn't know that. Plenty of deer in my area, so that IS a helpful addition.

@Mach1E - I didn't realize there that significant a torque boost (to 500?) in the 2024 AWD compared to the 2023.5 - everywhere I've seen stats (on the 2024) quotes a 0-60 of 4.8 - do you remember where have you seen 4.1, or is that from personal experience?

@ARK - great point on the seats. I'm already thinking I'll miss ventilated seats (not available on any MME from what I've seen), so I definitely think I'd miss the perforation if it's not there on the CR1.

@Mr Breeze - I'm already considering a dealer that's a distance away because they have a couple of models that are already heavily discounted (compared to my closer dealers). However, the federal tax credit seems to of expired on the MMEs.

@Doobster6 - good info on the sound insulation in the windows - I hadn't caught that.

Huge thanks to everyone who replied for some great info. Definitely leaning towards the premium after all this input. If I pull the trigger, I'll do a proper intro post soon! ;-)

 

[Mach1E]

Wow - a ton of great feedback here in 24 hours!

@tuminatr and @thekat03 - good info on the headlight differences, I didn't know that. Plenty of deer in my area, so that IS a helpful addition.

@Mach1E - I didn't realize there that significant a torque boost (to 500?) in the 2024 AWD compared to the 2023.5 - everywhere I've seen stats (on the 2024) quotes a 0-60 of 4.8 - do you remember where have you seen 4.1, or is that from personal experience?

@ARK - great point on the seats. I'm already thinking I'll miss ventilated seats (not available on any MME from what I've seen), so I definitely think I'd miss the perforation if it's not there on the CR1.

@Mr Breeze - I'm already considering a dealer that's a distance away because they have a couple of models that are already heavily discounted (compared to my closer dealers). However, the federal tax credit seems to of expired on the MMEs.

@Doobster6 - good info on the sound insulation in the windows - I hadn't caught that.

Huge thanks to everyone who replied for some great info. Definitely leaning towards the premium after all this input. If I pull the trigger, I'll do a proper intro post soon! ;-)

The 0-60 time is on the Ford website. Kinda surprised they haven’t bragged or advertised that better.

Even knowing it’s there I had to click like 12 places to get to this page-
https://www.ford.com/suvs/mach-e/models/mach-e-premium/

Then click on “specifications” at the bottom and you can see horsepower is now 365 and torque 500.

 

[shutterbug]

• Hands-free liftgate

None of them have hands free liftgates anymore.

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