ChasingCoral

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Threads
375
Messages
12,402
Reaction score
24,516
Location
Maryland
Vehicles
GB E4X FE, Leaf, Tacoma, F-150 Lightning ordered
Occupation
Retired oceanographer
Country flag
https://www.edmunds.com/electric-car/articles/tesla-model-3-vs-tesla-model-y-vs-ford-mustang-mach-e/

Tesla Model 3 vs. Tesla Model Y vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Price, Range, Interior & More
2020_tesla_model-y_f34_ot_514201_1600.jpg


In 2020, the battle for electric vehicle sales supremacy will become a lot more interesting. In the first part of the year, you have the sibling face-off of the 2020 Tesla Model Y versus the 2020 Model 3. But later on Ford will be coming out with its 2021 Mustang Mach-E. This is the first time Ford has built a dedicated EV rather than simply bolting an electric motor into an existing model. The old-timer from Detroit is taking the fight to the young upstart from Silicon Valley.



Though they appear quite different, all three EVs use a similar formula. When their lineup is complete, they will all be available with either rear- or all-wheel drive and with three powertrain offerings: one for normal range, one for long or extended range, and one for high performance.

2020_tesla_model-3_f34_fe_514201_717.jpg

2020 Tesla Model 3.

Price Comparison: Model 3 vs. Model Y vs. Mustang Mach-E
The currently advertised Tesla Model 3 price ranges from in the low $40,000s to near $60,000, depending on which of the three trim levels you choose. Our prices here reflect destination fees but not incentives or cost of ownership savings since these change depending on location and use.

The Tesla Model Y is currently available in two higher-end trim levels, with prices ranging from around $54,000 to a little more than $60,000. Tesla says it will introduce lower-priced Model Y variants in the future to echo the lineup of the Model 3. We expect to see those in 2021 with a price in the mid-$40,000s.

Ford will allow you to reserve a Mustang Mach-E for $500, which will secure one of five trim levels priced from $45,000 to $62,000.

2021_ford_mustang-mach-e_actf34_fe_514201_717.jpg

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Range Comparison: Model 3 vs. Model Y vs. Mustang Mach-E
Tesla cites a Model 3 range of 250 miles in the least expensive model and 322 miles at the highest end. The Tesla Model Y's hovers around 315 miles but drops to 280 miles if you check the confusingly named Performance Upgrade for the Performance trim.

Be aware that, unlike other EV manufacturers, Tesla recommends only charging to 90% of maximum to avoid shortening the lifespan of the battery. Also unlike the vast majority of EVs we've ever tested, we have been unable to match the claimed range of any Tesla we've owned, from a Model S to Model X to Model 3. Your mileage will vary, but in our experience, you shouldn't expect to match what Tesla cites when it comes to range.

Ford's Mustang Mach-E driving range estimates go from 210 miles to 300 miles, although we expect Ford to update these figures before the Mach-E goes into production. And, of course, we'll need to subject the Mach-E to the Edmunds testing to verify the automaker's claims.

2020_tesla_model-y_r34_fe_514201_717.jpg

2020 Tesla Model Y.

Interior Comparison: Model 3 vs. Model Y vs. Mustang Mach-E
Compared to the Model 3, the Model Y is roughly 2 inches longer, 3 inches wider and about 7 inches taller. These differences allow for additional interior space in the Model Y. Most significantly, you get about 5 inches more second-row legroom in the Y than in the 3.

Visibility is somewhat poor in the Tesla Model 3 because its tallish rear seat blocks your view out back. In the Model Y, it's even worse. The sharp angle of the rear window leaves only a tiny space to see through when you check the rearview mirror. To compensate, you'll likely rely on the car's computer-aided alerts such as the proximity sensors and rear-facing reversing camera.

2020_tesla_model-3_fint_fe_514201_717.jpg

2020 Tesla Model 3.

Compared to the Model 3 and Model Y, the Mach-E has a few differences. A notable one: There's an instrument cluster ahead of its steering wheel. The Teslas lack one and display everything on their main infotainment system screen. Monitoring your speed on the move should be easier in the Ford.

To manage their infotainment functions, all three vehicles rely on large, centrally mounted rectangular touchscreens. In the Mach-E, the screen is mounted vertically rather than horizontally and is supplemented by more traditional buttons for functions such as the sound system and cruise control.

2021_ford_mustang-mach-e_int_fe_514201_717.jpg

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

A key advantage of the Model Y, in theory, is the future availability of a third-row seat. While we haven't sat in it yet, we saw one at the reveal of the Model Y. It looked so cramped that we wouldn't recommend waiting for it to be available. Most SUVs of this size don't offer a third row because they lack the space to make it usable. And the placement of a third row tends to minimize cargo space, so it isn't much of an advantage in the real world.

The process of measuring trunk space in a sedan differs from that of the storage space in a hatchback or SUV, making direct comparisons difficult. That being said, just look at the Model Y's cargo area and you'll know that it has more space than the Model 3. In the rear, the Model Y also has two underfloor storage spaces — the Model 3 has just one.

It's also easier to hide your stuff in the Model 3's trunk compared to the Model Y. The Y doesn't even have a cargo cover, though its rear window is at least heavily tinted and angled, making it difficult to see what's inside.

Because all three vehicles don't have a traditional gasoline engine, the space under the hood serves as additional storage — call it a frunk. The sole interior storage measurement Tesla provides is "total enclosed cargo volume" at 68 cubic feet for the Y. While this number is larger than the Mach-E's (59.6 cubic feet behind the first row), Tesla doesn't say whether its figure includes frunk storage space. Ford lists that spec at 4.8 cubic feet.

2020_tesla_model-y_fint_fe_514201_717.jpg

2020 Tesla Model Y.


Performance Comparison: Model 3 vs. Model Y vs. Mustang Mach-E
We've owned five Teslas (a Model S, a Model X, two Model 3s and now a Model Y), and the driving performance of each has been highly engaging thanks to addicting acceleration and enjoyable steering. Even the less expensive and less powerful models still pack a punch around town. On the downside, the common trait between the two Model 3s we've owned and the Model Y Performance we currently have in our long-term fleet is subpar ride quality.

What's the Mach-E like to drive? While its Mustang name hints at plenty of potential, we'll have to wait until we're able to drive one. Ford says Mach-E acceleration targets for 0-60 mph start at the mid 6-second mark and can be as quick as the mid 3-second range. Those targets approximately overlap Tesla's claims for the currently available Model Y trim levels and our expectations for future, less expensive versions of the Model Y.

2020_tesla_model-3_actr34_fe_514201_717.jpg

2020 Tesla Model 3.

Edmunds Says
There's no question that the world of EVs is about to get a lot more interesting and that Tesla's position as the market leader will be challenged. The Mustang Mach-E is proof that Ford is finally recognizing what it takes to build a successful electric car. We'll reserve judgment until we've driven it, but in a photo studio and on paper, it looks set to be a potent rival to the Tesla Model 3 and Y.

Tesla will introduce more modestly priced versions of the Model Y probably early next year. When that happens we expect the Model Y will become the company's most popular vehicle. The extra versatility of the SUV body style is worth the relatively small increase in cost over the Model 3, especially if you lease the car as most EV customers do.

Can't wait for the cheaper Model Y or future Mach-E? The Standard Range Plus version of the Model 3 provides the best combination of performance and value, at least for now.
 
OP
OP
ChasingCoral

ChasingCoral

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Threads
375
Messages
12,402
Reaction score
24,516
Location
Maryland
Vehicles
GB E4X FE, Leaf, Tacoma, F-150 Lightning ordered
Occupation
Retired oceanographer
Country flag
Interesting calculation they’ve done on Ford’s EV sales. Edmunds figures Ford only has ~50,000 cars to sell before the Federal EV tax incentive drops. That’s means if you want the $7500, you’d better get a first year Mach E.

Timbop pointed out most of the 2021 Mach E sales are going to Europe/UK, so that means the 2022 Mach E buyers may still have a shot. It'll be interesting, though if Ford releases the F-150 BEV and Transit BEV in 2022.
 
Last edited:

jlauro

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
1,069
Reaction score
842
Location
Owosso, MI
Vehicles
2021 Infinite Blue AWD ER Mach-E
Country flag
Yes, the sales outside the US do not count toward Ford's 200,000. Also, the full credit is good for the next two quarters after the 200,000 is reached (4-6 months after reaching 200,000) and then goes in half.
 

jlauro

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
1,069
Reaction score
842
Location
Owosso, MI
Vehicles
2021 Infinite Blue AWD ER Mach-E
Country flag
Interesting calculation they’ve done on Ford’s EV sales. Edmunds figures Ford only has ~50,000 cars to sell before the Federal EV tax incentive drops. That’s means if you want the $7500, you’d better get a first year Mach E.
Early 2022 models will likely get the full credit. I could be wrong, but I would expect Ford to be timing it so that Mach E and other new 2022 EV models will all be eligible by limiting sales of the Mach-E first edition in the US so that other models will be late enough in 2021 that they will reach the 200,000 with under 6 months before the release of 2022 vehicles... Of course they can only shift time lines so much, but you know they will try maximize the last half year of full tax credit, but why else delay the GT model will not be out until summer 2021...

Current Ford EV sales: 120,795 (at end of 2019, only 8,235 for all of 2019)
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/irc-30d-plug-in-electric-drive-motor-vehicle-credit-quarterly-sales
 
Last edited:

dbsb3233

Well-Known Member
First Name
TimCO
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Threads
54
Messages
9,297
Reaction score
10,812
Location
Colorado, USA
Vehicles
2021 Mustang Mach-E FE, 2023 Bronco Sport OB
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
Early 2022 models will likely get the full credit.
I've been estimating full federal tax credit through roughly 2Q2022 since the virus pushed everything back a few months and put a big dent in demand for big ticket items like $50k+ vehicles.

But that depends on when the BEV F-150 comes out.
 


eager2own

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
720
Reaction score
983
Location
Southlake, TX
Vehicles
2015 Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid
Country flag
Of course they can only shift time lines so much, but you know they will try maximize the last half year of full tax credit, but why else delay the GT model will not be out until summer 2021...
The GT timeline isn't related to maximizing the tax credit. I suspect the production line is set up to manufacture the non-GTs first and then will be reset to do the GTs. With a limited production line, this is more efficient than trying to produce the very different models at the same time.
I don't think Ford is delaying production of approximately 6,000 US GTs and keeping the production line open for extra months for that reason.
 
OP
OP
ChasingCoral

ChasingCoral

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Threads
375
Messages
12,402
Reaction score
24,516
Location
Maryland
Vehicles
GB E4X FE, Leaf, Tacoma, F-150 Lightning ordered
Occupation
Retired oceanographer
Country flag
Another interesting discussion is the reviewers' disappointment in the Model Y's limited rear window visibility. This comes at about 16:30.
 

ab13

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
584
Reaction score
469
Location
California
Vehicles
Rav4 Hybrid
Country flag
Another interesting discussion is the reviewers' disappointment in the Model Y's limited rear window visibility. This comes at about 16:30.
It has a lot of limitations since it was based on the Model 3 and prioritizes range over features. The main load floor is only for 130 lbs. That's not even 3 full suitcases or 3 cases of water (6 one gallon).

It's the same rating as the Model 3.

From the manual:

"Caution: To avoid damage, never load
more than 130 lbs (60 kg) on the rear
load floor (above the lower trunk
compartment) or more than 285 lbs (130
kg) in the lower trunk compartment.
Doing so can cause damage."
 
Last edited:

dbsb3233

Well-Known Member
First Name
TimCO
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Threads
54
Messages
9,297
Reaction score
10,812
Location
Colorado, USA
Vehicles
2021 Mustang Mach-E FE, 2023 Bronco Sport OB
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
It has a lot of limitations since it was based on the Model 3 and prioritizes range over features. The main load floor is only for 130 lbs. That's not even 3 full suitcases or 3 cases of water (6 one gallon).

It's the same rating as the Model 3.

From the manual:

"Caution: To avoid damage, never load
more than 130 lbs (60 kg) on the rear
load floor (above the lower trunk
compartment) or more than 285 lbs (130
kg) in the lower trunk compartment.
Doing so can cause damage."
Another one of those split personality things about the Mach-e where it can't decide whether it's more of a sports car or more of a SUV/CUV.

Sports car won out on that one, just like it did with the weak ground clearance.
 

buzznwood

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2019
Threads
3
Messages
1,113
Reaction score
1,328
Location
california
Vehicles
focus st & GTPE
Country flag
Another interesting discussion is the reviewers' disappointment in the Model Y's limited rear window visibility. This comes at about 16:30.
Most modern cars have pretty poor rear visibility, the visibility out of either of my focus is poor, I expect the mach-e to be no different just looking at the c-pillar it is a going to block of quite a large part of the rear 3/4..

Thankfully unlike either my focus st / rs which have fallen foul to typical ford USA bean counting and do not have proper blind spot indicator mirrors like the euro versions (the replacement secondary mirror doesn't cut it at night time) for now at least the USA models of the mach-e haven't been beaten with the classic ford USA decontenting stick so the blind spot mirrors and 360 cameras will help. Besides having owned a 3dr sierra cosworth and escort cosworth in the past I am used to poor rear visibility lol
 

timbop

Well-Known Member
First Name
Tim
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Threads
63
Messages
6,729
Reaction score
13,758
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
Solar powered 2021 MME ER RWD & 2022 Corsair PHEV
Occupation
Software Engineer
Country flag
Another one of those split personality things about the Mach-e where it can't decide whether it's more of a sports car or more of a SUV/CUV.

Sports car won out on that one, just like it did with the weak ground clearance.
I think that limitation is on the y, not mach e. But, you are right the e is trying to be 3 things at once
 

Orangefirefish

Well-Known Member
First Name
SY
Joined
Mar 23, 2020
Threads
9
Messages
268
Reaction score
384
Location
USA
Vehicles
N/A
Country flag
I find it interesting that they list that they are unable to get to Tesla’s cited range. I assume they are charging to 100% vs the 90% recommended level. Any Tesla owners care to chime in? My understanding has always been that the regular Tesla use range is 90% of the stated range, since you are recommended to charge only to 90%, or even 80% for better longevity.

It will be interesting if Ford will recommend charging to 100% (meaning a 10-20% buffer is always built in, computer controlled, and unusable). If the cited range is something that drivers can consistently get without having to limit charging to 80-90%, then it would be fantastic for MME buyers. This explanation makes the large range gap between the Model Y (315) and SR AWD MME (210) more reasonable, (comparing these since they have similar sized batteries and drivetrains). In other words, if the cited range of the MME is actually based upon 80% of the full battery capacity, then the fair comparison is 252 from the Model Y, compared to 210 from SR MME AWD, which would make sense given better expected efficiency from Tesla. I don’t expect that Tesla is actually 50% more efficient than Ford, even given their expertise.
There is a downside to this conjecture, of course, in that the MME wouldn’t actually be able to charge to 100% if needed, unless an override function is enabled.

Also I would expect Ford to get a better than estimated EPA range, given the slew of information coming out where the vehicle is performing better than initially specified/announced.
 

Nak

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Threads
10
Messages
441
Reaction score
524
Location
Camas, Washington
Vehicles
Tesla Model Y Performance, Tesla Model 3, 1992 K1500 Blazer
Country flag
I find it interesting that they list that they are unable to get to Tesla’s cited range. I assume they are charging to 100% vs the 90% recommended level. Any Tesla owners care to chime in? My understanding has always been that the regular Tesla use range is 90% of the stated range, since you are recommended to charge only to 90%, or even 80% for better longevity.
I have an AWD 3 and a Performance Y, and I have no problem getting the rated range on either one of them at ambient temps from 50F to 70F with the 3 and 30F to 70F with the Y. The 3 suffers a bit, maybe 5% from 30F to 50F. The Y--probably due to it's heat pump--doesn't see range degradation in that range. (I don't have experience with the cars outside of that temp range yet.) This is at 60 - 65 mph in mild rolling hills. (Portland to Seattle on I-5.) Bump it to 70 - 75 and you lose 10% to 12% or so. Take it to 80 mph and you see about a 20% - 22% penalty. 80 mph in heavy rain will easily knock 25% off.

Up to 90% charge is recommended for daily use, with 100% charge being fine for trips. (I keep it to 80% for daily use; there's no reason to go more.) If you charge it to 100% three days in a row you'll get a pop up reminder to try and keep it in the "daily use" range for normal driving.

The rear inside mirror visibility is worse in the Y than the 3, but it's better in the side mirrors. Overall, the Y has better rear visibility than the 3. One big caveat is that without the back up camera it would be terrifying to back up the Y. But it does have a great camera, so no big deal. If the camera failed you'd need to get out of the car to look behind it before you backed up.

BTW, the Y is obviously NOT based on the 3. While they share the same drive train, controls and dash, other than that they are very different cars. Differences include: all of the sheet metal, all of the glass, the lower structure, the wheels & tires, the wiring, storage, towing, visibility, performance, suspension, ground clearance, seating position, HVAC system, NVH measures, door structure, etc, etc. The Sandy Munro Model Y tear down video series makes it abundantly clear how different the two cars are. Yes there are commonalities where it makes sense--seats, display, stuff like that--but that's just good manufacturing.

The Y is the first Tesla that Munro has given a thumbs up to. It's really better in almost every way than the older cars. This is good news for Mach-e fans. I promise you Ford is paying attention and will be even more likely to up their game with the Mach-e.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj--iMtToRO_cGG_fpmP5XQ/videos
Sponsored

 
 




Top