Ford has been in the electric car game for a while now with several hybrid offerings over the years, but the 2021 Mustang Mach-E represents a major step forward for the automaker. Not only are they bringing the iconic Mustang into the electric age, but it will be one of the first EVs to offer the BlueCruise Level 2 advanced driving assistance system (ADAS).

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y has been in production since 2020 and is Tesla’s first electric crossover SUV, available in two versions: Long Range and Performance.

If you’re looking for a luxury electric car without the price tag of a Porsche or Jaguar, both of these models should be on your shortlist.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Mach-E vs Model Y and how they compare to other crossovers.

Mach-E vs Model Y: Overview

The Mustang Mach-E lets you know right away that this isn’t your traditional Ford.

For one, it doesn’t have any door handles or a key slot. Instead, drivers can access the car with a digital key via the FordPass app or type a SecuriCode into the keypad.

It also projects a silhouette of the iconic pony logo onto the ground below the driver’s side door, keeping with the Mustang branding.

The Tesla Model Y, on the other hand, looks like a slightly larger version of the Model 3, but is classified as a crossover SUV rather than a mid-size sedan.

Like the Mach-E, the Model Y supports keyless entry if you purchase a key fob ($175) or use the Phone Key feature.

The Mach-E can be charged using either a Type 2 charger or a CCS connection, while the Model Y is designed to be charged on Tesla’s Supercharger network.

Pricing and Trim Levels

When it comes to electric car costs, the Model Y and Mach-E are in the same general ballpark, with the Mach-E starting at $42,895 and the Model Y starting at $53,990.

The Mach-E comes in four trim options:

	Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)	EPA-Estimated Range
Select	$42,895	230 miles
Premium	$47,600	300 miles
California Route 1	$50,400	305 miles
GT	$59,900	270 miles

The major difference is range, with the Select trim boasting a driving range of 230 miles, and the California Route 1 offering 305 miles with an Extended-Range battery.

The Tesla Model Y originally came in additional configurations, but the Standard Range is no longer available. The two remaining trims are Long Range and Performance:

	Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)	EPA-Estimated Range
Model Y Long Range	$53,990	326 miles
Model Y Performance	$60,990	303 miles

The Model Y Long Range starts at $53,990 and has an estimated range of 326 miles. The Performance edition costs $60,990, with a range of 303 miles.

If you’re deciding between the Mach-E vs Model Y, it’s worth noting that Ford vehicles are still eligible for the electric car tax credit, which can drop the purchase price to as low as $35,395 if you receive the full $7,500 tax credit.

Teslas aren’t currently eligible for the federal tax credit, but you may qualify for state or local electric vehicle incentives.

Mach-E vs Model Y: In-Depth Comparison

Once you get past the surface differences, there are still plenty of other features that set these two crossover SUVs apart. From handling and performance to cargo space, here are the most notable similarities and differences between the two vehicles.

Under the Hood

The Ford Mustang Mach-E comes in four primary trims, but you have additional options to choose from when it comes to horsepower and battery capacity.

For example, the Select trim comes with a 68-kilowatt-hour battery, while the California Route 1 and GT trims have a larger 88-kWh battery. The Premium trim comes with the option of either the Standard Range or Extended Range battery pack.

Horsepower ranges from 266 HP with the Select trim to 480 HP with the GT trim, while acceleration ranges from 3.5 to 6.1 seconds.

The Mustang Mach-E GT has larger wheels (20 inches), compared to the 18- or 19-inch wheels available on the other trim configurations. You’ll also have the option of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or electric all-wheel drive (eAWD), depending on which configuration you choose.

	Powertrain	Acceleration (0-60 mph)	Horsepower	Wheels
Select	RWD/eAWD	5.2-5.8 seconds	266 HP	18” or 19”
Premium	RWD/eAWD	4.8-6.1 seconds	266-346 HP	19”
California Route 1	RWD	6.1 seconds	290 HP	18”
GT	eAWD	3.5-3.8 seconds	480 HP	20”

The Model Y is only available in two trims, but there are still some differences between them. Both the Long Range and Performance editions have a 75-kWh battery capacity and a dual motor all-wheel drive powertrain.

The Model Y Performance edition has larger wheels (21 inches) and more horsepower (456 HP), while the Long Range version offers 19- or 20-inch wheels and 348 HP.

	Powertrain	Acceleration (0-60 mph)	Horsepower	Wheels
Long Range AWD	Dual motor AWD	4.8 seconds	384 HP	19” or 20”
Performance	Dual motor AWD	3.5 seconds	456 HP	21”

Interior Features

The interior of a car is just as important as the exterior, and both Ford and Tesla have taken pains to ensure a balance of comfort and functionality.

In the Mach-E, that means a 15.5-inch touchscreen, as well as a dashboard display with a speedometer and other digital gauges. You’ll also get 29 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, which doubles to 60 if you fold down the back seats.

Other interior features include heated front seats and a steering wheel, wireless device charging, and a sunroof. The Mach-E is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more, and can be customized with up to three different driver profiles.

The Tesla Model Y has more cargo space — up to 68 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down — and room for up to seven people with an optional third row. You’ll also get a glass roof to provide an increased sense of spaciousness.

The dashboard sticks with Tesla’s minimalist aesthetic, with a button-free design and a 15-inch infotainment screen that updates automatically over Wi-Fi.

The Driving Experience

Finally, it’s important to compare the driving experience itself, including each car’s range and battery capacity and autonomous driving capabilities.

Range

The Model Y Long Range beats the Mach-E with an EPA-estimated range of 326 miles, but the California Route 1 trim comes close at 305 miles of range.

The Mach-E takes 14 hours to charge using 220-volt Level 2 charging, while the Tesla Model Y takes 10 hours to reach full battery capacity.

Since the Model Y can charge at 250 kW at a Supercharger station, it’s the clear winner based on how long it takes to change an electric car battery. At that rate, it can reach an 80% charge in around 20 minutes.

The Mach-E can only charge at 150 kW hours on a fast-charging network, so it will take up to 45 minutes to reach the same level of charge.

Driver Assist Features

As for driver assist and ADAS features, Ford is catching up to Tesla’s Autopilot system with the launch of BlueCruise, available in the Mach-E and upcoming F-150 Lightning.

BlueCruise offers steering and acceleration control, autonomous parallel parking, and more, and will even let you take your hands off the wheel in some situations, including hands-free driving on some divided highways.

Tesla’s Autopilot system has been around for longer, and includes many of the same features — but if you want access to the Full Self-Driving mode, you’ll have to pay an additional $10,000 when you order your Tesla.

Both BlueCruise and Autopilot are Level 2 autonomous driving systems, so they won’t do the driving for you, but they can make your job a little easier.

Which Electric SUV or Crossover Is Right for You?

Both the Mach-E and Model Y are luxury crossover SUVs that make use of the latest technology to offer impressive driver assistance features and range.

The Model Y’s starting price is significantly more expensive, but you may be able to find a used Tesla, such as a Model Y Standard Range, at a more affordable price.

Another option is to lease a Tesla, which can open doors to the latest Tesla models at a lower monthly price than buying one outright.

If you’re considering a new Ford Mustang Mach-E, remember that you may be eligible for a $7,500 federal income tax credit.

If that’s still out of your price range, you can use this tool to search for electric cars near you or consider these other SUV alternatives.