Edmunds Slams Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Acceleration in Comparison with Tesla Model Y
Edmunds was able to drive the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT in a comparison test with the Tesla Model Y Performance, and the results from the Ford EV were surprising. In some areas, the Mach-E performed as expected. In other areas, the performance version of the popular EV did not live up to expectations. Unfortunately, it flat-out disappointed in some of the tests.
Edmunds compared the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT with the Tesla Model Y in a variety of tests
The experts at Edmunds purchased a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition to do some routine testing. Overall, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has been a hit, but the new Mach-E GT Performance Edition is a whole new ball game. During testing, Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds found that the Mustang Mach-E performed well during the handling and braking tests. However, the acceleration was disappointing.
In a world where acceleration is an integral part of switching to an electric vehicle, what made the GT EV so underwhelming? This version was supposed to be a performance version of the regular Mustang Mach-E, which accelerates just fine. The GT comes with Pirelli P Zero summer tires, larger brakes, plus an adaptive sport suspension.
The braking tests showed an improvement over the regular Mach-E. But when it came to the acceleration test, it didn’t go as well. Ford claims the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition has a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Edmunds testing found it at 3.8 seconds, behind the Tesla Model Y Performance at 3.7 seconds.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition did not perfor
The Tesla Model Y Performance ran the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds at 115.6 mph. The Mustang Mach-E GT managed the same quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 102.6 mph. Edmunds said it felt like the car was holding back at the end of the run. Toward the end of the day, the Mach-E seemed to lose power while going around corners.
“Any way you slice it, 13 mph is a huge deficit at the quarter-mile mark — and 102.6 mph is an exceptionally low trap speed for a car that breaks the 4-second barrier to 60 mph.”
Edmunds
Such issues were not present with the Model Y. Edmunds contacted Ford about the acceleration issue. “The GT has around 5 seconds of [maximum] boost, so once that boost is used up, it needs to recharge,” Ford responded. Edmunds clarified that this means the Mach-E only accelerates for five seconds before it needs a break. The Tesla Model Y had no such issues. For a test with two performance electric vehicles going head to head, the Mustang Mach-E GT was underwhelming.
Five seconds of acceleration isn’t going to appease drivers
The experts at Edmunds said that it wasn’t all bad. The Mustang Mach-E was “more refined and capable” in some situations than the Tesla Model Y. But the acceleration issue had a significant impact on the overall impression. Plus, that won’t work with a buyer who is looking for a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition.
Did Ford release the GT too early? The regular Mustang Mach-E does a fine job, but it isn’t the performance version. Ford might be stuck with a lot of Mach-E GT versions if regular drivers agree with this assessment. You don’t have to be on track to notice a lack of power after five seconds. Tesla has always been scrutinized, but it was also the only performance electric vehicle option for a while. Now that the Tesla Model Y has “real” competition from a big name brand like Ford, it looks like Tesla might have been doing something right all along.
