The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is certainly ruffling some feathers and revolutionizing the EV world. Some are concerned that an electric version of the iconic muscle car just won’t be able to measure up in the performance department. The Mustang Mach-E may be new, but it isn’t Ford’s first rodeo. So, can the spirit of the classic Mustang come to life in this re-imagined performance SUV?

The MotorTrend team took the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E for a spin on the drag strip and beyond. You might be pretty shocked to learn that this all-electric Ford can hold its own against some of the fiercest EV performance beasts on the road. It proves, at least in this review, that it belongs in the company of performance.

Just how fast are those ponies in a sprint?

Can an electric car really go that fast? Yes, yes, it can. The MotorTrend team eased their Mustang Mach-E over to the drag strip with a 94 percent charge on the battery. They anticipated the first run would be its strongest. And on the scale of quickness, anything that reaches 30 mph in under 2.0 seconds is considered fast.

With no need to warm up, the punch-and-go dynamics proved the Mustang Mach-E has earned its right to compete with the top performance vehicles on the track. It may not be the muscle car of yesterday, but there is a stallion powering the Mach-E. And it’s rearing to take on some competition.

How the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E competes

With a 1.9-second sprint to 30 mph, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is only one-tenth of a second behind the BMW X3’s 503-hp performance. It’s just shy of the Tesla Model Y Dual Motor Long Range model’s drag strip dash too.

As the testing continued, the Mach-E hit 60 mph in a super-fast 4.8 seconds, only 0.7 seconds behind the Model Y. And while the Mach-E slowed with each race and the gap widened between the Mustang and the Model Y, the Mach-E earned a best-lap time of 26.2 seconds. That’s only a second slower than the Tesla Model Y’s best lap time.

The first impressions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E so far

It may not dominate the track just yet, but the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is proving it deserves to run with the pack. First impressions from critics who drive it include, “Wow, I was not expecting this!” It’s a fun and balanced ride, in part due to its two electric motors cranking 428 lb-ft of torque off the line. That’s almost 20 lb-ft more than the Ford F-150’s V8 engine.

The other first impression remark that seems to be prevalent is just how heavy this SUV is, according to Car and Driver. It feels robust and sturdy – as it should since it weighs 4,807 pounds, which is heavier than a Ford Explorer XLT.

Potential areas for improvement

The increased weight of the batteries can count against the Mustang Mach-E. Those who drive it can certainly feel at the helm of a heavy machine. Others say the drive can feel precise, but the steering springy at times, which is something you’d have to get used to handling. Some critics like at The Car Connection point out other less-than-impressive features, not performance-related, including dislikes about the hatch panels and limited cargo. But hey, no one can be perfect the first time out of the gate, right?

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is not your classic pony ride, so don’t expect it to handle like your gas-powered muscle car. But it is proving that it’s ready to compete in the performance arena as an all-electric variation. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find another crossover, gas or hybrid, with the character, personality, and potential of the Mustang Mach-E. And it may only get better from here.