Motor Trend test of standard range RWD Mach-E

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2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD First Test: A Very Cool Electric Pony (motortrend.com)

 

Previously, we tested an all-wheel-drive 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with the extended-range battery option. This test puts us in the driver's seat of a rear-wheel-drive Mach-E with the Premium trim package. Our Mach-E has a standard-range 68-kWh battery pack that feeds power to a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle and a one-speed transmission that drives the rear wheels. This model generates 266 hp and 317 lb-ft and is good for an EPA-rated 230 miles of range on a charge.

Naysayers can yammer on, but this electric Mustang is one hell of a sporty ride. When accelerating hard through turns, it's easy to balance the car on the edge of a slide as you balance the accelerator and steering. Of the three available drive modes, Unbridled (which normal people would call "sport") adds extra punch, so that was the default for the night. One-pedal driving takes some getting used to; nonetheless, the braking in this mode is outstanding. At slower speeds, there was no need to mash the brake pedal at stop signs or traffic lights. On curving roads, the Mach-E electric SUV reveals its precise steering and handling.

How did the rear-drive Mach-E perform during our instrumented testing? The team recorded a best 0-60-mph run of 6.0 seconds—1.2 seconds behind the dual-motor Mach-E 4x. On the figure-eight course, it logged a lap in 26.8 seconds at 0.65 average g, 0.6 second and 0.04g off the 4x's pace. Stopping from 60 mph took 118 feet, 9 feet longer than the AWD version.

Compared to that 384-hp Model Y Dual Motor Long Range we previously tested, the 266-hp rear-drive Mach-E is 1.9 seconds slower to 60 mph—a closer result than you might expect given the all-wheel-drive Tesla's traction and power advantages. Interestingly, both the Model Y and Mach-E RWD require the same stopping distance of 118 feet from 60 mph.