If there is one segment that's gathering steam quicker than mid-sized crossovers, that would probably be the EV crossover and American automakers are leading the charge in this space with two of the hottest contenders, i.e., the Tesla Model Y and the Ford Mustang Mach E. Does the Mustang Mach-E pack enough to dethrone Tesla's reign? Here are eight reasons that tip the scales in favor of the Mach-E and four reasons that make a case for the Model Y.

Where the Mustang Mach-E Wins

Better Interior

Ford might not be as big a company now as Tesla, on paper, but it has been in the game for far longer, and its experience shows where it matters. The interior of the Mach-E is much more conventional and has loads of different textures and finishes. The dual-display approach which makes use of a separate readout placed in front of the driver for displaying speed, range, etc to mimic a conventional instrumental cluster is also less distracting than the Model Y's single-screen approach. Tesla's minimalistic aura does look futuristic, but unless you suffer from severe OCD or lead an ultra-minimalist life, the plain grey interiors with one huge slab in the middle will get old fast.

The Ford crossover not only does better with finishes, but the use of physical controls to adjust things like the steering, side mirrors, volume, and aircon just makes it easier to live with and makes the transition to an EV a relatively hassle-free process as opposed to a Tesla, which has a steeper learning curve in comparison.

Better use of Space

Both, the Mach-E and Model Y, are supposed to be practical family crossovers, so the amount of space on offer and how they utilize it is paramount in this discussion. And, for what it's worth, the Mach-E has a slight edge in this area as well. Both offer roomy cabins, but the rear seats on the Mach-E manage to feel roomier and offer more leg and shoulder room, making it more suited to longer journeys. And, even though it has a smaller boot than the Model Y, the frunk is a different story. Not only does Ford offer partitions that help your groceries from flying around, it even has a drain plug, giving you space to stow away your cold beer, and it doesn't get more American than that!

Better Build quality

Build quality is one area that has haunted Tesla since its inception, and though things have improved for the brand, it's still no match to the Ford. The Mach-E has consistent panel gaps, better paint quality with no obvious orange peel effect, and the hinges and body panels just feel more reassuring than the Model Y. The same story continues on the interior where the plastic quality and interior touchpoints feel notably better and the use of various textures and fabrics lends it an air of quality that is somewhat missing in the Tesla.

Better practicality

Both these vehicles are classified as crossovers and though the high seating position and higher ground clearance are perks that some people seek, most owners will never take these vehicles off-road, and not all people buying these crossovers will live in icy conditions and Ford realizes that. This is why the Mach-E is also offered with RWD which not only brings the costs down, but it also reduced weight and increases range, thus making it more practical than the AWD-only Tesla Model Y.

It is a strange argument to bring up now and then, but the Mach-E does a better job at being a regular car and it is an underrated attribute. In the practicality department, Ford has managed to take note of the smaller things that make the Mach-E an easier car to live with starting with the inclusion of blind-spot monitoring, something that is downright easier to figure out in the Ford than in the Model Y.

Better Looks

The subject of looks always comes down to taste, but the fact is Mach-E's controversial styling cues that Ford ripped off from the Mustang do lend it a pleasing aesthetic. Its coupe-like silhouette combined with the Mustang-inspired taillight and headlight design does make it stand out. The Model Y, on the other hand, looks too plain and familiar, which might work for some people, but the fact that it looks just like a jacked Model 3 takes away from its identity, and as a result, a large number of people believe that Mach-E has an edge in the styling department.

Better functionality

Tesla's tech was leaps and bounds ahead of the industry when it first dropped onto the automotive scene, and since then, every Tesla's party piece has been its massive central touchscreen that lets you play games and make fart noises. But in 2022, it continues to suffer from some glaring omissions such as the lack of Apple Car Play and Android Auto, which the Mustang Mach-E's 15.5-inch central screen has managed to integrate, greatly improving the functionality on everyday commutes. The Mach-E also packs in a 360-degree camera as standard, which is yet another omission seen on the Model Y.

Better Regenerative Braking

Tesla might have an edge over the Mach-E in the numbers game with higher performance figures, but the Mach-E manages to be a very easy car to drive. Regen braking is an integral part of an EV driving experience and the Mach-E's calibration makes it feel a lot more natural, something that can't be said for the Model-Y.

Better Pricing

One key area in which the Mustang Mach-E completely blows the Model Y out of the water is in the pricing department. The 2022 Mach-E carries a base price of $43,895 as opposed to the 2022 Tesla Model Y which starts at $58,990. Even though their top-spec models are closely matched in terms of pricing, the Mach-E offers a much more approachable entry point into the same segment, giving it an edge over the Tesla.

Where The Tesla Model Y Trumps!

But, it's not all good news for the Mustang Mach-E, so here are four areas where the Tesla Model Y outshines the Mustang Mach-E:

Better performance and driving dynamics

When it comes to outright performance and driving engagement, the Tesla is still the king of the hill. It's not just the manic acceleration that makes the Tesla a hoot to drive, but the Model Y has sharper and more responsive steering that weighs up nicely at high speeds without feeling cumbersome at city speeds. The Tesla also feels more planted, which is partly due to its heavier curb weight and also the fact that the Model Y features a well-judged suspension that outperforms the Mach-E in almost every scenario.

Better Charging Infrastructure

Now we come to the biggest chink in the Mach-E's armor, i.e., the charging infrastructure. Tesla ownership is not just about the car you buy, but it’s the ecosystem that comes with it, which primarily includes Tesla's robust and unmatched supercharger network. And, though the Electrified America network that the Mach-E relies on is picking up steam, it's still nowhere near Tesla's supercharger network in terms of scale and convenience.

Superior Battery management

Even though Ford has managed to pack in bigger batteries with the Mach-E, Tesla continues to outshine the Ford by offering a better range despite having a noticeably smaller battery pack. This not only suggests that Tesla's motors are more efficient, but Tesla is also continually improving the range with software updates on all of its vehicles. Even though the bump might seem negligible, it continues to showcase that it is the undisputed king in the EV propulsion business.

Better software

Even though Ford has tried its best to one-up the Tesla's with its 15.5-inch touchscreen, which is a full half an inch bigger than the one you find in the Model Y and it gets a fancy dial baked in along with the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, it's still no match for the Model-Y slick software. Not only does Tesla's screen offer much better app support with integration from Netflix and the ability to play PlayStation games when parked, it's just a slicker system that never stutters. The Mach-E's system has been a buggy and glitchy mess since day one, and even though Ford is promising to make things better with OTA updates, the UI still feels inferior to Tesla's proprietary software.