When purchasing anything to enhance your quality of life, the underlying rule is “you get what you pay for.” Whether it’s a lovely house in a good neighborhood, an exquisite bottle of scotch, or most notably, a vehicle with all the features and trimmings necessary for your enjoyment, all of these items are usually thought to come with a hefty price tag. With fuel prices being in the unpredictable situation that they’re currently in, and more emphasis and encouragement being placed on taking better care of the environment, the EV is considered by many to be the ideal and viable solution to both of these matters.
One company that’s become known for its elevation of the EV is Tesla. While still a relatively new entity in the automotive industry, it has achieved a status commonly held by brands such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz as a symbol of both sophistication and quality. While its popularity continues to grow, it has some considerable adversaries to face off against if it wishes to be better than the rest. The most notable of these is Ford. Ford has been a cornerstone of Americana for over a century and has weathered every storm that has come its way. With the fiery young upstart challenging the veteran, it’s only fitting to look at an EV from each manufacturer and analyze which one is worth purchasing and which is worth passing up. It’s the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Tesla Model Y.
MSRP and Cost-Effectiveness
When it comes to owning an SUV, there are two directions you can go. First, there’s the path of practicality. The SUV has cornered the market when it comes to this. Whether you’re someone whose life is family-oriented or you just want something with a little more space than a sedan, the SUV provides a viable solution to both situations. Then, there are those among us who decide to take the road less traveled. While practicality is good for some, others know that the right vehicle can serve as an extension of their personality.
The Mustang Mach-E and the Model Y combine the best of these elements. While practical for the daily commute, they elevate their status. If you’re shopping for either a Tesla or a Mustang, you have a keen eye for style and flair and understand that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If these are important, you should consider how much you’ll pay and what you’ll pay for.
Tesla is a brand revered by those who follow both style and science. The Model Y starts at a hefty MSRP of $65,990, nearly double the average price for an SUV. The higher-than-average pricing doesn’t stop here, so buyers beware. Tesla vehicles also carry higher insurance premiums and repair costs. You’ll be paying a lot for the recognition of owning one. Of course, the rude awakening that comes around tax time will be pretty noticeable. While tax rebates are available for most EV consumers, Tesla vehicles are not eligible for this opportunity.
On the other hand, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is available for the federal tax credit, and the purchase of one can afford you an income tax rebate of up to $7,500, depending on your total tax liability. And, as we’ll see very shortly, it provides all of the advantages of a Tesla Model Y for a considerably lower price. When it comes to the cost-effectiveness of a vehicle, things begin with the MSRP, which is where we’ll begin in this examination. Starting at $43,895, Ford’s prestigious SUV is priced higher than some of its contemporaries in its class. However, unlike the Model Y, the price margins aren’t so drastic that they make an astronomical gap. The highly anticipated Volkswagen ID.4, for example, is very close in price range, and choosing between the two models will more or less all come down to whether you’re a supporter of the blue oval or the people’s car.
We offer this brief comparison to better understand the gap between Tesla and Ford and their respective offerings. The highest trim level for the Mustang Mach-E, known as the GT Performance Edition, is still cheaper than the introductory trim of the Model Y. So, even if you decide to go all out with Ford, you’ll still be paying a lower price than for a Tesla.
What You Get for the Price You Pay
We’ve poked and prodded the prices you pay for either a Mustang Mach-E or a Model Y. The question now becomes a matter of what you get for what you pay. Starting with the range of each vehicle, we’ll attempt to assess which one comes out on top as the superior entry. Both vehicles have a rather impressive range. The Model Y can go up to 330 miles on a single charge, which narrowly outperforms the Mustang’s ability to travel up to 314 miles. It’s certainly a close call to make. The EPA estimates that both vehicles can save consumers nearly $2,000 a year in fuel costs. This speaks to both brands’ ability to apply the latest and greatest technology to their EVs and the cost-effectiveness of saying goodbye to gasoline.
In terms of being practical, the Model Y finds a way to outshine the Mach-E when it comes to providing an ample amount of storage space. While the Mach-E’s offers up to 59.7 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, Tesla outshines Ford by extending this number to 72.1 cu.ft. Regarding the rest of the interior, both designs won’t win any awards from Gucci in terms of providing style. The most noticeable attribute of the Mustang’s interior is its 15.5″ vertical infotainment screen which certainly lends itself to the unique nature that the Mustang has always had. All of the controls for the Tesla are programmable in its 15″ touchscreen, which is turned horizontal. By all accounts, the Model Y’s interface has many features but isn’t exactly user-friendly. You might want to consider doing some thorough research on the interface and its methods of operation.
The Final Verdict
While both vehicles are similar, the purchase of a Tesla is more about a fancy nameplate and over-the-top design. While the brand offers a lot of sizzle, you won’t find too much steak. You can easily afford a Ford that can go similar distances and be cheaper to insure and service for thousands of dollars less. Ultimately, the Tesla Model Y is a status symbol out of reach of the average driver.
As Ford has done for multiple generations, it has kept its place on top of the mountain, and the Mustang once again retains its domination in the world of unsurpassed quality. Perhaps owning a Tesla will elevate your status, and you might turn heads, but in the long run, you’ll be paying a lot more for just a little extra attention. The Ford Mustang Mach-E manages to provide all of the same attributes for a much lower cost. You’ll be turning just as many heads and be just as comfortable as the jet set, all while paying a much lower price.
