The Tesla Model 3 is still considered one of the best electric cars on the market, but the Mustang Mach-E has now entered the fray. A muscle car icon turned EV, the Mach-E might be controversial by its very nature, but its driver appeal could just help it pip the beloved Tesla.

So how does these two American EVs compare with one another? We pit them against one another to see how they score for design, features, range, charging. Read on to discover whether the Model 3 or Mach-E is the right car for you.

Design

Two very different cars and the designs of both demonstrate this from the off. The Tesla Model 3 is a large, executive saloon, whereas the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a sporty SUV with a coupe-like roofline.

Mustang enthusiasts will notice that the Mach-E daringly uses the car’s logo on which it’s based, with no Ford logo anywhere to be seen. The rest of the car’s look measures up to its sporty nature, however, with a long, wide, muscular body the electric Mustang has a good presence on the road. There are even the Mustang’s signature LED taillights and the puddle light Mustang symbol when you open the doors which are bound to please fans of the original model.

On the other hand, the Model 3 might not be as heavily styled as the sporty Mustang Mach-E, but it comes with a futuristic look. All Model 3 trims get a minamlist, clean design which doesn’t have as many defining features on the grille, like inlets and contrast-colour surround.

One feature the Model 3 does have over the Mustang Mach-E is a panoramic roof which allows plenty of light to flood into the cabin. Only limited volume ‘First Edition’ versions of the Mach-E had this, though they’re difficult to get hold of.

Interior design and space

Interior design

Inside both these cars the first thing you’ll notice is the monstrous-sized infotainment systems on the dashboards. The one in the Tesla Model 3 is slightly smaller than the one in the Mustang Mach-E (15.5in versus 15in), while the orientation is different too – landscape in the Tesla, portrait in the Ford.

In terms of usability, the one in the Model 3 just about beats the Mustang Mach-E’s, but the one in the ‘Stang is still good. You won’t be able to get quirky features such as driving games you can play controlling the steering wheel while you’re stationary, but these aren’t a deal breaker. Plus, the Mustang Mach-E gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity as standard, whereas this isn’t available on any Model 3.

One thing we like about the Ford Mustang Mach E’s dashboard setup is that you get driver information such as speed, range and battery percentage on a 10.2in digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel. This is a much more convenient layout than the Model 3’s, which only displays this on the big central touchscreen and can be quite distracting on the move.

Both these cars have a premium build quality that are vegan too, so don’t feature any leather or other animal products. This will be a big selling point for the more environmentally-friendly of you out there.

Space

Despite the Ford Mustang Mach-E being styled like a coupe (i.e. it has a sloping roofline) there’s still more headroom in the back for passengers than in the Tesla Model 3. It’s also a longer car too, so knee room for people over six foot sat in the back is way more generous compared to the Tesla.

Where the Tesla Model 3 makes up for these slight shortcomings though is in the front. The driver and front passenger are treated to far better cubby spaces and door bins that make storing loose items or big bottles of drink far better than in the Mach-E.

If you’re looking for a true family car that can carry people and their belongings, the Mustang Mach-E is the outright winner here. A 402-litre boot at the back and 81-litre ‘frunk’ combines to give you a total of 483 litres of usable storage space, compared with 425 litres in the Model 3.

Performance and price

If you were to ask us, we’d stick with the standard versions of both these cars to strike the best balance between performance, range and price.

Both the entry-level Tesla Model 3 and Ford Mustang Mach-E come with rear-wheel drive and a single, powerful electric motor driving the back wheels.

So, which ones the quickest? This award goes to the Model 3, which in Standard Range Plus guise can do 0-60mph in just 5.3 seconds. It has a massive 271bhp electric motor which properly kicks in when you put your foot down, mostly thanks to there being no combustion process for the torque to kick in.

It makes the Mustang Mach-E feel fairly slow in comparison, especially when you stick with the Standard Range RWD spec. This version of the Mach-E does 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds.

Both are matched for range in their entry-level specs too, with a real-world range of around 215 miles – plenty by the modern day driver’s standards. However, the Mach-E Extended Range RWD version has can claim to have one of the best ranges of any EV on the market today (around 379 miles), topping the Model 3’s Long Range alternative (360 miles).

If engaging handling is what you’re looking for, we’d recommend looking at the Model 3, particularly because it handles better than most electric cars. Look at top-end Performance editions of the car and you’ll get a sportier suspension that sures up the handling even more.

One thing to consider is the unique offering the Model 3 has in the shape of its ‘Autopilot’ lane-keping and cruise control system. It does a very good job of keeping you a safe distance and in the centre of the lane while driving on the motorway. There’s no autonomous driving system quite like it in terms of its advanced technology, though you should remember that you’ll still need to be in charge of the vehicle.

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