Fullscreen
Drag Race: Mustang Mach-E GT vs Tesla Model Y Performance
The Ford has more power but the Tesla is lighter. Which EV Crossover will dominate the 1/4 mile? Read on to find out
by Khris Bharath, on LISTEN 03:58The guys at Edmunds recently had a chance to pit the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance against the popular Tesla Model Y Performance in a series of quarter-mile drag races and a roll race.
Overview
Based on the Tesla Model 3, the Model Y has pretty much had the compact electric crossover market to itself for the longest time. But Ford is also looking at a slice of that pie with their Mustang Mach-E GT Performance.
Now, these two compact all-electric crossovers are pretty much evenly matched when it comes to price (with only $1000 between them) and power. But what about outright speed? Well, you’re about to find out as to which one is quicker over the ¼ mile at Willow Springs?
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance
You’ve got Ryan Zummallen in a very yellow Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance, that’s rocking dual motors. It has a combined power output of 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque and weighs 4997 pounds. The Mustang as tested comes in at a shy under 70 grand i.e. $69,800.
Tesla Model Y Performance
In the red corner, we have Travis Langness in a Tesla Model Y Performance that also features dual electric motors. The guys didn’t have the exact power figures but they estimate that the Model Y Performance produces about 450 horsepower and about 500-pound feet of torque, tipping the scales at 4419 pounds, a little under 600 pounds lighter than the Ford. This particular example tested here comes in at around $68,700.
Will the Tesla’s weight win over Ford’s higher power figures?
Round 1
Both EVs were set to the sportiest setting available, and with that let’s go. Round one was a simple quarter-mile drag. Three, two, one, Go!! And surprise surprise it’s the Mustang that’s ahead. The Ford got a spectacular launch and was in the lead for a bit before the Model Y caught up with it and drove past taking round one. Just to be absolutely sure with this result, the pair turn around and decide to go once again.
Round 2
To make things just a little interesting this time, Ryan has a little trick up his sleeve in the Ford. He turns off the Mustang’s traction control to see if he’ll have an edge, and it worked. They’re off once again, and this time the Ford got an even better launch and was able to stay in the lead for a little longer, however once again the Model Y reeled in the Ford and managed to get past it, by the time they got to the quarter-mile line. So that’s round two to the Tesla Model Y Performance once again.
Roll Race
It was now time for a roll race from 30 miles per hour. They mash the gas pedal once the pair get past the cones. However, it looked like the Model Y was a tad bit ahead of the Mustang at the cones. The lighter Model Y once again pulled a big lead on the Ford. Did it gain an unfair advantage? Do you think that they should’ve staged another pass to make things fair? You be the judge.
Conclusion
To sum it up, Ford has a compelling product with the new Mustang Mach-E and the GT line certainly does take the fight up to the Model Y Performance rather well. Ryan says that he was more comfortable in the Mustang, which also had more power and torque, but when it comes to outright acceleration and speed, it’s the lighter Tesla Model Y that reigned supreme on this particular occasion and it was the Ford’s added weight that cost it this win.
