Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Prius: Which Is Better?

Key Points

• The Ford Mustang Mach-E boasts 346 horsepower and all-wheel drive, while the 2023 Toyota Prius has 139 horsepower and front-wheel drive.
• The Mustang Mach-E has an average range of 270 miles on a single charge, while the Prius has a combined fuel efficiency of 52 miles per gallon.
• Both vehicles offer robust safety features, including automated emergency braking and forward collision warnings.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E has been a welcome entry to the EV market. Coupling American muscle car power with affordable pricing and an electric powertrain has proven popular. Toyota’s Prius saw a redesign for the 2023 production year, bringing a more aerodynamic design to the best-selling hybrid. These EVs occupy separate niches in size and capacity but are around the same price. If you’re in the market for a fuel-efficient vehicle, how do they compare?

Analyzing the differences between an EV and a hybrid can be tough. These might be among your options if you’re in the market for a new vehicle. So, with this in mind, let’s take a closer look at how Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Prius compare.

Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Prius: Side-by-Side Comparison

Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Prius: What’s the Difference?

Mustang Mach-E is an SUV, while the Prius is a hatchback. As such, they have different passenger capacities. The Prius is not a plugin hybrid, and its capabilities differ from the Prius Prime. That said, both vehicles are worth comparing, given similar pricing points.

Performance

The Mustang Mach-E has enough power on tap to rival Tesla’s Model Y. Ford’s EV is undoubtedly a capable vehicle, with more than enough power to handle most driving needs. Acceleration is nimble, and the handling is responsive but on the larger side. Mach-E doesn’t betray its heritage, despite being a massive departure from the Mustang line. It features an all-wheel drive drivetrain, further fed by a pair of electric motors. For the price point, it is hard to argue against what Fooffersfer with this particular EV.

The Toyota Prius isn’t going to win any awards based solely on performance. This front-wheel drive vehicle is not the fastest off the blocks. Going from 0 to 60 miles per hour on a straightaway takes nearly twice the time of the Mustang Mach-E. The Prius carries a pair of motors, one being a traditional internal combustion engine and the other a fully electric one. Neither is a powerhouse, but they get the job done. You won’t post swift lap times on the race track, but it is adequate for daily driving.

Fuel Efficiency

The Mustang Mach-E comes with various battery capacities but hovers around an average of 270 miles on a single charge. Fully electric, it doesn’t need traditional fuel sources for daily driving. You can expect a combined 82 miles per gallon, or at least equivalent. Ford has packed relatively fast charging into the vehicle, at least when using DCFC charging infrastructure. If you’re using Level 1 charging, you can look at 30 miles added over eight hours. Level 2 charging brings it to 80% battery capacity over the same period.

The Toyota Prius is one of the success stories of hybrid vehicle design with impressive fuel efficiency. However, it still pales quite a bit in terms of overall efficiency. You get a combined 52 miles per gallon. For a hatchback, this is stellar. You’ll spend far less time at the pump than in a Kia Soul. It doesn’t have a plugin capability for charging the electric battery, but the battery range is around 35 to 44 miles. While this isn’t a daily driving feature, it helps to pad out your fuel.

Electronics

The Mustang Mach-E features a 15.5-inch touchscreen which acts as the central infotainment panel. Navigating the infotainment system is relatively easy. Plus, it’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can also use the vehicle as a mobile wireless hotspot, which is good for passengers with tablets or other devices. Ford has also packed Bang and Olufsen audio into the vehicle to provide rich and sonorous playback for your favorite music. The infotainment system itself comes with profiles, with up to three available for drivers and a single guest profile.

Toyota didn’t skimp on the Prius’s infotainment system. While not as feature-rich as Ford, it offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also integrates a digital assistant, which operates like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. The sound system is adequate, though there are no special boutique speakers. Music playback sounds excellent, however.

Safety Features

The Mustang Mach-E comes with a fairly robust safety feature suite. You get automated emergency braking coupled with forward collision warnings. You’ll also find blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring support. Ford has also bundled adaptive cruise control and a hands-free driving mode for highway trips. It isn’t quite as fine-tuned as Tesla’s AutoPilot, but it gives you a bit of a break when on your local interstates.

Toyota’s Prius comes with some stellar safety features bundled into the vehicle. You’ll find automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. This is great for city driving, especially if a pedestrian darts out in front of your car. The Prius also has automatic high beams, handy on rural roads where you might encounter only a few drivers. Unlike the Ford, Toyota does have lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning alerts.

Warranty Information

The Mustang Mach-E doesn’t cover complimentary maintenance but is fairly competitive with other EVs. You’ll find a three-year or 36,000 limited warranty. Ford covers the powertrain over five years or 60,000 miles. Electrical components have an eight-year coverage or 60,000 miles in total. Overall, a fairly average warranty bundle pales to what Hyundai offers for its EV line.

The Toyota Prius comes with a fairly standard bundle of warranties. They aren’t subpar offerings and are more in line with what you’ll see across the industry. You can expect a limited warranty with 36,000 miles of coverage or over three years. The powertrain has a warranty covering five years or 60,000 miles. Toyota also covers hybrid components with an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. Toyota also covers complimentary maintenance over the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Prius: Must-Know Facts

• The Mustang Mach-E can have up to 60 cubic feet of storage space with the seats folded.
• The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first purpose-built EV with a home charger.
• The Toyota Prius features a more aerodynamic design.
• The Toyota Prius doesn’t support home charging.
• The Toyota Prius features a redesigned internal cabin.

Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Prius: Which One is Better? Which Should You Choose?

The Mustang Mach-E is a solid choice for an EV. It offers a competitive range, great acceleration, and attractive styling. If you’re after an affordable and robust EV, it is hard to go wrong with Ford’s all-electric SUV.

The Toyota Prius is a solid choice if you’re in an area with limited electric charging infrastructure. It isn’t a massive departure from the standard Toyota has set over the last two decades, but it remains a good choice.

As with any vehicle purchase, try either car before you buy. You might find you prefer the way one handles over the other.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mike Mareen/Shutterstock.com.