Polestar 4 vs. Mustang Mach-E: Full Comparison, Which One Wins?

Key Points

• Polestar 4 offers a longer range of up to 372 miles per charge, while Mustang Mach-E provides up to 312 miles per charge.
• Polestar 4 has a higher horsepower of 544hp compared to Mustang Mach-E’s 480hp.
• Mustang Mach-E has a larger cargo space of 29.7 cubic feet, while Polestar 4 has 17.7 cu. ft.
• Mustang Mach-E has a lower starting price of $42,995, while Polestar 4 is estimated to start at around $60,000.

Electric vehicles have gained traction in recent years. Environmentally conscious folks want them to safeguard the planet. Others want to save on gas, while governments worldwide plan to phase out fossil fuel engines in the next decade. Thus, it’s unsurprising that more and more EV models emerge each year.

One of the new EV companies, Polestar, is challenging Tesla’s dominance in the EV market. Ford is a staple of American craftsmanship and a famous automaker. It started manufacturing electric cars in 2009; its latest release is the 2023 Mach-E. How does it compare against the newest arrival? Find out how Polestar 4 vs. Mustang Mach-E stack up against each other.

Polestar 4 vs. Mustang Mach-E: Side-by-Side Comparison

Polestar 4 vs. Mustang Mach-E: What’s the Difference?

A rising star in the EV world, Polestar emerged as Volvo’s racing division and evolved into a standalone brand. The company is co-owned by Volvo and its Chinese partner, Geely. These two automakers crammed various features and functions into the latest Polestar 4. This coupé SUV has a lot going on, but the most striking feature is the absence of a rear window and the presence of a digital rearview mirror. This looks to be an epic blind spot killer.

Ford introduced its Mustang Mach-E in 2021; the car is now in its third edition. However, nothing else matches the original Mach 1 from the 1970s except its sporty spirit. The electric version is a capable SUV designed for off-road and towns rather than the racetrack. While this EV might lack the digital rearview mirror, its size and cargo capacity make it a perfect family vehicle.

Performance

Polestar 4 is an EV in the making. The company unveiled it at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show on April 18 and announced a 2024 release. Naturally, some details are still wrapped up, but we know it’ll have up to 544 horses in its dual-motor variant. That’s lots of horsepower, considering the 2023 Mach-E GT version only has 480 hp.

Higher horsepower is essential when driving SUVs (especially in AWD trims) over challenging terrain. Despite the difference, the Polestar 4 and the Mustang Mach-E can back you up in difficult driving conditions.

You shouldn’t expect a staggering top speed, though. Polestar and Ford limit their motors to 124mph and 120mph, respectively. Yet, both vehicles promise fast acceleration. In this aspect, the Mach-E GT is the fastest, reaching 60mph from 0 in 3.5 seconds. Polestar 4 promises about 3.8 seconds, but we’ll have to wait to see if it delivers.

As for options, both automakers offer their vehicles in single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD trims. The main difference is that Polestar 4 is available in only one trim in both variants. Ford Mach-E comes in four trims. Its entry-level Select and Premium are standard RWDs that can be upgraded to AWD. California Route 1 and GT are native AWDs.

Range

One widespread concern is that EVs won’t get you far, despite the evolution of batteries. Sure, the cold weather and other factors could affect an EV’s range. However, you don’t have to worry about running out of power, regardless of which SUV you prefer.

Polestar 4 wins this round with its 94kWh battery with a range of 372 miles per charge. Depending on the charge station, it can recharge to 80 percent in 20 minutes or so. The battery’s charge time is a rough estimate based on the capabilities of Polestar 3, as the company hasn’t revealed these details yet.

Ford Mustang Mach-E is available with a standard-range (70.0kWh) or a long-range (91kWh) battery pack. The former provides an estimated range of 226 miles, up to 312 miles for the larger battery.

According to EPA, mach-E’s combined fuel economy ranges from 82 to 103 MPGe. We don’t know how Polestar 4 ranks, but model 2 – the latest Polestar model evaluated by EPA – has a fuel economy between 95 and 107 MPGe.

Design

From a visual standpoint, Polestar reveals the Mustang Mach-E’s actual age. Side-by-side, it feels like you’re seeing the future in the former. The latter appeals to the old-age nostalgic – despite being only two years old. The Mach-E feels at least a decade older.

This isn’t exactly surprising as Ford incorporated design elements reminiscent of the 1970s design in its new electric SUV. Meanwhile, Polestar is the brand currently setting the benchmarks for refined EV technology. What makes Polestar 4 so unique is the SUV stance blended with smooth coupé lines. The lower profile makes for a stylish appearance, but the vehicle is still imposing enough to demand attention.

Ford launched its Mustang Mach-E to help those reluctant to transition smoothly to EVs. The automaker refined the vehicle’s performance and range over the past years but hasn’t seen dramatic style changes. The profile tries to mix the SUV and coupé lines, but the match is not as successful as Polestar. While the two EVs may look somewhat similar, Mach-E’s design becomes outdated upon further inspection.

Comfort

The Mustang Mach-E might be unremarkable on the outside, but its inside is designed to impress. You can expect a spacious cabin with heated front seats, steering wheel, and storage space inside the center console and the large glovebox. Its cargo space is 29.7 cubic feet.

Other highlights include a panoramic sunroof and plenty of legroom for the rear passengers. Sadly, the curved roof reduces headspace. Adults might not be able to sit comfortably at the back for long.

Polestar 4 is as sleek on the inside as on the outside. According to the automaker, the cabin is designed to provide “a more immersive experience.” Despite the coupé lines, there should be plenty of passenger space at the front and back.

Inspired by the Solar System, the interior ambient lights deliver a pleasant ride. At the same time, the seats can be lined with nappa leather, vinyl, or a textile material made from recycled plastic. However, all these perks ask for a compromise: reduced trunk space.

Infotainment

Polestar 4 and Mustang Mach-E have impressive infotainment systems. The former features a 15.4-inch display running a Google-based interface. The software is easy to use, allowing you to quickly access your favorite Google apps, such as Maps or Google Assistant.

The infotainment system connects with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay while providing access to radio, media, and non-essential car functions. Another highlight is the 12-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo system available as an option, which you can upgrade with bonus speakers in the front headrests.

Mach-E’s infotainment is excellent but not as exceptional. The touchscreen is a vertical 10.2-inch panel with a look reminiscent of the AirPad. It runs on proprietary software, but you can pair it with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. That said, the system includes an array of apps, and you can upgrade the stereo system to a Bang & Olufsen.

Safety

Polestar 4 and Mustang Mach-E have similar features that include all the usual we’ve come to expect from modern cars. Highlights include lane departure and lane-keep assistance, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, safety sensors, and 360-degree view cameras.

Adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode is available on both electric SUVs. A vast difference, however, is the lack of a rear window and rearview mirror on the Polestar 4. Instead, the SUV coupé comes with a digital rearview mirror – a choice that reduces the blind spot, increasing visibility and enhancing safety.

Price

Polestar 4 is a promising vehicle and will likely become an all-time favorite. However, you’ll have to pay for all these features. Polestar hasn’t yet revealed the car’s final price. However, rumors mention a starting price of around $60,000.

Mustang Mach-E is much cheaper, starting at $42,995 for the Select trim. The GT is closer to Polestar 4 at $59,995.

Currently, the Mach-E is eligible for £3,750 potential Federal Tax credits. Polestar 4 will likely be eligible for tax credits, too. At the moment, though, Ford’s EV is the most affordable.

Polestar 4 vs. Mustang Mach-E: 5 Must-Known Facts

• Polestar 4 is the fourth edition of Polestar EVs. The vehicle launched in April 2023 and will reach the market in 2024.
• The 2023 Mustang Mach-E is the third model in Ford’s Mach-E lineup. It brings significant improvements to the 2021 and 2022 Mach-E.
• Both vehicles have SUV coupé profiles, but the Polestar 4 delivers a sleeker, more modern look. By comparison, the Mach-E feels outdated.
• With 544 horsepower and 372 miles per charge, the Polestar 3 is unbeatable in performance.
• The digital rearview mirror on the Polestar 4 reduces the blind spot and increases safety. Otherwise, the two vehicles are comparable from a safety standpoint.

Polestar 4 vs. Mustang Mach-E: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Buy?

Choosing between the Polestar 4 and Mustang Mach-E should be easy. The former is still in the making, so you have to settle for the latter. If you don’t mind waiting and spending more, the Polestar 4 is objectively the better one. Its advantages include a longer range, more power for tackling challenging situations, and a modern appearance. Unique features, such as a fixed glass roof and the absence of a rear window, are elements that will likely make the heads turn. However, if you’re a Ford fan and can’t say no to an EV Mustang, Mach-E is definitely for you.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Maxhdtenda, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.