As more people look to buy electric cars than ever before, the automobile industry needs more and more car manufacturers to deliver attractive options at reasonable prices. Count Volkswagen and Ford as two brands that are looking to use their long-established positions in the market to attract electric vehicle buyers looking for alternatives to Tesla, Hyundai or Kia.
As one of the best-known names in all of car manufacturing, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is hoping the power of the Mustang name will win over buyers. The same goes for Volkswagen as it looks to win over first-time EV buyers with the Volkswagen ID.4.
So, which car is right for you? Let’s take a look at how these two EVs compare so you know which one is worth your hard-earned money.
Volkswagen ID.4 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Volkswagen ID.4 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Release | September 2020 | December 2020 |
| Starting Cost | $38,995 | $45,995 |
| Range | 209-275 miles | 247-312 miles |
| 0-60 Speed | 5.7 seconds (model-dependent) | 3.5 seconds (model-dependent) |
| Charging Speed | 10-80% in 30 to 36 minutes on a 240V charger | 0-100% in 10.9 hours on a Level 2 240V charger |
| Number of Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo Space | 30.3 cubic feet | 29.7 cubic feet |
| SelfDriving | IQ.Drive | Co-Pilot 360 |
| Warranty | 4-year 50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty 8-year 100,000-mile battery warranty | 3-year 36,000-mile basic 8-year 100,000-mile battery warranty |
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Volkswagen ID.4: What’s the Difference?
Pricing
Looking at pricing for the Volkswagen ID.4 is an exercise in patience as the company offers a total of nine different configurations, each with its own price set. Now, it’s not really that complicated as the multitude of configurations can essentially be broken down between AWD and RWD (all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive) trim levels, but Volkswagen could definitely simplify things a little. Complicated or not, the ID.4 Standard trim, its entry-level model, starts off with a retail MSRP of $38,995.
From this price point, things start heading north where you can reach a suggested retail price of $55,245 with the AWD Pro S Plus trim level. This is the fastest model of the ID.4 Volkswagen offers and it comes with the biggest battery as well. As is the case with most vehicles, EVs included, you can kick the price up a little if you select a premium paint color, all-weather mats, etc. The good news is that there are no major technology packages that can dramatically increase your price.
For the Ford Mustang Mach-E, you start with an MSRP of $45,995 on the Standard Range model, which is RWD and includes the smallest battery, wheels, etc. Taking things to a more premium level, you can pick up the GT trim which starts at a price of $63,995 and includes both an extended-range battery and AWD.
Unlike Volkswagen and the ID.4, Ford does include a number of different options available for buyers looking to configure their Mach-E. Even on the Standard trim, you can opt for AWD instead of RWD, which is an extra $3,000 package and that’s not including premium paint colors which range up to $795 in value. Needless to say, no matter which trim of the Ford Mustang Mach-E you choose, expect that the suggested MSRP is not going to be the price you come close to paying.
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Range
When it comes to range on the Volkswagen ID.4, there’s a lot of discussion around not just the trim level you choose, but whether you go for AWD or RWD.
Everything with the ID.4 starts off again with the Standard model with RWD, which offers 209 miles of range on a single charge. If you bump up to the Pro trim, you can opt for 275 miles of range with RWD or 255 miles with AWD.
On the S trim level, you get 209 miles of range on the basic trim while the Pro S goes for 275 miles with RWD or 255 miles with AWD on the AWD Pro S. Finally, you can look at the Pro S Plus or AWD Pro S Plus and choose from either 275 miles or 255 miles of range, respectively. Needless to say, Volkswagen is making this more complicated by providing customers with what many could argue is too many different trim levels.
While Ford attempts a simpler model line for the Mustang Mach-E as far as range numbers, it’s only slightly better than Volkswagen. At the entry-level, you have the Select model which offers 247 miles of range and is available in either RWD or AWD. If you step up to the GT trim, you gain some range to the tune of 270 miles though it’s notable that this trim is only available in AWD.
The Premium Mustang Mach-E makes this EV more competitive with a range of 310 miles and is again available as an RWD or AWD option, though range drops if you opt for the latter. The California Route 1 is also only available in AWD format and is ready to go with 312 miles of range. Ultimately, like Volkswagen, you have your choice of features and range with the Mustang allowing some flexibility in picking the right price for your budget.
Charging
If uncovering range is complicated, determining the charge time for both vehicles is, thankfully, much easier. For starters, with the Volkswagen ID.4, on a Level 2 240V charger, you can expect to see your ID.4 Standard and S trim charge up in around 7 hours. This number jumps another 30 minutes if you are purchasing either of the Pro trim levels.
When you shift focus to a Level 3 DC Fast Charging station, the Volkswagen ID.4 can be charged from 10-80% in about 30 minutes. Of course, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 comes with a fantastic perk for customers in the form of three years of free 30-minute charging stations at any of Electrify America’s charging stations in the U.S. With more than 1,700 stations today and more than 2,500 plus stations by the end of 2025, this is an awesome bonus for any ID.4 buyer.
In the case of charging and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, it’s not quite as competitive as the Volkswagen ID.4 but it’s definitely not the slowest either. Using a Level 2 240V home charger will give Mustang Mach-E owners with the extended-range battery and RWD around 28 miles of charging per hour or a 0-100% battery in just under 11 hours.
Like Volkswagen, Ford is also providing its customers a small perk to the tune of 250 kWh of complimentary fast charging at any Electric America charging station. When using these DC Fast Chargers, the Mach-E with extended-range battery and RWD can add approximately 59 miles of range in 10 minutes or go from 10-80% battery life in approximately 45 minutes.
Driver Assistance and Safety
For potential buyers of the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, there is a very strong likelihood you will be receiving more driver assistance than with any other previous vehicle you’ve owned. Volkswagen has included a bunch of standard safety options including blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alerts, lane keep assist, as well as adaptive cruise control.
Where they’ve taken things up a notch is with their Driver Assistance features beginning with light assist, a feature that shifts the ID.4 headlights to make sure a road is properly lit when you are traveling at speeds above 18 mph. Area View gives you a full view around the vehicle while Park Assist Plus with Memory Parking helps you park without any help from the driver including parallel and perpendicular parking. Add in Dynamic Road Sign Display and you’ll receive warnings about speed or restricted traffic zones ensuring you stay as safe as possible while driving.
Volkswagen offers some nice benefits but the Ford Mustang Mach-E comes pretty well equipped as well. Ford Co-Pilot 360 adds a bunch of standard features like blind spot alerts, lane keep assist, rear camera view, and rear parking sensors. Where Ford really shines is with Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 which offers an intelligent cruise control that works for both stop-and-go traffic as well as lane centering, speed sign recognition, evasive steering, intersection assist, and three years of built-in navigation.
In the end, neither car offers any type of autonomous driving and that’s okay, until the technology is truly ready, both Ford and Volkswagen are looking to still give you plenty for your money.
Technology
There’s no question that both vehicles are a step up from their gas engine siblings with more streamlined interiors, which make them not just more enjoyable to drive, but offer more information as well. With Volkswagen, you get a new standard for 2023 12-inch screen for the dashboard which is full of information. The driver also receives a small dashboard that displays relevant information about the vehicle like battery life, range, speed, traffic info, etc. The larger display offers detailed information like charging status, battery life, as well as standard navigation alongside standard features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The Mustang Mach-E immediately catches your attention with a whopping 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen that fills out the center of the car. Unlike the Volkswagen ID.4 which still has plenty of buttons and knobs, the Mach-E is basically all touchscreen save for the volume dial. It’s bright, full of info, and provides the driver with just about every piece of information you need to know about the vehicle and then some. Add to this the digital driver display that shows range, speed limits, and alerts around traffic in front of the vehicle in case of a sudden stop.
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Volkswagen ID.4 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: 5 Must Know Facts
- The Volkswagen ID.4 offers three years of 30-minute recharges at any Electrify America location while Ford only allows up to 250 kWh of recharging free (good enough for 3 to 4 recharges).
- Both vehicles offer a similar warranty which eliminates that as a potential consideration when thinking through which vehicle to purchase.
- Unsurprisingly, the Mustang Mach-E lives up to its name with a breezy 3.5 second 0-60 time on some of its available trim levels.
- Ford offers three different types of home charger options which can charge as quick as 28 miles per hour or as slow as 3 miles of range per hour.
- The Volkswagen ID.4’s interior is still heavily reliant on buttons and knobs which feels like a disappointment considering the great updates to the exterior.
Volkswagen ID.4 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Which One is Better?
At the end of the day, it’s really a tough call between these two vehicles as the Volkswagen and the Mustang each offer a lot of similarities. Ultimately, it is Volkswagen that takes the prize with its more attractive price tag, better perks with three years of free charging ,and a better overall drive.
It’s not that the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a bad car — far from it — it’s just easy to get really expensive, really quickly. Even more surprising is that the Mustang can get more expensive than the Tesla Model Y with less range, which makes this a big miss from Ford.
Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E: Technology Updates
Recently, both the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E have seen several noteworthy technology updates:
Volkswagen ID.4:
- A newly introduced optional heat pump enhances efficiency during colder weather conditions.
- An over-the-air update has been rolled out, encompassing diverse software enhancements, including improved navigation and elevated driver-assistance capabilities.
Ford Mustang Mach-E:
- An optional performance boost has been made available, enabling an augmented power output from the electric motor.
- An over-the-air update has been implemented, bringing about an array of software improvements, encompassing enhanced navigation functionalities and enriched driver-assistance features.
Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E: What’s Next
Anticipated technology advancements for the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E in the upcoming six to 18 months encompass:
Volkswagen ID.4
- Over-the-Air Enhancements: The ID.4 already showcases its potential for over-the-air updates, a capability that may facilitate refined performance, feature augmentations, and issue resolutions without necessitating a physical visit to the dealership.
- Enhanced Battery Technology: Volkswagen’s endeavors into novel battery technology hold promise for bolstering the ID.4’s range, potentially providing electric vehicle enthusiasts with an extended travel radius between charges.
- Innovative Driver-Assistance Features: Volkswagen’s innovation extends to the realm of driver assistance. Among the forthcoming enhancements are the prospects of introducing advanced systems like lane-keeping assist and traffic jam assistance, contributing to a safer and more convenient driving experience.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Over-the-Air Advancements: Similar to its counterpart, the Mustang Mach-E boasts the capacity for over-the-air updates. This feature permits performance optimization, integration of fresh features, and rectification of any anomalies, all via wireless transmission.
- Progressive Battery Technology: Ford’s research and development in battery technology may grant the Mustang Mach-E an extended range, enhancing its suitability for extended journeys on a single charge.
- Performance-Oriented Iteration: Speculation surrounds the introduction of a performance-focused variant for the Mustang Mach-E. This potential iteration might feature an upgraded electric motor, translating to enhanced power output, and potentially a higher top speed, augmenting the thrill of driving an electric performance vehicle.
Moreover. additional potential technology advancements that may emerge for the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E within the next six to 18 months encompass:
Wireless Charging Integration: Both the ID.4 and Mustang Mach-E are currently devoid of wireless charging capabilities. Nevertheless, the upcoming generation of electric vehicles from Volkswagen and Ford could potentially incorporate wireless charging support, providing a convenient and cable-free method of recharging.
Accelerated Charging Speeds: While the ID.4 and Mustang Mach-E already accommodate fast charging, future iterations from Volkswagen and Ford might strive to enhance charging speeds even further, reducing the time required for replenishing battery levels.
Extended Range Capabilities: Volkswagen and Ford might seek to bolster the range of their electric vehicles beyond the existing 200-mile threshold. This could be facilitated by leveraging advancements in battery technology, allowing users to embark on longer journeys without the need for frequent charging.
Advanced Driver-Assistance Technologies: Although the ID.4 and Mustang Mach-E presently offer an array of driver-assistance features, the forthcoming models from Volkswagen and Ford could potentially introduce even more sophisticated systems. These might encompass innovative solutions for autonomous driving, enhanced lane-keeping mechanisms, and advanced traffic management aides, contributing to safer and more convenient travel experiences.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gabriel Nica/Shutterstock.com.
