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Ford Mustang Mach-E v Tesla Model Y v Kia EV6 v VW ID.4: Spec battle!

Ford's Mustang Mach-E electric SUV is finally confirmed for Australia – so how does it stack up against a few potential rivals?

Ford Mustang Mach E V Volkswagen Id 4 V Tesla Model Y V Kia Ev 6 Comparison
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After years of waiting, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 are finally confirmed for Australia.

Traditional carmakers are paying strong attention to EVs, and both Ford and Volkswagen are expanding availability globally.

Electric vehicle (EV) take-up continues to be slowed by market preferences and minimal incentives in Australia, pushing supply towards more EV-friendly regions.

Ford has confirmed the Mustang Mach-E will arrive from “later this year (2023)”, while Volkswagen claims the ID.4 – and its ID.5 coupe SUV sibling – are due in the first half of 2024.

So, how do the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 compare against the established and conceptually-similar Tesla Model Y, and the 2022 Wheels Car of the Year-winning Kia EV6? Let’s find out.

UPDATE: Mach-E pricing confirmed; Model Y Long Range on sale now

Ford Australia has confirmed local pricing and features for the Mustang Mach-E, while Tesla has added the mid-spec Model Y Long Range AWD to its local lineup.

This comparison has been updated to reflect the latest details.

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But first...

Are you interested in a medium-to-large electric SUV available now?

Check out our coverage below.

Pricing

The Model Y and EV6 start at around $70,000 before on-road costs, rising to $100,000 for the performance-orientated flagships.

As for the Mustang Mach-E, it is around $10,000 dearer than the Model Y and EV6 for each variant, with the entry-level Select priced from $79,990 before on-road costs. The Mach-E GT is listed at $108,990 plus on-roads.

Last year, Volkswagen managing director for passenger vehicles, Michal Szaniecki, said the ID.4 and its swoopy ID.5 coupe sibling would be priced in line with the Tiguan R-Line and the Tiguan R.

News 2021 Mustang Mach E GT 06
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Exact spec hasn't been locked in, but expect the first batch to match the Pro Performance trim offered in Europe, with a 77kWh battery and a driving range of around 520 kilometres. The flagship GTX will arrive later.

As such, we'd estimate a price between $60,000 for the entry ID.4 and $80,000 for the GTX – similar to the Tiguan R-Line and R, respectively.

All estimated prices exclude on-road costs (taxes, registration, third-party insurance and dealer delivery charges) and EV incentives, which are subject to change.

2022 Volkswagen Id 4 Gtx 4
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Ford Mustang Mach-ETesla Model YKia EV6Volkswagen ID.4
RWD: $69,300Air RWD: $72,590RWD: $65,000 (est.)
Select RWD: $79,990GT-Line RWD: $79,590AWD: $68,500 (est.)
Premium RWD: $92,990Long Range AWD: $82,300GT-Line AWD: $87,590GTX: $80,000 (est.)
GT: $108,990Performance: $98,955GT AWD: $99,590

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2022 Ford Mustang Mach E 04
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Performance

As the table below shows, the Kia EV6 is the most powerful, with the flagship GT grade packing a serious punch.

It is followed by the Mach-E and Model Y, which pack a similar punch to provide some serious performance at around $100,000 for the most-powerful versions.

However, the Volkswagen ID.4 still has respectable outputs, and the GTX is pitched as an electric alternative to the traditional Golf GTI.

Ford Mustang Mach-ETesla Model YKia EV6Volkswagen ID.4
PowerSelect: 198kWRWD: 220kWRWD: 168kWRWD: 150kW
Premium: 216kWAWD: 378kWAWD: 239kWAWD: 195kW
GT: 358kWPerf: 393kWGT: 430kWGTX: 220kW
TorqueSelect: 430NmRWD: 420Nm (est.)RWD: 350NmRWD: 310Nm
Premium: 430NmAWD: 493Nm (est.)AWD: 605NmAWD: 425Nm
GT: 860NmPerf: 660Nm (est.)GT: 740NmGTX: 460Nm
0-100 km/hSelect: 6.9s (est.)RWD: 6.9sRWD: 7.3sRWD: 8.5s
Premium: 6.9s (est.)AWD: 5.0sAWD: 5.2sAWD: 6.9s
GT: 3.7sPerf: 3.7sGT: 3.5sGTX: 6.2s
Top speedSelect: 179km/hRWD: 217km/hRWD: 185km/hRWD: 159km/h
Premium: 179km/hAWD: 217km/hAWD: 188km/hAWD: 159km/h
GT: 200km/hPerf: 250km/hGT: 260km/hGTX: 180km/h

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Driving range

All vehicles are closely matched for claimed driving range, with the most-powerful Mach-E, EV6 and ID.4 variants having a compromised range in favour of added performance.

Ford Mustang Mach-ETesla Model YKia EV6Volkswagen ID.4
RangeSelect: 470kmRWD: 455kmRWD: 504-528kmRWD: 535km
Premium: 600kmAWD: 533kmAWD: 484kmAWD: 515km
GT: 490kmPerf: 514kmGT: 424kmGTX: 500km
Battery size71kWh (Select), 91kWh (Premium, GT)60kWh (RWD), 75kWh (Perf.)77.4kWh82kWh

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2022 Volkswagen ID 5 GTX 47
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2022 Ford Mustang Mach E Interior
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Dimensions

How do these four mid-sized electric SUVs compare on that all-important metric: space?

Here, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is shown to be a more spacious offering, with a large-sized footprint similar to the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 and, compared to the smaller Volkswagen ID.4, which is likely to slot into the medium SUV category in Australia.

Ford Mustang Mach-ETesla Model YKia EV6Volkswagen ID.4
Wheelbase2984mm2890mm2900mm2765mm
Length4713mm (GT: 4743mm)4751mm4695mm (Air: 4690mm)4584mm
Height1624mm (GT: 1613mm)1624mm1550mm (GT: 1545mm)1636mm
Width1881mm1921mm1890mm (Air: 1880mm)1852mm

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Charging

It's a win here for the EV6, although it's not quite that clear-cut...

With an 800-volt architecture, the Kia EV6 supports 350kW ultra-rapid fast charging – allowing it to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes.

However, it can be difficult to reach these speeds – particularly in Australia.

The Model Y, meanwhile, fully supports Tesla’s Supercharger network, with a 250kW maximum allowing for a top-up in around 30 minutes.

2023 Tesla Model Y Performance SUV Blue 41
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As for the Mach-E and ID.4, a public DC charger should top up the battery of each vehicle from 10 to 80 per cent in around 40 minutes.

This is due to a charging rate around 135kW to 150kW in both vehicles, allowing for a quicker charge than a standard 50kW unit.

For charging at home, all vehicles have a maximum 11kW AC charge rate.

 Ford Mustang Mach-E GTTesla Model Y Perf.Kia EV6 GTVolkswagen ID.4 GTX
DC fast charger50kW: approx. 85 minutes (10% – 80%)50kW: 50kW: approx. 73 minutes (10% – 80%)50kW: approx. 70 minutes (10% – 80%)
150kW: approx. 43 minutes (10% – 80%)250kW: approx. 27 minutes350kW: approx. 18 minutes (10% – 80%)135kW: approx. 33 minutes (10% – 80%)
AC standard chargerMax. capacity: 11kWMax capacity: 11kWMax. capacity: 11kW
Approx. 6 hr 45 min. (11kW, 10% – 80%)Approx. 8 hr 15 min (11kW, Approx. 5 hr 45 min. (11kW, 10% – 80%)

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Features

Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen ID.4 features
18-, 19- or 20-inch alloy wheelsWireless phone charger
12-inch Discover Max infotainment systemUSB-C ports
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless)Adaptive suspension (GTX)
DAB+ digital radioHeat pump
Voice assistant with 'ID.Light'Vehicle-to-X (V2X) compatibility
5.3-inch digital instrument cluster30-colour LED interior ambient lighting
LED headlights and tail-lightsPanoramic sunroof
Augmented reality head-up displayMassaging seats.
2023 Volkswagen VW ID 4 V 2 0037
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Ford Mustang Mach-E

18-, 19- or 20-inch alloy wheelsWireless phone charger
15.5-inch Sync 4 infotainment systemUSB-C ports
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless)Multi-colour ambient lighting (Premium, GT)
DAB+ digital radioAdaptive suspension (GT)
Amazon Alexa voice assistantBrembo brakes (GT)
10.2-inch digital instrument clusterElectronic door latches
10-speaker B&O audio systemLED headlights and tail-lights.
Ford Mustang Mach E 4 X 21
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Tesla Model Y

Ford Mustang Mach-E features
18-, 19- or 20-inch alloy wheelsWireless phone charger
15.5-inch Sync 4 infotainment systemUSB-C ports
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless)Multi-colour ambient lighting (Premium, GT)
DAB+ digital radioAdaptive suspension (GT)
Amazon Alexa voice assistantBrembo brakes (GT)
10.2-inch digital instrument clusterElectronic door latches
10-speaker B&O audio systemLED headlights and tail-lights.
2023 Tesla Model Y Performance SUV Blue 23
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Kia EV6

Kia EV6 features
19-, 20- or 21-inch alloy wheelsUSB-C charge ports
12.3-inch infotainment systemDual-zone climate control
Wired Apple CarPlay and Android AutoAugmented reality head-up display (GT-Line & GT)
DAB+ digital radioRemote smart park assist (GT-Line & GT)
12.3-inch digital instrument clusterHeated and ventilated front seats (GT-Line)
LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lamps14-speaker Meridian audio system (GT-Line & GT)
Wireless phone charging64-colour LED interior ambient lighting (GT-Line & GT)
Satellite navigationPanoramic sunroof (AWD only)
2023 Kia EV 6 GT SUV Silver 12
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Safety

The Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 are both covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, while the Mustang Mach-E and ID.4 have five-star Euro NCAP ratings.

Testing for the Model Y was performed in 2022, while the EV6, Mustang Mach-E and ID.4 were crashed in 2021.

The safety results for the latter two would likely carry across to ANCAP when the vehicles launch in Australia.

Key safety equipment includes; autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.

A 360-degree camera is available on all vehicles – but it is omitted from the entry-level EV6 Air in Australia.

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Volkswagen ID 4 Euro NCAP Crash
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Cargo space

While the Tesla Model Y has the largest boot at 854 litres, this measurement is up to the roof – while others are typically measured to the top of the seats.

Despite the notable difference in dimensions between the ID.4 and Mustang Mach-E, it is the Volkswagen that has a larger boot – largely due to the Ford’s coupe-like roofline.

Both the Ford and Tesla offer a front boot, adding extra practicality. There is no need to pack an esky in the Mach-E, as it can be filled with ice, with a drain plug to remove water.

Which Car Car News Ford Mustang Mach E Trunk Space
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Mustang Mach-E frunk
Ford Mustang Mach-ETesla Model YKia EV6Volkswagen ID.4
Boot capacity402L854L480L (Air: 490L)543L
Front boot (frunk) capacity100L117LRWD: 52LAWD: 20LN/A
Electric tailgateYes, hands-freeYesGT-Line & GT, hands-freeYes, hands-free
Remote-folding second-row seatsN/AYesYesN/A

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Which electric SUV would you pick? Let us know in the comments below!

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