Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Volkswagen ID.4

Posted at Thu, Feb 22, 2024 1:15 PM

The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 entered the automotive market in 2021, setting a competitive tone for all-electric SUVs. Each vehicle features a five-person seating capacity, reliable safety features, and well-appointed interiors for optimized driver and passenger convenience. However, specific specs such as mileage, performance, styling, and cargo capacity set them apart, making one more desirable than the other.

Though it's still in its first generation, the Mach-E will receive an exciting new option for the 2024 model year. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Edition is the automaker's first rally-inspired electric vehicle (EV) that combines impressive performance with fun off-roading capabilities. Our Planet Ford Dallas team welcomes you to discover noteworthy specs for each electric SUV in this head-to-head comparison.

Exterior Styling

If you want a sleek, classic SUV body, the Volkswagen ID.4's exterior features clean lines and aerodynamic elements and is available in soothing colors, such as Tourmaline Blue or Silver Mist Metallic. Unique exterior elements on the ID.4 include the available illuminated front and rear Volkswagen emblem and 20-inch alloy wheels that are both stylish and performance-enhancing.

If you want to turn heads as you drive through the Dallas-Fort Worth area, go for the muscular Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its distinctive exterior features sharp-angled LED headlights, triple-bar taillights, and the iconic pony badge on the front grille and liftgate. Consider the Mach-E Rally Edition for exclusive exterior styling, such as its Grabber Yellow paint with two black racing stripes and Gloss White 19-inch rally-style alloy wheels inspired by Ford's history of rally vehicles. This edition also presents several contrasting elements, such as a black-painted steel roof and special upper- and lower-body moldings.

Interior and Technology

If you love to play sports or travel often, you'll need an SUV with ample storage space for your sporting equipment, camping gear, and travel essentials to fit comfortably without compromising passenger capacity. The Volkswagen ID.4 has fold-flat rear seats with a 60/40 split to configure your interior space to your liking. This SUV offers 30.3 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

There's slight room for improvement with the Ford Mustang Mach-E's cargo capacity, with only 29.7 cubic feet of volume behind the second row and 59.7 cubic feet behind the front. Ford has yet to release details on the Mustang Mach-E Rally Edition's cargo capacity, but we anticipate it will be similar to the Mach-E's standard dimensions. Still, if you prefer a comfortable interior, the Mach-E provides more legroom than the ID.4, with 43.3 inches in the front and 38.1 inches in the rear compared to the ID.4's 41.1 in the front and 37.6 in the rear.

Regardless of the differences, the Ford Mustang Mach-E outshines its EV competitors with a cool feature called a "frunk." A frunk is a unique front trunk capitalizing on the extra space leftover from the lack of a traditional gas-powered engine. The Mach-E features a versatile frunk that's water-resistant and washable, has a drain, and offers 4.7 cubic feet of cargo volume. Use the frunk as a cooler for your favorite drinks or storage for muddy gear after a fun day on the trails.

Performance

Choosing the right electric SUV based on performance depends on your driving needs. Do you need long driving ranges for fewer trips to the charging station? Or would you rather hit the dirt roads in Dallas, Texas, for some off-roading adventures?

The Mustang Mach-E's base Select trim offers an EPA-estimated 250-mile all-electric driving range. If you need a longer driving range, you can choose the California Route 1 trim. Its extended battery range is capable of reaching an EPA-estimated 312 miles. The Mustang Mach-E Rally Edition mileage for most trims is comparable to the standard Mach-E trims. However, Ford designed the Rally Edition for optimal off-roading performance with a powerful engine that mirrors the GT trim, producing 480 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.

The Volkswagen ID.4 Standard offers an EPA-estimated 209-mile all-electric driving range, which may not be ideal for road-tripping families. However, you can get a maximum 275-mile driving range on higher trims such as the ID.4 Pro, ID.4 Pro S, or ID.4 Pro S Plus. Still, the Mustang Mach-E outperforms the ID.4, especially with engine power. Depending on the trim, the maximum the ID.4 can produce is 295 horsepower.

Safety Ratings and Features

The Ford Mustang Mach-E offers standard safety features such as safety belts with a Belt-Minder, power door locks, adjustable head restraints, a complete set of airbags, and an individual tire-pressure monitoring system. The electric SUV also features Ford's AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control to maintain balance and control while driving in unfavorable weather or road conditions.

If you need peace of mind while traveling solo or with friends and family, you can trust Ford's Co-Pilot 360 technology to keep everyone safe on the road with important safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, rearview camera, automatic high beams, reverse brake assist, and post-collision braking. Although Ford hasn't confirmed the Mustang Mach-E Rally Edition's safety suite specs, the EV will feature convenient driver-assistance features, such as lane-change assist and in-lane repositioning.

Volkswagen equips the ID.4 with similar safety features for collision avoidance and driver-assistance technologies. Like the Mach-E, the ID.4 offers a blind-spot monitoring system to alert you of other vehicles near you and help you change lanes safely. Both electric SUVs feature lower anchors and tethers for children to ensure secure attachment of child safety seats.