Familiar, non-luxury car brands really got into the electric vehicle
game in recent years. Kia beat most to the punch in 2019 with the Soul EV, but Ford gave the Korean brand more to contend with when it released the Mustang Mach-E for the 2021 model year. The Kia EV6 is the Mach-E’s first legitimate rival from the Hyundai subbrand
. But after comparing bumper to bumper, Consumer Reports (CR) says the Mustang still comes out on top. Jerry
, your car insurance super app, dug into CR’s take on this EV battle to see where the Ford managed to edge out its new competitor.The Kia EV6 gives the Ford Mustang Mach-E a run for its money
Kia might have brought a truly reliable modern EV to market before Ford, but once the Mustang Mach-E was out of the barn, there was no denying that Kia had some catching up to do. That’s where they hoped the EV6 would come in.
The Kia EV6 brings the brand into the big leagues. While the Soul-replacing Niro EV’s range maxes out at 239 miles, upgrading the EV6 battery pack can bump that number up to 310 miles, putting it in real contention with the Mach-E’s 314-mile range.
Digging a little deeper, CR
found points where the EV6 truly outperformed its American-made, tax-credit-qualifying nemesis. Its one-pedal regenerative braking gave drivers more control than the Mach-E’s. Reviewers also found that it handled more quickly and smoothly. Despite the stiffer competition, the Mustang Mach-E still wins overall
CR has a few bones to pick about the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its doors are unnecessarily complicated to open, and the rear two force adult passengers to crouch awkwardly to get in. Its plastic interior doesn’t match its starting price, its software is clunky, and its ride is too stiff.
But even with its few problematic elements, the electric crossover Mustang still rises above its new rival, the EV6. CR can’t get over the Kia’s lack of visibility, minimal headroom, and limited cargo space. And in areas where CR critiques the Mustang, the EV6 fares even worse.
Flush door handles make it ridiculously difficult to get into the EV6. Audio and climate controls, while separate from the touchscreen, still manage to be more complicated than the Ford. Interior materials are similarly cheap, especially for a vehicle worth more than $50,000.
Who wins for cost of ownership, the Mustang Mach-E or EV6?
The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6 cost about the same at the dealership. Both electric crossovers have seen price increases
in the last year that bring them past the $50,000 marker. Similar battery pack size options mean charging these to EVs will cost about the same over their lifetime. The Ford’s higher predicted reliability rating might give it a slight edge, but it’s difficult to say since we’re so early in the EV6’s lifespan.
In terms of car insurance, because of their similar safety ratings and capabilities, the EV6 and Mach-E will likely have comparable average premiums, but saving on coverage for either of them is easy if you shop with Jerry.
A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year on car insurance payments!
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