Relaxation assured, there’s much more coming down the pipe from Autoblog concerning the distinctive 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. As we prep these items, nonetheless, this is a fast appetizer.
The Mach-E seems fairly huge and crossover-y in footage, however whether or not on an auto present flooring (awww, keep in mind these?) or parked within the driveway, it seems a lot smaller in particular person. Fortunately, it drives that method too, however extra on that sooner or later. Given this notion and that teardrop hatchback roofline, one would count on the Mach-E to be solely barely extra convincing as a crossover than a Mustang.
In line with the specs, the Mach-E has 29.7 cubic-feet of area behind its again seat. That is almost 3 cubes lower than the Ford Escape and akin to many compact SUVs. There are some asterisks, nonetheless.
First, there are two footage above as a result of the Mach-E has two flooring heights. You possibly can see the distinction in top under left. The Escape has the identical factor and it serves the identical objective: present the utmost quantity of area behind the again seat whereas permitting for a flat load flooring when the again seat is folded. As we’re solely testing cargo area behind the again seat, I saved it on the lowest place as I did with the Escape.
Beneath proper, it’s also possible to see the underfloor storage. Mainly, there’s simply an space for the tire air compressor and the cost wire. Such wire luggage, most frequently in plug-in hybrids, normally take up area within the cargo space.
The second asterisk entails the Mach-E’s crossover-coupe form that makes evaluating cubic-feet figures with extra typical SUV shapes an apples-to-oranges affair.
Mainly, what you will have is a big trunk with some additional spill-over area above. It is extra like an Audi A7 or first-generation Mazda6 5-Door in that regard.
I point out this solely to place the cubic-feet measurement into perspective and to underline that having 3 cubic-feet lower than an Escape would not essentially imply it’s going to be as comparable because the quantity makes it appear.
The truth is, it is higher than the Escape! OK, one other asterisk right here, however extra on that later.
As in each baggage check I do, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that may must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 broad, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
All the above match inside with minimal Tetrising. Evaluate that to the Escape, under, which barely managed to suit all of it.
What is the distinction right here? Notice the identical bag is within the decrease left of every Ford positioned widthwise. Within the Mach-E, I might match the biggest two luggage lengthwise subsequent to it. Within the Escape, solely the 2 medium luggage might match. In different phrases, the Mach-E is wider. It additionally appears to be longer.
As for that closing asterisk, the Escape finally has a bonus as a consequence of its sliding and reclining again seat that will increase capability on the expense of rear passenger consolation.
Transferring past the Ford comparability, this quantity is akin to different crossover coupes. It is principally the identical because the Audi e-Tron Sportback (under left) and though the Cayenne Coupe can technically maintain extra (under proper), it has a much less useful area and can also be an even bigger car. I additionally needed to take away it is cargo cowl.
Now, talking of cargo covers.
The Mach-E’s isn’t a conventional cargo cowl with an enormous cartridge that plugs into the perimeters and takes up a ship load of cargo capability. It is also not a inflexible hatchback-style cargo cowl as within the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.
It is as a substitute a chunk of mesh that plugs into factors on the liftgate and the automotive’s cargo opening.
At first blush, this might sound inelegant and never worthy of a automotive carrying a $50,000-plus price ticket. The unique Chevy Volt had a mesh cargo cowl and it was awfully low cost. Nevertheless, I’d argue this is a great, useful design.
First, it is extremely skinny, that means it might cowl your cargo with out taking over a lot area and/or needing to be eliminated to realize most cargo capability. I virtually at all times do these baggage exams with and with out the cargo cowl since it might make an enormous distinction. It made no distinction within the Mach-E — partly as a result of the “spill over” area above proved ineffective, however partly due to this cowl’s performance.
The above image exhibits the cargo cowl in place over all items of baggage. That is uncommon amongst compact SUVs.
There’s a slight hitch …
Closing the hatch and canopy over all the baggage dislodged the quilt from its plugs, nevertheless it nonetheless did its job of protecting the cargo from prying eyes. I say it is a web win.
Higher nonetheless, the quilt folds in on itself (not not like a windshield sunshade or my laundry hamper) making for extremely simple storage ought to it certainly get in the way in which of your baggage stuffing. It is so small and flat, you may stash it virtually anyplace amongst the baggage again there. Strive that with an enormous, vehicle-wide cargo cowl reel.
And at last, let’s speak concerning the frunk. Ford says it might maintain 4.7 cubic-feet of stuff, which is greater than a Miata’s trunk. It positive would not look that huge, nonetheless, and there was this odd divider in our check automotive that could not be eliminated with out eradicating plastic rivets (that I’d virtually definitely find yourself breaking).
As such, the Mach-E frunk might maintain exactly 0.0 luggage. It does have two cupholders, although, and we already know it is good for shrimp.
And relaxation assured, there’s nonetheless the government-mandated escape button ought to Buzz Lightyear or Ant-Man get locked inside.
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