Comparing Electric SUVs: The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2024 Chevy Equinox EV

Electric vehicles are all the rage lately. They’re a major focus of the automobile industry, and with good reason. Moving toward a world of electric vehicles will mean better efficiency and lower emissions. All the major manufacturers seem to be making a bid to corner some of this burgeoning market. Chevy and Ford are no different, as innovators in their own rights. With the popularity of SUVs as versatile, family-friendly vehicles, it’s unsurprising both brands have dedicated resources to launching their own electric SUVs.

Let’s explore the differences between the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2024 Chevy Equinox EV, since each has unique characteristics and specifications. If you are looking to buy a new electric vehicle in 2024, this will help you determine some of the features and functionalities that go along with EVs that you should be aware of. The Equinox EV is brand new to the market this year, so we’re excited to dive into some of its features and see how it shakes up against the Ford Mach-E.

What Is an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

Before we discuss what makes these two electric vehicles different, we should discuss the different types of EVs to better understand the powertrains of the Chevy Equinox EV and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Plenty of people get confused between HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs. They all have an electrical component, but they’re not the same.

HEV: Hybrid electric vehicles get most of their power from regular internal combustion engines. However, they also have a battery and electric motor(s). This battery stores power generated by the gasoline engine, plus a little bit captured when the vehicle brakes. While some HEVs can drive a short distance on electric power alone, the gas engine is the predominant power source.

PHEV: This is one step up from an HEV. They’re rather similar, but you can also choose to plug in your PHEV vehicle instead of only relying on the gas engine to charge up. In other words, you can return home with a mostly depleted battery, plug it in overnight, and leave the next morning with a full charge, extending how far you can go on electric power alone. However, the maximum range still comes from the gasoline engine.

EV: Neither the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV nor the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E have a traditional, gas-powered engine at all. They are purely electric vehicles, relying on a battery and electric motor for their power. This divergence from gasoline and diesel engines marks a significant shift in the automobile industry.

Overall Differences

Both the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV and the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E are compact electric SUVs. They both seat up to five people and can easily fit plenty of luggage in the cargo area. Both have excellent range and plenty of power to get you to your end destination easily.

However, the overall purpose and vibe of these electric vehicles feel pretty different. The Equinox EV was designed to give the market a practical, family-friendly SUV option. It bears a strong resemblance to the gas-powered Equinox, giving it a look and feel that is quite familiar to traditional Chevy drivers.

The Mustang Mach-E, however, is a radical departure from the traditional Mustang for which it is named. It was designed more for someone looking for a sporty and fun vehicle to drive around in that can still handle the day-to-day tasks. If you’re looking for something a bit more fun and versatile, go with the Mustang Mach-E.

Differences in Design

The Chevy Equinox EV and the Ford Mustang Mach-E look quite different. The Equinox takes pointers from Chevrolet’s “all-American” past while retaining the sleek and aerodynamic styling that we expect from an EV. It looks sturdy and is built in a muscular style, ready to take on any challenge. Even though an electric vehicle may seem a little less macho than a throbbing gas-guzzling V8 under the hood, the Equinox EV looks ready to overcome any challenge you throw at it.

Where the Equinox EV looks ready to rumble, the Ford Mach-E has a distinctive “street style.” It draws most of its styling cues directly from the traditional Mustang, with aerodynamic lines and the signature pony badge emblem that is known so well. The overall look is sporty and fast. Both of these SUVs will fit into any modern city or fly down the highway, just in different ways.

Going the Distance

Moving our understanding of fuel efficiency away from the standard gasoline and MPG ratings we already know is somewhat complicated. It’s a new world, though, and electric vehicles get ratings based on how far they can be driven on a single charge. Efficiency is one of the top reasons drivers are choosing EVs. Many want to eliminate their weekly fill-up routine so they can save money and help save the environment.

The Equinox EV can reach an EPA-estimated 319 miles of electric range, while the Mach-E’s maximum range is 312 miles. This isn’t a significant difference, especially considering there are multiple engine options and drivetrain configurations to consider with each. Whichever vehicle you choose will help you save money by not fueling up on gasoline every week.

One of the most common concerns about EVs has been their range, but modern EVs like these match traditional gas and diesel vehicles, making this no longer an issue. Instead, there is some concern among folks about how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle. Instead of a five-minute pit stop, will it take hours to recharge in the middle of your trip? This may have been true in the past, but just like range, manufacturers are addressing these concerns. During a road trip, you can just plug in when you stop for a meal or a bathroom break, then hit the road again, just like you’ve always done before.

What About Power?

A common belief about electric vehicles is that they are weaker than their gasoline-fueled counterparts. This couldn’t be further from the truth, particularly when it comes to acceleration. Unlike internal combustion engines, which need to rev up some RPM before getting into their optimum powerband, electric motors can generate their maximum power and torque from a dead stop. This not only eliminates the need for a traditional transmission, but it also enables some truly staggering acceleration. Both the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E and 2024 Chevy Equinox EV offer some truly impressive powertrain options.

The Chevy Equinox EV offers three drivetrain options. The standard battery in a single motor, front-wheel drive configuration provides 210 horsepower, plenty for getting around town. If you want a little more oomph, as well as greater range, you can step up to a larger battery that increases horsepower to 290 and range to the maximum of 319 miles. Chevy also offers what they call eAWD, providing an all-wheel drive option by adding a second motor to the rear axle. Horsepower remains at 290, but the extra motor slightly reduces the range to 285 miles. The extra traction and sure-footed acceleration may be worth it to you.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E also offers multiple powertrain options. You can choose from either a 72 kWh or 91 kWh battery, as well as single or dual-motor configurations. These produce anywhere from 266 horsepower in the most basic model to 480 horsepower in the Mustang Mach-E Rally, the ultimate performance version of this electric SUV. The Mustang Mach-E gives you more choices and has an option for drivers that value performance.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E at DePaula Ford

We’re excited to bring you the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E at our dealership this year. The original Mustang has been a favorite of customers in our area, and for good reason. We’re sure you’re going to love the all-electric version, too.