Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Subaru Solterra

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E retained its distinctive and sharp styling, with an aggressive front fascia and a sloping profile that maintained its crossover proportions. The tri-bar tail lights, a hallmark of the Mustang nameplate, were refreshed to match the signature lighting of the seventh-generation Ford Mustang. The new Rally trim emerged as the top-of-the-line model, featuring unique styling cues such as LED fog lamps integrated into the grille, a black roof, and a unique front splitter and rear spoiler painted in Dark Carbonized Grey. The Oxford White 19-inch wheels were particularly eye-catching, reflecting a design inspired by rally racing. The interior of the Mach-E continued with its minimalist dash, dominated by a large touchscreen and a narrow strip of a screen above the steering wheel. The Ford Performance front seats, with their heavier bolstering, became standard on the GT trim and carried over to the Rally trim, enhancing the sporty feel of the vehicle.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra, a collaboration with Toyota, shared its platform with the Toyota bZ4X but featured Subaru-specific tweaks and badges. Its styling included grey cladding extending to the headlights and gloss black trim from the taillights, with the Harbour Mist Grey Pearl paint adding to its appeal. The Solterra's interior was unique, with a squircle-shaped steering wheel, digital gauges against the windshield, and a futuristic centre console. The vehicle offered ample storage space, though some areas lacked lining, leading to potential noise from items placed there. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom and comfort, with features like air-conditioning vents and USB-C ports enhancing the experience. The cargo space was substantial, with 674 litres available and expanding to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded, though it lacked a front trunk.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E was known for its firm ride, with the GT trim featuring a MagneRide damping system that allowed for more adjustment by drive mode. The GT Performance Upgrade package increased torque output to 700 lb-ft, maintaining 480 horsepower, resulting in a 0-96 km/h time of 3.3 seconds. The Mach-E GT and Rally trims offered all-wheel drive, with ranges of 451 and 426 kilometres, respectively. The Mach-E's charging experience improved, with the standard-range battery charging from 10 to 80% in 32 minutes and the extended-range version taking 36 minutes. The vehicle also featured Ford's Intelligent Range system, providing real-time range updates.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra came equipped with a dual-motor electric drive system and standard AWD, producing 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. Its range was estimated at 359 kilometres, with a 72.8 kWh battery. The Solterra's charging performance improved for 2024, though a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger only achieved a 65-kW charging speed, taking two hours to fill the battery. The Solterra's efficiency varied, consuming electricity at a rate of 18.8 kWh per 100 kilometres on the evaluation loop but 22.2 kWh/100 km during a week of testing. The vehicle offered three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Power, and included Subaru's Dual Function X-Mode traction system for off-road conditions. The Solterra's handling was secure, though the steering lacked engagement, and it exhibited odd body motions on undulating pavement.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E excelled in interior space, offering 965 litres of cargo space, with 841 litres behind the rear seats and a drainable frunk. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 1,690 litres. The driver and front passenger enjoyed 988 mm of headroom, increasing to 1,026 mm with the panoramic glass roof, while rear-seat passengers had 970 mm, increasing to 998 mm with the roof. Legroom measured 1,100 mm in the front and 968 mm in the rear. The driver’s seat was power-adjustable, with eight-way adjustability for the base trim and 10-way for higher trims. ActiveX seating surfaces were standard, with Miko inserts and performance-inspired perforation adding to the interior's appeal.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra offered easy access due to its high ground clearance. The interior featured StarTex artificial leather, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Solterra provided ample storage space, though some areas lacked lining, leading to potential noise. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom and comfort, with air-conditioning vents and USB-C ports enhancing the experience. The cargo space was substantial, with 674 litres available and expanding to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded, though it lacked a front trunk.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the latest version 4A of Ford’s SYNC infotainment software operating through a 15.5-inch touchscreen. The system included Ford’s Intelligent Range, a cloud-based feature providing real-time range updates. The Mach-E's infotainment system was user-friendly, though some functions required improvement in user experience.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra's base configuration included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Subaru Solterra Connect services. The optional packages upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Solterra's infotainment system was superior to Subaru's Starlink tech, with features like a camera-based digital rearview mirror and Advanced Park assist system enhancing the experience.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered BlueCruise 1.3, a hands-free highway-driving assist software, with a 90-day trial included. The vehicle also featured a 360-degree camera and Ford CoPilot 360 suite, including blind-spot information, pre-collision assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick Award from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra featured Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance systems, with Toyota's underlying tech. New features for 2024 included front cross-traffic alert, hands-free driving, and active lane-change assist. The Solterra's safety systems were comprehensive, though execution needed improvement. The Solterra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.