Henry Payne reviews the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E features a coupe-like roof-line to mimic its sports car brothers.

The first Mustang SUV, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E features signature Mustang touches like six-slot taillights.

No grille, no problem. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E echoes its sister, gas-powered sports cars - but with a solid grille since batteries need less air for cooling.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) tracks the Tesla Model Y spec-for-spec. 300-mile range battery, 15-inch center screen, AWD SUV, with a starting price in the high-$40,000s.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and Tesla Model Y (right) offer distinctive front ends. As EVs, neither needs a lot of grille airflow without a gas engine.

Frunk-adelic. No gas engines under the hood, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and Tesla Model Y offer front cargo storage.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and Tesla Model Y are prime competitors in the compact SUV luxury segment.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and Tesla Model Y both offer hatchback, SUV utility.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (right) goes right at the Tesla Model Y. Tesla has dominated sales, but the Mach-E seeks to eat into its market share with a similar performance vibe, 300-mile range, and even a GT model.

The "frunk" of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E comes with storage dividers.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E nomenclature explained: The "4" means all-wheel-drive. The "X" means extended range (300 mile) battery.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E interior is dominated by a 15.5-inch screen that offers navigation as well as "pages" for different features like trip info, music, and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Familiar Ford features include a rotary shifter.

Compared to the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Tesla Model Y has a more Spartan interior with a single-screen and minimal dash lines. The torquey, AWD performance, however, is similar.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E has a available panoramic roof. Preening green, the seats are made from Active X vinyl - not cow hide.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is about 2 inches shy on rear legroom compare to the Tesla Model Y. But a 6-footer like Detroit News reviewer Payne can sit in back fine.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E may be electric with a frunk and plug-in port. But otherwise, it has the usual SUV amenities like foldable second row seats for added cargo room.

This 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is equipped with Active Drive Assist hardware for semi-autonomous driving. The hardware consists of a camera and infrared sensor mounted on top of the steering column that monitors the driver's attention. The Active Drive Assist software will be downloaded to Mach-Es in 2021.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E features three drive modes: Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled. The latter is the most aggressive and comes with a corresponding growl to imitate a gas Mustang.

Apple CarPlay and Sirius XM. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E offers Sirius XM and smartphone apps like Apple CarPlay unlike Tesla.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E's console screen is deep in detail about the car.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E navigation screen is big - and its voice recognition software impressive.

Unlike the Tesla Model Y, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E maintains a small instrument display behind the steering in addition to its big, 15.5-inch console screen.

To get to, say, Charlevoix from Ypsilanti, Michigan with 207 miles on the battery (300 is full charge), the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range model will have to hopscotch between EV chargers. Ford offers a holistic plan that allows Mach-E owners to pay charging costs under one umbrella plan.

The 15.5-inch screen in the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E shows off its graphics capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E does not have a dedicated supercharger network like Tesla. However, it will ID nearby chargers and provide information on their charge capability, fee structure, and available stalls.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is available with a 360-degree view camera.

The big, 15.5-inch touchscreen on the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is anchored by a big volume knob.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E can be monitored via an app on your smartphone. The app screen is blown up here on a screen at the Mach-E media introduction.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E can be plugged into 110 and 240-volt outlets, as well as fast charging stations.

Mustang "Easter eggs" are located all over the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. This one is under the front hood.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is Hyde to Mach-E's Jeckyll. It boasts absurd capabilities from its 1400-horse drivertrain and 7 electric motors.

Beast. The Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 race car explores the limits of electric vehicle performance.