Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Subaru Solterra

The 2026 Subaru Solterra underwent a significant styling refresh, debuting a new EV face shared with other Subaru models like the Trailseeker and Uncharted. The front of the vehicle featured daytime running lights with six elements, symbolizing the stars in the Pleiades cluster, and a redesigned grille that distinguished it from its Toyota bZ twin. However, the styling changes were mostly concentrated at the front, leaving the headlights and taillights mismatched. The body sides retained the box fender flares reminiscent of older Subaru models, and the unpainted plastic cladding from the 2025 model was mostly painted black or body color for 2026. Subaru claimed to have made substantial changes under the skin, including a different front subframe, motor mounts, and an improved crash structure. The roof structure was altered to eliminate the support beam bisecting the glass roof panel, and sound-insulating material was increased. Inside, the Solterra maintained its quirky interior with an oddly-shaped steering wheel and a lack of a glovebox, but offered new black-and-blue two-tone leather upholstery on the top Touring XT grade.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E stood out with its Mustang-inspired design, featuring a familiar grille insert and squinting headlights. The sculpted sides and SUV-coupe-like profile added to its sporty theme, while the rear showcased a roof spoiler and Mustang sequential three-bar taillights. Most models came with 19-inch alloy wheels, with the GT trim getting 20s. The Rally trim offered a rally car-inspired look with black roof, wheel arches, and side cladding, along with dish-style wheels. Inside, the Mach-E featured synthetic leather that mimicked the real thing, with contrast stitching on the doors, dash face, and center console. The GT had sport seats with bigger bolsters, and the Rally added aluminum pedals and "Mach-E Rally" logos. Ambient lighting was available in all but the base Select trim.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra continued with standard all-wheel drive and saw a slight increase in battery-pack size to 74.7 kWh. The output increased to 233 horsepower, with the new XT models offering 338 hp and a 0-60 mph time of under five seconds. Despite the power boost, the Solterra's acceleration felt quick only to those unfamiliar with EV torque. Subaru claimed changes to the AWD control logic for better torque delivery, but the difference was hard to detect. The heavy steering and aggressive traction control limited the fun of cornering. The Solterra excelled in refinement, with a quiet cabin and improved ride quality. The regenerative braking system offered five settings, but the maximum regen required occasional brake pedal use. The Solterra's off-road capability was limited, with 8.3 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode drive modes, but it struggled on a short off-road course.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a single-motor RWD setup producing 264 hp and a 73-kWh battery for 260 miles of range. Dual-motor setups increased output to 325-370 hp, with the GT trim delivering 480 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. The Rally trim shared the GT's powertrain but had a range of 255 miles. The Mach-E's immediate torque made it quick off the line, but power delivery differed from a traditional V8. The GT's Performance Upgrade increased torque to 700 lb-ft, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. The Mach-E offered different sound modes, with Unbridled mode sharpening throttle response. The Mach-E handled well with a low center of gravity and rear-drive bias, but the ride was less refined, especially in the rear. The GT and Rally had stronger Brembo brakes, with the Rally offering a playful character and RallySport mode for gravel roads.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra's interior dimensions remained unchanged, offering reasonable space for its segment. It trailed rivals in second-row legroom but had competitive first-row legroom. Cargo space was limited, with 23.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, trailing the Ford Mustang Mach-E by 5.9 cubic feet. The Solterra lacked a frunk but had a raised center console with a storage tunnel. Cabin heating was addressed with radiant heaters, but the air conditioning struggled on sunny days.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a spacious interior with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were power-adjustable, with heated and ventilated options available. Cargo space was better than expected, with 29.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Mach-E's sloping roof limited space compared to some rivals, but it had a 4.8-cubic-foot front trunk with a drain plug for added utility.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra featured a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen standard on all models, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dual USB-C ports were available for each row, along with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. A Harman Kardon audio system and digital rearview mirror were available on higher trims. The touchscreen was easy to reach but lacked physical controls for some climate settings. A voice assistant and cloud-based navigation required a data subscription.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E had a 15.5-inch portrait-style touchscreen with Sync 4A software, which was starting to show its age. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster displayed basic information. The touchscreen was easy to use and could be updated over the air. The Ford Connectivity package offered a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, real-time navigation, and a voice assistant for a year. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad and B&O audio system available.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist system with emergency steering assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control offered hands-free driving at low speeds on pre-mapped roads. A 360-degree camera system was standard on higher trims. Previous models earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. BlueCruise hands-free driving was available for a fee, offering Level 2 driver assistance on mapped highways. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.