Review: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Brings Wireless CarPlay to a Huge Infotainment Display

[CartesianProduct2014]

One of the hottest electric vehicles at the moment is Ford's Mustang Mach-E, and I recently had a chance to spend some time in a 2021 model in First Edition trim to test out all of its features including the SYNC 4A infotainment system on a massive 15.5-inch portrait display with support for wireless CarPlay.

I went hands-on with the 2021 F-150 hybrid with SYNC 4 a few months ago, but the SYNC 4A infotainment system in the Mach-E offers a rather different experience.

The Mach-E offers very little in the way of hardware controls, certainly as far as the dash and center stack are concerned, with almost all of the vehicle's functions handled through the main infotainment screen that dominates the vehicle's interior. About the only hardware control in the traditional center stack area is a textured ring for controlling volume, and even that is mounted directly on the screen in a very neat touch.

SYNC 4A Infotainment

The SYNC 4A infotainment system is essentially divided vertically into four sections, with a narrow top bar at the top offering some high-level information on the vehicle and access to some shortcuts, a main app section, a card-based interface for changing between functions, and a climate control section at the bottom.

SYNC 4A relies heavily on the card-based user interface, with the swipeable row of cards offering information on and access to features such as the radio, onboard navigation, phone, owner's manual, and more. Tapping any of them brings the corresponding full app to the main portion of the screen. If you're using CarPlay, that will take over this primary portion of the screen that offers a generous amount of space, but you'll still have access to the native infotainment functions on the rest of the screen.

I've repeatedly noted that I'm not a fan of screen-based climate controls, so that's a knock against the Mach-E. Automatic systems are, however, getting more and more sophisticated to allow you to mostly "set it and forget it" with only the occasional temperature adjustment or a temporary shift to defrost mode, for example. You can also use the built-in voice assistant to make changes to your settings without having to touch the screen.

While the huge portrait display and the volume ring are very futuristic looking, I'm not a huge fan of the overall look of the SYNC 4A system, as it just feels bland to me. That blandness is even more noticeable when you've got CarPlay with its vibrant apps and icons displayed on a portion of the screen.

CarPlay

I still tell everyone who will listen that wireless CarPlay is a life-changing feature, even if you're coming from the wired version. Having CarPlay automatically pop up on the screen without having to take your phone out of your pocket just makes the whole experience so much smoother. So even for short drives where in the past I wouldn't have bothered digging out my phone and plugging it in, with wireless I've got CarPlay up and ready to go if I need it.

Fortunately, wireless CarPlay comes standard with SYNC 4A and the Mach-E, something that's becoming more and more common as car manufacturers have accelerated development on their infotainment systems in response to customer demand and rapidly changing technology.

CarPlay is bright and vibrant on the Mach-E's display, and I like that it only takes up a portion of the screen so I still have access to information and controls from the native system. But while CarPlay is reasonably large on the screen, it's unfortunately not widescreen, which is a feature I've come to appreciate on many cars for the much more expansive view of navigation apps like Apple Maps. Still, CarPlay looks good and works well, and it's well-positioned to be visible while not being too far out of your line of sight while driving.

Ford has also recently rolled out a software update that enables CarPlay to take over even more of the screen, shrinking the native card interface in the row below and offering a more square aspect ratio for CarPlay, although this functionality wasn't available on my vehicle at the time of testing. It seems to have appeared first in the new GT models before making its way into other versions of the vehicle.

Digital Cluster

Similar to the VW ID.4, the Mach-E doesn't have much directly in front of the driver, going for a minimal look that relies on a 10.2-inch display to provide all of the relevant information.

The display shows battery level and range data, current gear, speed, vehicle safety data, navigation prompts, and more, dynamically adjusting as needed based on what's happening with the vehicle. Second-screen navigation prompts for Apple Maps in CarPlay are supported on the driver's display, offering another way to help keep you headed in the right direction.

Charging and Ports

As with most of the rest of the hardware in the vehicle, connectivity options in the Mach-E are a bit sparse, but you do get a set of USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C) located prominently below the center display for wired connectivity. There's another set of USB-A and USB-C ports for second-row passengers.

There's also a wireless charging pad adjacent to the front ports, located under a portion of a rubber mat for keeping other items from sliding around too much. The mat has dividers to separate the main bin into sections, and the wireless charging area is JUST big enough to accommodate a Max-sized iPhone. If you have a bulky case on yours, it might not quite fit.

Wrap-up

Given that this is an Apple site and not an EV site, I haven't focused on some of the main features of the Mach-E such as the driving experience, but I will say it was a joy to drive with the snappy performance you expect from an EV of this type. Acceleration off the line was excellent, thanks in significant part to my tester being a First Edition eAWD model with 346 horses and a 0–60 time of 4.8 seconds. It's not as quick as the new GT editions that can push that time down into the mid-3s, but it's a big step up from the lower-end RWD versions with times closer to six seconds.

As for the SYNC 4A infotainment system and CarPlay, I have mixed feelings about these. The large portrait display is certainly eye-catching, but I don't love the overall look and I wish more functions were still available as hardware controls. The portrait display pretty much precludes the possibility of a widescreen CarPlay layout, but aside from that, I thought it worked well with the SYNC 4A system.

The wireless connectivity was solid in my experience, and wireless phone charging worked well with the tight fit on the charging mat ensuring that my phone couldn't become misaligned while driving. And thankfully, both wireless CarPlay and wireless phone charging are standard across all trims.

I'm glad to see support for Apple Maps directions in the digital cluster coming to more and more vehicles, and Ford has done a good job making that information fit in with the overall look of the system.

Article Link: Review: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Brings Wireless CarPlay to a Huge Infotainment Display

1. Hideous car.

2. Infotainment display is even more hideous than the car.

 

[CartesianProduct2014]

And Tesla wont even give us Apple Music ?

Apple could have owned Tesla but Tim was busy focusing on HomeKit.

 

[Biro]

I'll pass on the Mach-E. Too expensive, range not good enough for my needs and I will not accept that infotainment system. Not to mention virtually all controls must be handled with taps to a screen - meaning one must take one's eyes off the road for everything. I guess that's what all of those pesky electronic nannies that they call "driver assistance" technology (that really don't work correctly) are for, right? Oh, by the way, can those nannies all be turned off? And can the wireless modem that sends all the information back to Ford about how and where we drive, our internet searches and other personal data for sale to third parties be disconnected?

 

[anthogag]

I like the Stang Mach-E. I have seen a few driving around and they look good. It is very convenient when it wirelessly connects.

The car I want to see is the Mustang car EV. I think it's going to be really good.

 

[Orionfox]

View attachment 1912696

As bad as those Pinto based Mustangs were, they were still 2 door vehicles.

They could have done a 2 door electric sports car with the current body style. Adding a 4 door family mobile? Actually worse than Jeep adding a 4 door Wrangler / CJ

 

[Soccerrick10]

1. I like having more physcial buttons to control things like windshield wipers with the Ford. Never feels safe playing with the screen on the Tesla to turn on wipers.

The wipers on the Tesla are automatic sensing / turn on and off. If you need a quick wipe, the left stalk has a button on the end of it. Just give it a push and the wipers activate.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

If you had pointed at this car on the street and asked me what it was, I would never in a million years have guessed, “Ford Mustang”. It… doesn’t look anything like what I remember as Mustangs.

Yeah it looks like a Mazda. Not that I don‘t like the design, but naming it Mustang is a mistake.

 

[mrwood]

One of the hottest electric vehicles at the moment is Ford's Mustang Mach-E, and I recently had a chance to spend some time in a 2021 model in First Edition trim to test out all of its features including the SYNC 4A infotainment system on a massive 15.5-inch portrait display with support for wireless CarPlay.

I went hands-on with the 2021 F-150 hybrid with SYNC 4 a few months ago, but the SYNC 4A infotainment system in the Mach-E offers a rather different experience.

The Mach-E offers very little in the way of hardware controls, certainly as far as the dash and center stack are concerned, with almost all of the vehicle's functions handled through the main infotainment screen that dominates the vehicle's interior. About the only hardware control in the traditional center stack area is a textured ring for controlling volume, and even that is mounted directly on the screen in a very neat touch.

SYNC 4A Infotainment

The SYNC 4A infotainment system is essentially divided vertically into four sections, with a narrow top bar at the top offering some high-level information on the vehicle and access to some shortcuts, a main app section, a card-based interface for changing between functions, and a climate control section at the bottom.

SYNC 4A relies heavily on the card-based user interface, with the swipeable row of cards offering information on and access to features such as the radio, onboard navigation, phone, owner's manual, and more. Tapping any of them brings the corresponding full app to the main portion of the screen. If you're using CarPlay, that will take over this primary portion of the screen that offers a generous amount of space, but you'll still have access to the native infotainment functions on the rest of the screen.

I've repeatedly noted that I'm not a fan of screen-based climate controls, so that's a knock against the Mach-E. Automatic systems are, however, getting more and more sophisticated to allow you to mostly "set it and forget it" with only the occasional temperature adjustment or a temporary shift to defrost mode, for example. You can also use the built-in voice assistant to make changes to your settings without having to touch the screen.

While the huge portrait display and the volume ring are very futuristic looking, I'm not a huge fan of the overall look of the SYNC 4A system, as it just feels bland to me. That blandness is even more noticeable when you've got CarPlay with its vibrant apps and icons displayed on a portion of the screen.

CarPlay

I still tell everyone who will listen that wireless CarPlay is a life-changing feature, even if you're coming from the wired version. Having CarPlay automatically pop up on the screen without having to take your phone out of your pocket just makes the whole experience so much smoother. So even for short drives where in the past I wouldn't have bothered digging out my phone and plugging it in, with wireless I've got CarPlay up and ready to go if I need it.

Fortunately, wireless CarPlay comes standard with SYNC 4A and the Mach-E, something that's becoming more and more common as car manufacturers have accelerated development on their infotainment systems in response to customer demand and rapidly changing technology.

CarPlay is bright and vibrant on the Mach-E's display, and I like that it only takes up a portion of the screen so I still have access to information and controls from the native system. But while CarPlay is reasonably large on the screen, it's unfortunately not widescreen, which is a feature I've come to appreciate on many cars for the much more expansive view of navigation apps like Apple Maps. Still, CarPlay looks good and works well, and it's well-positioned to be visible while not being too far out of your line of sight while driving.

Ford has also recently rolled out a software update that enables CarPlay to take over even more of the screen, shrinking the native card interface in the row below and offering a more square aspect ratio for CarPlay, although this functionality wasn't available on my vehicle at the time of testing. It seems to have appeared first in the new GT models before making its way into other versions of the vehicle.

Digital Cluster

Similar to the VW ID.4, the Mach-E doesn't have much directly in front of the driver, going for a minimal look that relies on a 10.2-inch display to provide all of the relevant information.

The display shows battery level and range data, current gear, speed, vehicle safety data, navigation prompts, and more, dynamically adjusting as needed based on what's happening with the vehicle. Second-screen navigation prompts for Apple Maps in CarPlay are supported on the driver's display, offering another way to help keep you headed in the right direction.

Charging and Ports

As with most of the rest of the hardware in the vehicle, connectivity options in the Mach-E are a bit sparse, but you do get a set of USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C) located prominently below the center display for wired connectivity. There's another set of USB-A and USB-C ports for second-row passengers.

There's also a wireless charging pad adjacent to the front ports, located under a portion of a rubber mat for keeping other items from sliding around too much. The mat has dividers to separate the main bin into sections, and the wireless charging area is JUST big enough to accommodate a Max-sized iPhone. If you have a bulky case on yours, it might not quite fit.

Wrap-up

Given that this is an Apple site and not an EV site, I haven't focused on some of the main features of the Mach-E such as the driving experience, but I will say it was a joy to drive with the snappy performance you expect from an EV of this type. Acceleration off the line was excellent, thanks in significant part to my tester being a First Edition eAWD model with 346 horses and a 0–60 time of 4.8 seconds. It's not as quick as the new GT editions that can push that time down into the mid-3s, but it's a big step up from the lower-end RWD versions with times closer to six seconds.

As for the SYNC 4A infotainment system and CarPlay, I have mixed feelings about these. The large portrait display is certainly eye-catching, but I don't love the overall look and I wish more functions were still available as hardware controls. The portrait display pretty much precludes the possibility of a widescreen CarPlay layout, but aside from that, I thought it worked well with the SYNC 4A system.

The wireless connectivity was solid in my experience, and wireless phone charging worked well with the tight fit on the charging mat ensuring that my phone couldn't become misaligned while driving. And thankfully, both wireless CarPlay and wireless phone charging are standard across all trims.

I'm glad to see support for Apple Maps directions in the digital cluster coming to more and more vehicles, and Ford has done a good job making that information fit in with the overall look of the system.

Article Link: Review: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Brings Wireless CarPlay to a Huge Infotainment Display

Wow the UI looks terrible. Wild West of vehicle UI right now I guess.

 

[patsfan83]

Steve Jobs would like a word:

Nobody opens the owners manual. Why is it on the Home Screen taking up space?

 

[dizastor]

the UI on the touchscreen looks like an intern designed it

 

[MrkJensen]

Yea, it's too fast, modern and forward thinking for a Mustang. The Mustang name should be reserved old smoggy slow boomer mobiles.

Correct a perfect millennial class less plastic turd.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I've repeatedly noted that I'm not a fan of screen-based climate controls, so that's a knock against the Mach-E.

It's funny how much people here want to criticize touch screen controls.

If there's any shred of Jobs and Ives at Apple still, there will be nearly no physical buttons in the Apple Car.

Why would there be? What buttons are so important that they deserve a permanent spot in the car? Jobs recognized the importance of software - every piece of software can be changed to future proof a product. All criticism of how the screen UI looks is... not that important, because Ford intends to update the software on a regular basis. The UI can receive a complete redo.

Of course, there is one glaringly hideous feature in the vehicle, and that's CarPlay. Praising it is like suggesting that you want a Windows desktop in a window on your Mac.

I have used CarPlay in a few rental cars. It's fine. Most cars have crummy 1/5 software. CarPlay is a 3/5, so it's an upgrade in most cars.

Tesla has a 6/5 - CarPlay would be an obvious step back from all the native software in the car. You know I can actually read text messages with my eyeballs in my Tesla? None of the stupid filling the entire screen with Siri's pointless animations the way CarPlay does it. Of course, I'm free to listen to the Tesla read the message if I don't want to look, but the choice is there. And I respond or not by pressing on a physical button (context sensitive, not a permanent thing) on the steering wheel - no need to talk with a brain dead AI about responding the way CarPlay does it.

There's zero features that CarPlay brings to the table for a Tesla owner. I wouldn't be sure that the Mach-E benefits from it... from what I've heard, it seems like they put a bit more effort into it than in the typical car infotainment system.

 

[yanksfan114]

Why are American cars always so ugly...

As Mercedes just came out with the two ugliest cars they’ve ever made in the EQS and EQE

 

[yanksfan114]

As a mustang guy, this is no mustang

I mean they’re Ford, they are the ones who decides what’s a mustang and what isn’t. It’s amazing how much people care about a name of a car.

 

[Scoob Redux]

I think I'd prefer the screen in landscape position instead of portrait. It's like watching Justice League: Snyder Cut in IMAX on your TV. Huge black bars on the side of the screen.

Cinematic aspect ratio is neither desired nor efficient for this application. Traditional center stacks are designed for easy reach by the driver. Landscape orientation would push the right side of the screen out of easy reach of the driver. (Yes, i know Model Y does this, but it's still not as good as portrait.)

 

[Scoob Redux]

CarPlay

I still tell everyone who will listen that wireless CarPlay is a life-changing feature, even if you're coming from the wired version. Having CarPlay automatically pop up on the screen without having to take your phone out of your pocket just makes the whole experience so much smoother. So even for short drives where in the past I wouldn't have bothered digging out my phone and plugging it in, with wireless I've got CarPlay up and ready to go if I need it.

Except that wired CarPlay works so much better. I'd rather have a smooth, responsive interface and lag-free, dropout-free playback than the "convenience" of wireless. In fact, some manufacturers are now putting wireless CarPlay only on entry-level models and wired CarPlay as the upgrade on top-end models. They know where the value is.

 

[Biro]

It's funny how much people here want to criticize touch screen controls.

If there's any shred of Jobs and Ives at Apple still, there will be nearly no physical buttons in the Apple Car.

Why would there be?

Because having all controls on a touch screen requires one to take their eyes off the road in order to accomplish anything. With traditional controls, (i.e. buttons, switches and knobs) one can reach over and operate them by feel. This is the way most people do it once they've owned the car mroe than a week. Tech fans keep forgetting that we're talking about vehicles that are driving on the road - not smartphones or tablets.

 

[bmunge]

Wow is that an ugly car. The interior design is wretched.

 

[Tanbam]

Except that wired CarPlay works so much better. I'd rather have a smooth, responsive interface and lag-free, dropout-free playback than the "convenience" of wireless. In fact, some manufacturers are now putting wireless CarPlay only on entry-level models and wired CarPlay as the upgrade on top-end models. They know where the value is.

I haven’t been able to tell the difference between wired or wireless CarPlay on either this car or on the one that uses a dongle plugged into a USB port for it - except for the lack of charging.

The Mustang tries to help with the wireless charger in the console, but that charger does squat for my iPhone 11 Max. At best, it just maintains the same charge. In my hour-long commute, it might add 2% to the phone battery if I’m lucky.

 

[Chaparral02]

I don't want massive screens in my car.

This new Peugeot has a 49" screen in it ?

A 6.25 mark

 

[SR71]

Yuck, can't do anything by feel... navigating to a submenu to adjust cabin fan speed ?

If I was still in my old car, I'd be saying the same thing as you, but most modern cars have climate controls similar to the ones in your house—you set the temp and it regulates fan speed and location (windshield, body, or feet) to maintain that temp. That's how my Model 3 handles climate control, and how I'd imagine the Mach-E does it too. I generally keep my temp between 68-70 and regardless if it's summer or winter the car cools or heats the cabin perfectly.

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've manually changed the fan controls in well over 6 months now. I basically have adjusted it once so airflow is split going to the right and left side of my head instead of in my face, and have left it there since.

 

[1129846]

How does it handle multiple devices paired? say you and your spouse using it. How does it know which phone if you are both in the car?

With the aftermarket dongle in my current car, it pops up a selection menu that takes 10-15s to time out. Does Ford have similar?

I own a Mustang Mach E. It handles my wife’s and my phone great. It is also super easy to flip between phones. My wife will sometimes go in and just set it her phone to connect and it flips from mine to hers.

My phone is set up as the default and preferred phone so it will connect to mine first if it is in range. That can be a little annoying in the morning as I have been working from home so she takes the Mach E my phone will connect but honestly she drives off and it will flip to hers just fine. That or she overrides it’s. I also think that the default phone can be set threw the profiles and we do have different profiles so I am looking into that.

That all being said I love the car and the huge screen is not really an issue as most of the stuff is laid out really well. I do wish the temp buttons where buttons along with the heated seat controls but for the most part it is a set it and forget it. Heated seats and steering wheel will turn on automatically.

My wife loves the car as well and she was a little uneasy at first and let us get it mostly to keep me happy. Now it is our go to car.

 

[Airforcekid]

If you can’t hot rod cam it it’s not a muscle car(Mustang). Using any other name I would have considered this over my 3. The 2.7L Bronco is calling my name though.

 

[Airforcekid]

Why are American cars always so ugly...

This isn’t a real American car real Mustangs and arguably the Fords worth owning are made in Flat Rock Michigan.

 

[Airforcekid]

And yet it is outselling all other 'mustangs' put together... So, ya, I think Ford called this one right ???

Where’s your proof this has outsold the S550? If your talking about 2021 it’s at end of life most people are holding out for the S650 at this point so sales these past few years will be lower but I still doubt this even out produced them.