For years Consumer Reports rates the new vehicles in a variety of categories. It just revealed its Top EV pick for 2022. Replacing last year’s Tesla Model 3 is the Ford Mustang Mach-E. We’ll break down how CR determined the Mach-E as the best of 2022.

The Mach-E scored the best in multiple categories

CR factors a variety of metrics it scores each vehicle on. These include road tests, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. The highest overall score gets the CR Top Pick.

Part of the reason the Model 3 got bumped is that the Mach-E is quieter, rides better, and is more practical. The Mach-E entertainment center was easier to navigate, and CR found it doesn’t need multiple steps to activate the most common commands. Things like turning on the defroster or adjusting the mirrors require only one step as opposed to the Model 3s multiple commands.

From CR’s auto surveys of last year’s Mach-E owners, it also determined that reliability goes to it over the Model 3. CR found that the Model Y was a closer match than the Model 3 to the Mach-E. But the consumer group says that the reliability of the Model Y has not been good. 

Mach-E owner surveys helped in the scoring

Paint, body flexing, body hardware, power equipment, and the climate control system have all been issues for owners. Those same owner’s surveys for the Mustang have shown little in the way of problems. That resulted in it rocketing over both Tesla models. 

CR called out the driver monitoring system as another advantage over Tesla. Scores are increased with driver assistance and driver monitoring systems. With Ford’s BluCruise assistance system, it sends out warnings if it detects the driver being distracted. 

With Tesla’s AutoPilot system, if the driver keeps one hand on the steering wheel, these same distractions get a pass. In fact, CR was underwhelmed enough that for 2022, Tesla as a brand fell to 23rd place out of 32 brands. The consumer group especially disliked the steering yoke. “It is not just about making it harder to turn the wheel, but they also got rid of the turn signal stalk,” said Jake Fisher to CNBC. He is the CR senior director of auto testing.

“It really feels well built”

CR told CNBC that the Mustang had a great ride and was very quiet. “It really feels well built,” said Fisher. The MotorBiscuit team also found the quality of the Mach-E to be superior. It gave the Mustang its Top EV of 2021 pick. So it looks like our impressions of the Mach-E mirror Consumer Reports feelings about Ford’s first all-electric vehicle. 

If there is any downside at all to the Mach-E, it is that Ford dealers are still sometimes gouging buyers. Some try to justify the $10,000-or-more dealer markup by installing aftermarket wheels and tires. And in some cases, the new wheels look cheaper than the factory wheels. 

But as for the car itself, CR was right in giving the Mustang Mach-E its Top Pick for electric vehicles in 2022.