Despite Really Liking The Tesla Model Y I Canceled My Order For The Mexico-Built Mustang Mach-E Because of Buttons

On April 27th I published an article here at Torque News about Ford Mustang Mach-E owners rejecting Tesla's minimalist design and explaining they they chose the Mach-E despite it's lesser range compared to Tesla.

One comment that we received under that article is worth particular attention in which a commenter named Steve, explain how important the the physical buttons are for him. 

Torque News does not agree with everything Steve writes, but since the comment merits attention we decided to share it with our readers.

Steve writes:

I canceled my order for a Tesla model Y Premium 2026 in Canada (made in Berlin Germany) and while I was waiting for 2 months for the delivery, I discovered that Ford had a Mustang Mach-E EV ( it's surprising how it's not broadly known). I came across a Motor Trend Youtube review of Top 7 EVS and the Mach-E was number one. So I test drove one and a week later took delivery of a 2025 GT AWD ER long battery range (dealer clearance).

Although I really liked the Tesla Model Y's Driving Experience the lack of buttons really frustrated me and found out that many complained on YouTube videos about it and safety related concerns as a result.

The Mach-E not only gives you all the key buttons that you need for instant access (except a three driving modes button), but Android auto was a sweet sweet bonus.

So many YouTube reviewers talk about how much fun the Mach-E is to drive and that's what I fell in love with: Powerful, agile, responsive.

It makes you feel so much younger again and yet not too crazy young that you want to go at speeds to kill yourself. Still, a few times ramping up on the highway, when I needed some crazy speed, I used it and it felt exhilarating! You feel more powerful and more in control and that's actually a big safety feature in my book ( being able to get out of a tough spot).

In the end, I chose the GT over the Premium because not only did it have more power but it had MagneRide suspension and huge double caliper brakes, which to me makes for a safer car and likely one that will last longer, being more ruggedly built, I believe.
The GT's front seats are also much more comfortable and supportive (even though they don't have the heated seats like the Premium).

Before abandoning Tesla, I checked out Consumer Report and they scored the Mach-E (built in Mexico) 8.5 overall compared to 7.5 for Tesla (built-in Berlin Germany -Juniper model). Wow! Way to go Mexico! The fact that they have built the same model for 5 years with the same teams at the same 3 locations enables the Mach-E to produce the better reliability Vehicles then Tesla!

Another thing about Tesla that really deterred me was the lackadaisical attitude of the sales team and the comments I got from customers in the waiting room was not thrilling. Tesla seems to be not too concerned about their customers... having sudden changes in prices and Design and leaving their customers unheard and really not caring about them. I've been all over the US and especially California and I get the laid-back attitude and the online everything and not too much service on site thing, but everybody else is bending over backwards to get your business including aggressive pricing and Tesla just doesn't care to go about their business and they don't make you feel like you're an important customer.

Plus if you use the FSD full self-driving, it's a very impressive drive, however you have to pay $99 a month for now which is supposed to go up to $199 I hear, and without it, you're screwed because you don't have most of your key buttons - only for measly buttons on the steering wheel. Some drivers told me that they use the voice command which saves them a lot of the times. Well, that's very nice but in an emergency or quick reaction situations, I want a button and I trust my own reflexes better than having to engage in a conversation to find a button in a complex endless menu and then engaging it and taking your eyes off the road to push it. Sorry, that's too big of a price and a risk to take for having an interior that looks like the Star Trek Enterprise.

The Mach-E is sporty, powerful; it looks fantastic and it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It delivers and fires up on all cylinders. I highly highly recommend it!

You will be a much happier driver with it.

Blue Cruise Is Awesome on the highway - Plus, it has the extra safety feature that it will break on its own if there's a car or an animal you missed for a second.

The only caveat I would warn brand new EV owners is to make sure you keep a second car for long trips, as the charging stations Network is still not fully there yet and they take longer to recharge. But really, that's a small compromise. I charge my vehicle at home 98% of the time and it cost me 10 times less than gas, and twice as less than hybrid.

So now, I've got my weekend sporty utility vehicle which is so much fun and I have my weekday more reserved hybrid car which I also use for trips.
The best of Both Worlds!
Happy trails!

Torque News Perspective

From Torque News’ perspective, Steve’s experience highlights something the EV market is starting to reveal more clearly in 2026: many buyers are no longer choosing electric vehicles based only on range, acceleration, or tech headlines. They are increasingly choosing based on comfort, usability, driving confidence, and how the vehicle fits into daily life. The Ford Mustang Mach-E appears to be benefiting from that shift because it blends traditional driver controls, familiar ergonomics, and sporty performance in a way that feels approachable to longtime gas vehicle owners transitioning into EVs. 

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y still delivers one of the strongest EV driving and charging experiences on the market, but Tesla’s minimalist interior philosophy and software-first approach continue to divide buyers. 

Steve’s comment also reflects a broader sentiment we’ve increasingly heard from readers: some EV shoppers want advanced technology, but not at the expense of intuitive controls and customer experience. 

Ford’s strategy with the Mach-E seems to resonate especially well with drivers who want an electric vehicle that still feels grounded in familiar automotive design, while offering excitement, strong highway capability, and a more conventional ownership experience.

About The Author

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News and an automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience writing car reviews and industry news. Now based in the Charlotte region (Indian Land, SC, he founded Torque News in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News on X, Linkedin, Facebook, and Youtube. Armen holds three Masters Degrees, including an MBA, and has become one of the known voices in the industry, specializing in the landscape of electric vehicles and real-world stories of actual car owners. Armen focuses on providing readers with transparent, data-backed analysis bridging the gap of complex engineering and car buyer practicality. Armen frequently participates in automotive events throughout the United States, national and local car reveals and personally test-drives new vehicles every week. Armen has also been published as an automotive expert in publications like the Transit Tomorrow, discussing how will autonomous vehicles reshape the supply chain, and emerging technologies in vehicle maintenance.