Mullen FIVE

The Mullen FIVE is the mainstream electric crossover that US startup Mullen Automotive has been promising since it first appeared at the 2021 LA Auto Show. On paper it is appealing: a claimed 95 kWh battery, 325 miles of range, dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 3.2-second 0-60 mph time and fast charging to 80 percent in around 21 minutes, with prices quoted from about 55,000 dollars to 75,000 dollars for a Touring trim. Mullen has said it gathered tens of thousands of reservations.

The catch is the company. Mullen has repeatedly delayed the FIVE's production timeline, has shifted focus toward launching the high-performance FIVE RS first, and has faced serious financial difficulties with a weak record of delivering vehicles at scale. So the FIVE's specs are claims and announcements rather than proven results, and there is real uncertainty over whether and when it will actually reach customers. It is best treated as a high-risk, unproven proposition.

On its claimed figures, the Mullen FIVE would be a strong mainstream EV: a 95 kWh battery for 325 miles of range, dual-motor all-wheel drive and a 0-60 mph time of around 3.2 seconds, with a 155 mph top speed. Those numbers would put it right alongside established midsize electric SUVs.

The crucial context is that none of this has been independently verified - they are Mullen's own claims for a vehicle that has been repeatedly delayed and not delivered at scale. Until the FIVE is actually produced in numbers and tested by credible third parties, the performance and range should be treated as unproven manufacturer claims rather than established facts.

The Mullen FIVE is expected to come with all-wheel-drive traction, driver-assistance features and multiple airbags, but specific safety details are not confirmed, and the car has no independent crash-test rating from any recognised body because it has not reached real production. As an announced product from a financially troubled startup, its real-world safety performance is unverified. Anyone considering it should treat the safety information as unconfirmed and seek independent data once the FIVE is actually built and tested.

Mullen claims the FIVE will support fast charging, reaching 80 percent in about 21 minutes, alongside home AC charging, using a CCS connector and a 95 kWh battery. As with every other figure, this is a manufacturer claim for an announced vehicle rather than an independently verified result. The real-world charging performance remains to be proven once production cars are actually delivered and tested.

Warranty terms for the Mullen FIVE are not clearly established and would need to be confirmed directly with Mullen Automotive. Given the company's financial difficulties and limited delivery track record, the practical value of any warranty is a serious consideration - a warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. Anyone considering the FIVE should scrutinise the maker's financial and operational stability before relying on any warranty or after-sales commitment.

The Mullen FIVE looks like a sensible, appealing electric crossover on paper - 325 miles of range, quick acceleration, fast charging and mainstream pricing from around 55,000 dollars. The trouble is everything around the car rather than the spec sheet itself: Mullen Automotive is a financially troubled startup that has repeatedly delayed the FIVE, shifted focus to its pricey FIVE RS, and has a weak record of actually delivering vehicles. None of the figures is independently verified, and there is genuine doubt over whether and when the FIVE will reach buyers. Follow it with interest if you like, but for an electric SUV you can actually rely on, established makers like Tesla, Hyundai, Kia or Ford are far safer bets.

On its claimed numbers, the Mullen FIVE would compete with mainstream electric crossovers like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E on range, performance and price. The decisive difference is credibility: those rivals are real, proven, independently tested cars from financially stable, established makers that you can buy today, while the FIVE is an announced, repeatedly delayed product from a troubled startup with unverified figures. So while the Mullen looks competitive on paper, it loses heavily on the things that actually matter to a buyer - proven performance, reliability, support, resale and the simple certainty that the car will be delivered.

Approach the Mullen FIVE with strong caution. Only consider it if you are a high-risk-tolerant buyer who fully understands that the specifications are unverified claims, that Mullen Automotive is financially troubled with a weak delivery record, and that there is real uncertainty over whether and when the car will reach you. Even then, scrutinise the company's current financial and production status, and any reservation or deposit terms, very carefully. For almost everyone wanting a mainstream electric SUV, an established alternative like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 or Ford Mustang Mach-E is a far safer and more sensible choice.

It is not realistically possible to assess ownership costs for the Mullen FIVE, because it is an announced product from a financially troubled startup that has not been delivered or tested at scale. In principle, EV running costs would be low, but the dominant factors here are risk-related: the uncertainty over whether the car will arrive, the unknowns around parts, service and support from a struggling company, and the strong possibility of poor or unpredictable resale value. These risks far outweigh any potential energy or maintenance savings, and should be central to any decision.

Any EV tax benefits for the Mullen FIVE would depend on the market and its actual availability, which is uncertain. In the US, federal and state EV incentives apply to vehicles that are genuinely on sale from operating manufacturers and meet specific requirements, none of which is confirmed for the FIVE given its delays and the company's situation. So while a mainstream-priced EV like the FIVE could in theory qualify for some incentives if it ever reaches the market, you should not count on them - confirm the actual rules and the car's eligibility only if and when it is genuinely available.

Maintenance for the Mullen FIVE is unproven. While an EV drivetrain is mechanically simple, the bigger issue is support: the availability of parts and qualified service from a financially troubled startup is highly uncertain, and there is a real risk that servicing such a car could become difficult if the company struggles. This support risk is one of the strongest reasons to be cautious about the FIVE, and to favour an established manufacturer with a proven service network instead.