Now that it's been out for a couple years and the drama of putting the Mustang name on an electric has mostly subsided, the Mustang Mach-E carries on with reduced pricing and more options. With many more similarly sized EVs in this segment now, it's clear that the Mustang Mach-E continues to cater to an enthusiast type of driver. At its base it delivers 266 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of instant torque and at its best an impressive 480 horsepower with 634 lb.-ft. of instant torque rated at 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.
The Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric five-passenger SUV that was all-new for 2021. For 2023, it is available in four trim levels known as Select, California Route 1, Premium, or GT. 2024 models will see the addition of a new off-road-oriented Rally model and the discontinuation of the California Route 1 model. The various models are then offered in variations of standard or extended range as well as rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Minimum range is 224 miles on a standard range eAWD model, and the highest available range is an extended range RWD model that is estimated at 310 miles. Base prices start at $39,895 for the RWD Select model and can climb as high as $60,340 for the GT extended range performance edition. All models currently qualify for the federal tax credit of $7,500. Similarly sized electric crossovers include the Honda Prologue, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo XC40 Recharge and the Tesla Model Y. After a week in the Mustang Mach-E Premium eAWD, here's what stood out...
Performance (+)
I spent a week in the extended range Premium AWD model which comes with an 91kWh battery that generates 346 horsepower and 428 lb.-ft. of instant torque. From a complete stop this vehicle flies and will throw heads back into the seats. It has an estimated 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds, and it does so in silence. Plenty of power carries over to the highway as well where it handles traffic and passing like a nimble sports car. The Mach-E was impressively agile with tight, responsive steering. There was no lag or heavy body lean making this an absolute blast to drive. Overall, it feels engaging and playful.
There are three drive modes known as whisper, engage, and unbridled. These would be the equivalent of eco, comfort, and sport in a typical car. Switching through the modes didn't seem to make significant differences and so I tended to utilize unbridled. While the Mach-E maintained its composure at high speeds and around turns, the tires didn't seem to be the ideal fit for this one (more on that further down) as there was a slight feeling of disconnect from the road at some points. Opt for the Mach-E GT Performance Edition for the ultimate performance with 480 horsepower, 634 lb.-ft of torque and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. For the naysayers on the use of the Mustang name, they'll need to get behind the wheel to understand why it's worthy.
One-Pedal Driving (+)
Regenerative braking is maximized in one-pedal driving in which the Mach-E balances all the electronics to capture energy for later use. It can be selected on the same screens as the drive modes and is truly a one-pedal driving experience that will bring the SUV to a complete stop. When you release the gas pedal, it will slow down similar to how a golf cart operates. It takes some getting used to, but once mastered it allows you to sit at a stop light without any feet on the brake pedal allowing you to launch the car when that light turns green. Ford's system works well and can be easily switched to a normal driving mode if it's not your ideal way of driving.
Range / Charging (+/-)
The overall range hovered around 280-290 miles when fully charged on the extended range model which is on par with the competing EVs of the same size. Standard range models offer around 250 miles and RWD models top 300 miles. When charging the Mach-E in a standard 120V power outlet, you'll add about 3 miles of range per hour which is pretty slow compared to other EVs or PHEVs I've tested. Charging overnight at home for 8+ hours was never enough to fully replenish the 50-ish miles I used on my daily commute.
Opt for a 240V outlet and you'll get 20 miles per hour of charge, but the best option is tapping into a DC Fast charging station where you can get around 60 miles of range in 10 minutes. When plugged into a DC Fast Charger it will boost range to 80% rather quickly, but that final 20% still seems to take more time than other EVs. Ford includes an app-based icon on the infotainment screen that will help you find the nearest available charger when needed.
BlueCruise (+)
Ford's Blue Cruise is hands-free driving technology available with a 90-day complimentary trial on all Mustang Mach-E SUVs. This semi-autonomous driving worked phenomenally and is intuitive to use. At the touch of a button on the steering wheel the truck will take over as you set the speed and distance from the vehicle in front of you. A driver-facing camera makes sure you're keeping your eyes on the road while the truck steers and keeps itself centered in the lane. From time to time, it will request hands on the steering wheel, but I generally could spend most of my 20-mile highway commute letting the Mach-E do the driving. It operated seamlessly and smoothly as it adjusted speeds to accommodate for traffic changes or vehicles merging in front. This was a very comfortable adaptive cruise control / semi-autonomous driving system.
Exterior Styling (+)
If head turns or comments from strangers are any indication, then this is a good-looking SUV. The Mach-E has a style of its own that is intriguing. Ford prefers to call it an SUV, despite its crossover/ car-like shape but regardless it's a different take on what many picture a Mustang to be.
The proportions are great with an extended wheelbase that minimizes overhangs in both front and back along with a nice ride height. Mustang design cues can be seen in the elongated front end with muscular rounded fenders that come to halt in the front with a wide aggressive front face. At the center of the non-grille is the Mustang badging which is emphasized with a piano black strip outlining the shape of the area. Slim sequential headlights have sharper lines that contrast with the rest of the Mach-E's rounded, smooth shape. The piano black trim continues around the wheel arches and the entire bottom of the car giving it a sporty, but elegant look. It adopts a coupe-like roofline with a rounded roof that arches to the back taillights. A black roof and integrated spoiler further emphasize the smooth roofline. Around back, the signature sequential three-bar Mustang taillights are updated with clear lenses and an extension into the hatch. Ford designed a vehicle that stands out and intrigues people.
Wheels / Tires (-)
Except for the GT performance wheels, I feel that Ford missed the mark on Mach-E wheel designs. All other trims get either 18 or 19-inch wheels in a few different finishes and styles. Overall, the design is ok, but it doesn't wow like the rest of the car and the wheels look like they'd better suit a top trim economy car. For a vehicle like this, I would like something a bit more edgy and bold such as the ones on the GT performance model. Adding to the disappointment were the 225/55/R19 Michelin tires that never felt completely connected to the pavement. Since Ford is billing this as a performance SUV, I'd like to see wider performance spec tires available on the other trim levels.
Door Handles (+)
Door handles are a necessity in vehicles for obvious reasons, Ford found a clever way to integrate them by executing buttons that pop the doors open. The buttons are placed on all four window trims and on the front doors there is also a small black latch to pull it open. They blend in with the black trim and keep the sides of the car smooth and clean. The touch of the button will pop the doors open and allow for easy entry into the SUV. As a bonus, there are no additional water lines after running it through the car wash that always trickle down from the handles.
Technology (+)
Hopping inside, drivers will face a 10.2-inch rectangular digital cluster behind the steering wheel and an available head-up display. It has a very futuristic interior with one large 15.5-inch vertical infotainment screen at the hub that utilizes Ford's SYNC 4 system. The screen operates much like a tablet and is user friendly integrating with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There is a large dial knob toward the bottom for volume controls. The screen itself is divided into sections with the top half focusing on one primary function such as audio, navigation, or vehicle settings among the options. Below that are a series of tiles that you can scroll through for quick access and at the bottom are the climate controls on either side of the volume knob. At the top of the screen, you can navigate back to a home screen filled with app icons or tap the Mustang Mach-E image for vehicle settings. Ford has also incorporated some sharp and engaging digital graphics upon entering the vehicle.
Outside of the screen, other technology highlights are the wireless device charger, an available 9-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and Ford's Co-Pilot 360 suite of driver assist features. Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, evasive steering assist, front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, lane centering assist, intersection assist, rear cross traffic alert, reverse brake assist, traffic sign recognition, and Ford customizable MyKey system.
Interior Vibe (+)
The materials used inside the Mach-E are a step above and work together to create a modern sporty vibe. The top portion of the dash incorporates a fabric like material that stretches across. The climate vents are nicely tucked in the middle of the dash in a subtle way that separates the dash into two units. A wireless charging tray is the base of the floating center console along with a jog dial for selecting gears. Additional storage is tucked underneath the charging tray and in the center console. Up above is a fixed panoramic glass roof (standard on premium models) that lets in plenty of light but does not include a closable sunshade. Comfortable heated seats are available with synthetic leather upholstery and multi-color ambient lighting can really set the mood. There is ample head, leg, and shoulder room up front. Rear seats are tighter for taller adults, but comfortably accommodated three kids.
Frunk (+)
Extra storage space is always a bonus and it's even better in an unexpected space such as the front of the car. Pop the hood of the Mustang Mach-E and you're treated to a small, but useful space at the front of the car hence its designation as a 'frunk' (front trunk). This space is also designed with a drainage system and cup holders so that you can really fascinate people while tailgating.
Cargo Cover (-)
A common feature in SUVs is a rear cargo cover to hide your belongings and it doesn't need to do much more than that. It's not something most buyers even pay attention to, however, the available cover in the Mach-E is so flimsy that it doesn't stay in place and flaps in the wind with the windows open. It's certainly not a deal breaker but a nuisance that was notable.
Final Statement
I enjoy the Mustang Mach-E and it remains one of the more engaging electric SUVs available. It's quick off the line, is extremely agile, and the one-pedal driving works very well. Ford designed a vehicle that turns heads and blends coupe-like features with compact SUV functions. Competition has grown and there are others that offer more space and range, but the Mach-E is still a solid choice. Ford recently reduced prices on all models making it an even more affordable option in the class.
First Impression Summary:
Test Vehicle: 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium eAWD
Exterior Color: Carbonized Gray Metallic
Interior Color: Light Gray Perforated ActiveX
Notable Options: Extended Range ($8,600)
MSRP as tested: $67,575 (With Delivery/Destination)
Pros: Engaging drive, quick acceleration, good range, intuitive technology, Blue Cruise
Cons: Standard wheels/tires, flimsy cargo cover
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