Ford Mustang Mach-E review

Introduction

What did you think when you first heard of the Ford Mustang Mach-E? That it was a new muscle car maybe? Unless the "E" in the name was a giveaway, you probably didn't expect a new Mustang to turn out to be an electric SUV.

And why would you? For more than half a century the Ford Mustang formula has remained virtually unchanged: macho styling, a big lumbering V8 engine and a simple rear-wheel-drive lay-out. The Mustang Mach-E you see here is a very different pony though. It was Ford's first real foray into the electric car market, leading the way for the Ford Capri, Ford Explorer and Ford Puma Gen-E.

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If you decide you want a Mach-E you can choose from two battery capacities (Standard Range and Extended Range). The amount of performance you get depends on which version you go for, and the Extended Range has the option of rear-wheel drive (RWD versions) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT video review

As well as the Tesla Model Y, similarly priced electric cars include the Audi Q4 e-tron, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID 4. Plus there pricier rivals wearing premium badges, including the Audi Q6 e-tron, Genesis GV60 and Lexus RZ.

Read on to find out how we rate the Ford Mustang Mach-E in all the important areas and how it compares with the best electric SUVs...

Overview

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a well-equipped and relatively spacious electric family SUV, but its average ride, so-so build quality and relatively slow maximum charging rate are a bit disappointing. If you have your heart set on one, we recommend the entry-level Standard Range RWD for the best value.

Our pick

Standard Range 73kWh Select SUV 5dr Electric Automatic (268 ps) review

RRP £50,840

Pros

• Generous amount of standard equipment
• Extended Range versions have a long battery range
• Good infotainment system

Cons

• Average ride
• Inconsistent handling
• So-so build quality for the class

Our pick

Standard Range 73kWh Select SUV 5dr Electric Automatic (268 ps) review

RRP £50,840

Trims available

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Select

The entry-level trim comes with plenty of standard equipment, including LED headlights, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen, wireless phone-charging, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. This is our pick of the trims.

Premium

Premium is the entry-level trim for the Extended Range model. It comes with lots of extra kit compared to the Select trim, including adaptive LED headlights, sportier styling, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support and red brake calipers.

GT

The top-of-the range GT models get a sportier look and sports seats up front, as well as performance upgrades.

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Performance & drive

What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is

Our favourite version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E is the entry-level Standard Range RWD. Its 264bhp motor delivers plenty of power for most situations and its 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds is the same as a similarly priced VW ID 4 Pro.

The Extended Range RWD model has 290bhp but with a bigger battery to haul around it's only fractionally quicker (by 0.3 seconds). The four-wheel-drive version, the Extended Range AWD, packs 365bhp from its two motors so acceleration is super brisk (0-62mph in 4.3 seconds).

However, if performance is your main concern, the Mustang Mach-E GT is the one to go for. It has two more powerful electric motors for a combined 480bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds – impressive, if not quite as quick as a Kia EV6 GT.

The Standard Range RWD's official range is 292 miles but in our real-world range test with an earlier model it managed 211. The Extended Range RWD can travel the furthest on a full charge, with an official range of more than 370 miles. In our range tests it covered 302 miles in summer weather and 247 in winter. The more powerful Extended Range AWD and GT versions dip to around 340 and 320 miles respectively (beating the EV6 GT's 263 miles).

The Mach-E is no lightweight, hitting the scales at more than two tonnes. You really feel its mass shifting on to the outside wheels when you turn in to a corner with any zeal but it’s still easy to manage. While the Audi Q4 e-tron and VW ID 4 are set up to feel grippy and "safe" when pushing on, the Mach-E feels more playful in bends.

A deliberately heavy right foot can have rear-wheel-drive models exiting bends with a little sideways slip if you turn off the traction control. Even the four-wheel-drive versions direct plenty of power rearwards to help prevent the nose from running wide.

That’s all well and good but the ride and handling balance is only average for an electric SUV. You can find yourself struggling to connect with the quick but inconsistently weighted steering, plus there’s not a great sense of grip from the front tyres.

The Mach-E now comes with a revised suspension set-up that improves ride comfort over earlier versions. Instead of bucking along bumpy roads or undulating motorways, it's now much more settled and controlled at higher speeds.

However, it’s still far from perfect. At low speeds the suspension absorbs the initial hits of potholes and ridges pretty well, but there’s a firmness to the impacts that makes driving on broken roads a bit of a chore, with occupants jostled around in their seats when dealing with larger bumps. The Kia EV6 has a better ride and handling balance while the Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60 and Toyota bZ4X are calmer and more relaxing to drive quickly.

The Mustang Mach-E GT gets adaptive suspension and a lower ride height than other versions. It feels more tied down when cornering and driving over undulating roads, giving you more confidence to push on. However, in the firmest Untamed drive mode the low-speed ride becomes brittle, amplifying every small lump and dimple on the road.

Like the EV6 GT, it’s difficult to get into a smooth rhythm down a country road. If you’re not specifically looking for an SUV, consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – it's more fun and cheaper.

Alternatively, the GT is available with an optional Rally Pack. That includes 19in rally-inspired wheels, all-terrain tyres, a 20mm raised ride height and revised suspension tuned to deal with bumpy dirt tracks. The changes result in the best-riding Mach-E and, provided you avoid the stiffer Untame mode, you get to feel the benefits of having a bit more give in the tyres and suspension that cushion you from the road.

Refinement in the Mustang Mach-E is average for the electric SUV class. Wind noise is well subdued at motorway speeds, but there’s a bit more road noise on the motorway than rivals while four-wheel-drive versions generate a bit more electric motor whine.

There's also a lot of thudding from the tyres and suspension over broken surfaces, although still not as bad as it can be in the Tesla Model Y. We suspect the heat pump causes the brake pedal to buzz and vibrate when working as well.

The response of the accelerator and brake pedal could do with a bit more finesse too. In anything other than Whisper mode (the lowest of three settings), the Mustang Mach-E lunges off the line unless you’re careful with the pedal. The inconsistent brake pedal response makes it hard to stop smoothly, too.

The one-pedal driving mode does what it says on the tin, and will slow the car to a stop in most situations when you lift off the accelerator.

Ford also offers the subscription-based Bluecruise driver assistance system, which allows you to use the adaptive cruise control on some motorways without the need to keep your hands on the steering wheel. Its inputs are smooth and maintain the car’s positioning well but recent legislation means a safety system tells you to put your hands back on the wheel in the form of warning tones and messages, which effectively makes the feature redundant.

"You might be tempted by the GT’s looks and quick 0-62mph time but the brittle low-speed ride was a test of my tolerance for discomfort. If you’re going to commit to that model, I'd pay extra for the Rally Pack’s softer suspension" – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

Behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang Mach-E the driving position is pretty good, even if the manually adjustable seat that comes with the entry-level trim has a fiddly lever to adjust the backrest angle and no variable lumbar support (it does have height adjustment).

The Mach-E driver's seat is comfortable on a long trip but lacks side support through corners (the driving seat of the VW ID 4 is much better). An eight-way electrically adjustable front seat is standard on all AWD models as part of the Tech Pack and that includes plenty of lumbar adjustment. The range-topping Mustang Mach-E GT models get comfy sports seats as standard.

You don’t sit quite as high up as you do in petrol SUVs so it has a less commanding feel than those cars. Even so, you get a clear view forward that’s helped by a low dashboard, while the chunky front pillars are easier to see around than those in the Tesla Model Y.

Over-the-shoulder visibility isn't great due to chunky rear pillars and small rear side windows, but at least the rear windscreen isn’t too narrow. Every Mach-E gets front and rear parking sensors, plus a 360-degree camera. LED headlights are standard too, and are upgraded to adaptive LEDs if you go for any version other than the entry-level Select trim.

A number of buttons and switches have been lifted straight from other Ford car models but at least they’re easy to understand. The Mach-E's controls are easier to use than the ID 4's mass of touch-sensitive buttons.

You get buttons on the steering wheel that are simple to find by feel, and permanently displayed temperature controls that span the bottom of the touchscreen and are big and easy to see. Alternatively, you can use a large dial to control everything, from temperature and fan speed to heated seat settings and sound-system volume.

That dial sits towards the bottom of the big 15.5in infotainment screen, which, as with the Model Y, sits in the middle of the dashboard and controls most of the car’s functions.

Key driving information – such as the speed, battery percentage and the remaining range – is shown on a separate 10.2in digital driver's display behind the steering wheel. It’s not as big as the screen in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 and it’s not configurable, but having one at least makes it much easier than having to look across at the main central screen in a Tesla Model Y.

The infotainment software is responsive, with clear graphics and a relatively logical layout. It's not far off the effectiveness of the Model Y's and much better than in the ID 4. The screen also features multiple sections called cards, each displaying a different application, such as the media player or the sat-nav, at the same time.

You get built-in sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone capability (so you can use your phone apps on the screen) and a wireless phone-charger.

The standard stereo is fine, if a little light on bass, but AWD cars and models equipped with the Tech Pack get a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. That provides a richer, more engrossing sound and comes with a full-width speaker bar that's neatly integrated into the dashboard.

Some of the plastics and faux-leather trim is a bit too shiny and cheap-looking. To the Mustang Mach-E’s credit, its interior features fewer hard plastics than the ID 4 and it’s no worse for fit and finish than the Model Y. That said, it doesn't feel as solid or plush as the EV6, the Genesis GV60 or the Lexus RZ.

"The icons on the Mach-E's touchscreen could be bigger to make them easier to aim for but I found having the screen in close proximity makes it easy to reach." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Passenger & boot space

How it copes with people and clutter

You’re unlikely to be short of head or leg room in the front of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, even if you’re over 6ft tall. For even more head room, try the VW ID 4.

The Mach-E's front seats are mounted a good distance apart to accommodate a wide centre console (with cupholders, the wireless charging pad and some useful cubbies), so you won’t be rubbing shoulders or banging elbows with the person next to you.

Anyone with large hands will curse the front door bins that disappear into a cavity in the door. They’re pretty narrow, making it hard to retrieve smaller items that have rolled to the back.

While there’s plenty of head room in the front, the Mach-E is styled like a coupé and that eats into the height in the rear. The Tesla Model Y and the ID 4 both have more rear head room. However, the Mach-E shades both for knee room in the back.

There's plenty of space for feet under the front seats and a flat floor means it’s equally accommodating for a middle passenger. That said, if you require even more leg room, you can't beat the space offered by the Kia EV6 and Toyota bZ4X.

In terms of practicality, the main boot space has a useful height-adjustable floor that removes the annoying load lip many rivals have. It has 402 litres of volume, which is big enough to fit seven carry-on suitcases under the tonneau cover, plus a front boot with another 100 litres of space. It's designed to be hosed out and features a drain plug so it's a good place to store muddy boots. A powered tailgate is standard on four-wheel-drive models.

Rival electric SUVs can manage more luggage, with the bZ4X taking eight carry-on cases, the ID.4 nine and the Model Y an impressive 10.

The Mach-E's rear seatbacks split and fold down in a basic 60/40 configuration. There’s no ski hatch like you get in the EV6 and ID 4 though. The Model Y has a 40/20/40 split rear bench.

"The storage area under the bonnet is genuinely useful and I was able to house two sets of charging cables in there, with even a bit of room left over." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Buying & owning

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

When the Ford Mustang Mach-E was first released, the entry-level Standard Range RWD version (our pick of the range) was one of the cheaper electric SUVs available.

That still undercuts the entry-level Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y but not by much, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota bZ4X are slightly more affordable. Those rivals are predicted to hold on to their value far better, which makes their PCP finance rates even more competitive. You can compare prices using our New Car Deals pages.

All Mustang Mach-Es come well equipped, with entry-level Select fitted with heated front seats, a heated front windscreen, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, 18in alloy wheels, privacy glass and two-zone climate control.

The Extended Range versions come in Premium trim and get a bigger battery pack with faster charging, 19in wheels, red brake calipers, ambient lighting, adaptive LED headlights, electric front seat adjustment and piano-black exterior highlights.

The AWD models add a Tech Pack that includes a panoramic sunroof.

The performance-focused GT gets a sportier look, 20in wheels and sports seats up front, as well as performance upgrades. The optional Rally Pack adds black stripes and a big rear spoiler, plus, white trim finishers inside on the seats and steering wheel. However, the main draw comes from all the hardware changes mentioned earlier. It’s just a shame you can only have this pack on the most expensive GT model, which makes it difficult to recommend.

If you go for an Extended Range model with the 91kWh (usable) battery, the Mach-E will match the 150kW maximum charging rate of the bZ4X and Lexus RZ. That means a 10-80% charge is possible in less than 40 minutes.

The Standard Range model has the same peak charging speed, but since the 72kWh battery is smaller, it requires a few minutes less for the same charge. At a typical 50kW motorway service station charger, you can expect a 10-80% charge in around 75 minutes.

The Kia EV6 can charge at speeds of up to 258kW, getting from 10-80% in just 18 mins. For long journeys, the Tesla Model Y is an even better bet because they give you access to more of the Tesla Supercharger network.

The Mustang Mach-E didn’t feature in the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey. As a manufacturer, Ford was average overall, finishing 14th out of 31 other brands, below Toyota (fifth) and Kia (11th) but just beating Tesla (15th) and above Volkswagen (18th).

Ford’s three-year, 60,000-mile warranty will give you some peace of mind, but it’s fairly par for the course. Kia offers a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty and Toyota gives you up to 10 years, 100,000 miles.

The Mustang Mach-E scored the full five stars when it was tested for safety by Euro NCAP and it did a very good job of protecting adults in a frontal collision. It has plenty of driver aids to help prevent a crash, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring.

"If you want to really stand out, the GT model is available with an optional Rally Pack that adds white wheels, racing stripes, a big rear spoiler and a 20mm raised ride height. It's not to everyone's taste, but I like it." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

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