Ford Mustang Mach-E review

It was vital that Ford hit the ground running with the new Mustang Mach-E, and the blue oval’s first all-electric SUV certainly hasn’t disappointed. Competitively priced, the Mustang Mach-E delivers a premium air with great family space and decent levels of standard kit, while also offering a reassuringly useful range and practical charging capability.

The Mach-E GT model offers true Tesla-like acceleration, is the more engaging car to drive and, crucially, brings plenty of style and desirability to help it stand out in a rapidly expanding electric SUV market.

About the Ford Mustang Mach-E

With the Government decision to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, the race is on for manufacturers to deliver a range of battery-powered alternatives. All-electric cars that are able to meet the day-to-day needs of drivers, while also offering good value, plenty of style and the all-important kerb appeal that can help to close the deal.

But, building a brand that customers are attracted to and will actually invest in is quite a difficult job, which may explain why Ford has chosen to name its first all-electric SUV after one of its most iconic sports cars: say hello to the Mustang Mach-E.

First on the to-do list for the Mustang Mach-E is to persuade customers away from a rapidly growing list of rivals. The Tesla Model 3 is pretty well established in the market and is a marquee player, while the VW Group offers competition in the form of the ID.4, ID.5 and the Skoda Enyaq.

The Nissan Ariya is our Car of the Year for 2022, while the Korean pair of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are also extremely capable. Further down the price range, the Hyundai Kona Electric provides decent family transport, although the more expensive versions of the Mustang Mach-E could well stand up to scrutiny against the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and the BMW iX3.

With a starting price of around £50,000, the Mustang Mach-E range is split into rear- or all-wheel-drive models, each offering Standard or Extended Range set-ups with usable battery capacities of 70kWh and 91kWh respectively.

Power outputs range from 265bhp for the Standard Range cars, through to the 290bhp RWD Extended Range model and the AWD Extended Range version with 346bhp. The top-of-the-range Mach-E GT offers 480bhp and a staggering 860Nm of torque.

The ability to travel a reasonable distance on a single charge is often uppermost in the minds of potential customers, and particularly those who aren’t used to their car being solely reliant on all-electric power. 

If you opt for a Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended Range version you’ll benefit from up to 379 miles on the road without needing to top up the battery. There are inevitable compromises with selecting a cheaper variant, but Ford claims even the AWD Standard Range car will deliver 248 miles before you need to plug in.

Standard equipment is generous with a substantial 15.5-inch, portrait-style touchscreen given pride of place at the center of the dash, while other creature comforts include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a smartphone charging pad, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.

If you decide to upgrade to the AWD Extended Range version then you’ll not want for much. A ten-speaker B&O audio system is thrown in, along with a panoramic glass roof, a powered tailgate and an Active Park Assist function.

Electric motor, drive and performance

Anyone that drives an all-electric car for the first time will notice the instant acceleration on offer, with some family cars such as the Tesla Model 3 and Jaguar I-Pace delivering supercar-beating sprint times.

Ford has dialled things back slightly for the core Mustang Mach-E range, although it still packs enough performance to keep things interesting. The response from a flex of the right foot is still instantaneous, just not as brutally fast as some rivals - which is perhaps a good thing in a family SUV.  We found the Mach-E still offered the most engaging drive, particularly on twisty B roads, compared to its Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 competitors.

There’s certainly enough power and straight line oomph to keep you firmly pressed into your seat, however. The Mach-E is also one of those rare gems that is able to cover ground quickly, with no loss in levels of refinement or comfort. The ride is maybe a little firm over the worst lumps and bumps, but that's only really felt at slower speeds.

The 480bhp GT model is a slightly different animal in a straight line, with its 860Nm of torque helping it to deliver real punchy performance. The GT also features Ford’s MagnaRide 2 adaptive suspension set-up and bigger 385mm Brembo brakes.

Ford has included three driving modes for the Mach-E: Active is the default setting, followed by the eco-focused Whisper mode, and Untamed which prioritises performance. Each one modifies the throttle and steering responses, along with changes to the cabin lighting. The Untamed setting also adds a fake V8 engine sound in the cabin, although the less said about that the better. 

We found that throttle inputs when in Whisper mode were noticeably easier to manage and the delivery of power and torque was much smoother - it’s our favourite configuration.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

An entry-level 265bhp Mustang Mach-E buys you a rear-wheel drive model with a 70kWh usable battery and a single electric motor. 0-62mph is taken care of in 6.9s, with all cars in the range limited to a top speed of 111mph.

Although lacking the sure-footedness of an AWD set-up, the base car offers more agility and just enough adjustability on the throttle through corners. Upgrading to the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Standard Range model brings an increase in torque - a whopping 580Nm instead of the RWD version’s 430Nm. Consequently, straight line performance improves with the 0-62mph benchmark covered in 6.3s.

The Extended Range RWD car utilises a bigger (91kWh usable) battery and is the slowest sprinter in the Mach-E lineup, taking 7.0s to reach 62mph from a standstill. Those seeking extra pace might be interested in the 346bhp Extended Range AWD model which takes just 5.8s, although the 480bhp Mach-E GT is seriously quick - capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds.

Range, charging and running costs

With prices starting from more than £50,000, the Mustang Mach-E needs to be able to deliver low running costs to help it fit into the day-to-day practicalities of family life. Like every other all-electric vehicle, the Mach-E is exempt from road tax, while business users will benefit from a 2 per cent Benefit-in-Kind rate for 2022/23.

Range anxiety shouldn't be an issue for Mach-E owners, as even the Standard Range RWD and AWD models are able to achieve up to 248 and 273 miles respectively. It’s worth noting that weather conditions, driving style and whether you’re driving in town or on a motorway, all play a part in an EV’s ability to meet its manufacturer’s quoted range.

On our own test the rear-wheel-drive Mach-E averaged 3.5 miles per kWh, which means that we could have achieved 238 miles on a full charge - so pretty close to Ford’s own figures.

Most all-electric SUV owners will have a 7kW home charger and, taking the average cost of a kWh of energy at 16.3p, then charging the Mach-E from your driveway will cost around £12.20 and should take about 11 hours.

Upgrading to the Mach-E Extended range models brings, as you might think, improved mileage from a single charge. The rear-wheel-drive version takes the crown, managing a claimed 379 miles, although the all-wheel-drive car isn’t too far behind with 335 miles. The Extended Range lineup also adds superior 150kW charging ability, compared to 115kW for the Standard Range variants. There isn't too much of a compromise on range for buyers opting for the performance GT model, as Ford claims around 310 miles from a full battery.

Insurance groups

Insurance premiums for all-electric cars tend to be a little higher than their combustion-engined siblings, and it’s no different with the Mustang Mach-E. The Standard Range models start in group 33, moving up to group 40 for the more powerful Extended Range versions.

This seems a little steep when you consider a 222bhp Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid in top-spec Vignale trim (at around £39,000) is in group 21 - certainly something to think about if you’re looking for the most balanced proposition for family life.

The top-of-the-range Mach-E GT model sits in group 47, which is pretty much on par with the Tesla Model 3.

Depreciation

The good news is that, due to its relative freshness and perhaps that famous Mustang name, the Mach-E should boast strong residual values after a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period. Expert data suggests that Ford’s battery-powered SUV should retain around 51 per cent of its value, which is a little behind the Tesla Model 3’s figures of 54-57 per cent.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...

Interior, design and technology

It’s all subjective, but Ford seems to have pulled off a cool, funky design for the Mustang Mach-E - trading on its iconic sports car’s name and style elements, without falling into the trap of looking cheap or tacky.

In the quest to appear more upmarket, Ford has chosen not to include its blue oval badge on the Mach-E, and instead it features the running pony logo of its muscle car stablemate - it is a Mustang after all. There are also some quirky design details, such as the exterior door handles being replaced by a small button that opens the door when you touch it.

Inside the cabin, the Mustang Mach-E feels a little more premium than other Ford models, although there are some carry-over parts that you might recognise such as the gear selector and indicator stalk.

Opting for the entry-level RWD Standard Range car certainly won’t leave you feeling short-changed, as standard kit includes dual-zone climate control, a rear view camera, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, not to mention a modern 15.5-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument display.

Further up the Mach-E price list, the Extended Range models add a touch of luxury with upgraded upholstery, electrically-adjustable front seats, a powered tailgate, a ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a glass panoramic roof.  

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Ford’s radical thinking with the Mach-E extends to the car’s infotainment system. The next-generation Ford Sync set-up comprises a 10.2-inch digital driver’s display and a central 15.5-inch touchscreen on the dash. 

The system is very easy to navigate, has sharp graphics and a home screen that can be configured to show functions that you use regularly. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also feature as standard, should you want to bypass Ford’s own interface. 

The system is entirely touchscreen, and while on the whole it responds quickly, some of the sub-menus can be a little slow to load. However, there’s a digital readout directly in front of the driver which is useful.

Having the 15.5-inch screen angled slightly towards the driver would also make it easier to use, because the display sits very flush and almost vertical on the dash, meaning functions at the bottom of the screen can be a little tricky to see and operate.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

Ford has engineered an equal measure of substance into the stylish-looking Mustang Mach-E. Its bespoke EV platform means that the cabin floor is completely flat, which is a particular boon for the rear middle passenger who can travel in relative comfort without having to straddle the transmission tunnel found in a typical ICE car. You’ll also find extra space in the front for extra cubbies and storage trays.

Front three-quarter visibility is a little compromised due to the large A-pillars and the fact you don’t sit as high up as you might imagine in a big family SUV, while the driver’s view out of the rear screen isn’t the best because of the Mach-E’s sloping coupe-style roof line. Ford appears to have acknowledged this by fitting a rear view camera and front and rear parking sensors as standard across the range.

The Mach-E includes plenty of other practical kit that makes life just that bit easier on the road, with features such as adaptive cruise control, electrically-adjustable front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad and the Active Park Assist system which can automatically locate and steer you into even the tightest of parking spaces.

Dimensions and size

The Mustang Mach-E is slightly longer and taller than a Tesla Model 3, measuring 4,713mm and 1,625mm respectively, although at 1,881mm across the Mach-E is a little narrower which could help when navigating through tighter urban roads.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Driver and passenger space throughout the Mach-E is excellent, with good headroom for all occupants and the ability to carry five adults in decent comfort. The long wheelbase means that legroom is particularly good in the back, even for taller passengers.

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Boot space

Ford hasn’t designed the biggest boot for the Mustang Mach-E and, at 402 litres it lags well behind the Volkswagen ID.4’s 543-litre load space. There is an extra 81 litres of storage under the bonnet of the car, however, which is useful for storing smaller items or perhaps the charging cables, although there is also a separate compartment under the boot floor for various oddments.

Towing

As part of a series of updates, Ford has now generated extra towing capacity, with the Mach-E 91kWh model now able to tow 1,500kg (up from 1,000kg).

Reliability and safety

Industry safety body EuroNCAP awarded the Mustang Mach-E a top five-star rating in 2021. Standard safety kit is reassuringly extensive, with a host of active on-board features helping the Mach-E achieve a 92 per cent score for adult safety, 86 per cent for child protection and 82 per cent for safety assist technology.

All cars include systems such as a Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support, Automated Emergency Braking, a Lane Keeping Aid and a Lane Departure Warning, a Distance Alert, Evasive Steer Assist and a blind spot warning (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert. Ford has also made its Intelligent Automated Cruise Control 2.0 system standard across the range. This function uses the forward-facing camera and navigation system to automatically adjust vehicle speed, not only recognising speed limit signs but also corners and roundabouts. 

The Mustang Mach-E is too new to record a placing in our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, while Ford finished a disappointing 25th out of 29 manufacturers in the best brands poll. With additions to the blue oval range in the shape of the all-new Puma, revised Kuga and now the Mach-E, along with the hugely popular Fiesta and capable Focus hatchbacks, Ford will be seeking signs of improvement next time around.

Warranty

The Mustang Mach-E comes with Ford’s standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, although there is an option for customers to extend this cover to either five years/100,000 miles or eight years/100,000 miles. The Mach-E’s battery is protected by a separate eight-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Servicing

Ford advises customers to contact their approved dealer for information on servicing intervals for the Mustang Mach-E. The manufacturer does offer the Ford Protect Service Plan Plus which allows customers to spread the cost of scheduled maintenance. Taking out a service plan means you also benefit from extended roadside assistance (usually one year’s cover), ‘rescue charging’ and technical help, should you require it, for your home wallbox charger.