New Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD 2021 review

Verdict

In Extended Range AWD form the Mustang Mach-E offers impressive range. That’s key for an EV at this price point, but while the styling will turn heads (and maybe split opinion) some of the quality could be better. Plus, although performance is strong and the handling delivers an element of fun, the ride is just a little too firm. But the car has an individual appeal and identity, which we very much like.

The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s electric sensation, the car that turned the Mustang nameplate into a family. We’ve tried it in Standard Range rear-wheel-drive trim and liked its balance of affordability and usability thanks to its range, but with a claimed 335 miles from its 88kWh (usable) battery, this Extended Range AWD car is pricier, at £57,030. So is it as appealing?

On the first count the Extended Range car’s bigger battery certainly helps. Even in poor conditions our car indicated more than 300 miles from a full charge, and cruising at 60mph, it used one mile of range for every mile travelled. So it’s also predictable, which helps reduce any range anxiety.

But a big battery means longer recharging times too, and while the Extended Range model offers rapid recharging at up to 150kW, taking 45 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent refresh (or adding 66 miles of range in 10 minutes at its fastest rate), topping up using a home wallbox will take 14 hours. However, it’s rare that you’ll have to recharge from completely empty, so there is that caveat, and the flexibility the bigger battery brings is certainly worth it.

The all-wheel-drive powertrain gives strong performance, though. The battery feeds a pair of electric motors, one on each axle. And even though this model weighs 2,182kg, its 346bhp and 580Nm allow a swift 5.1-second 0-62mph time.

From a standstill the motors ramp up smoothly rather than thumping like some performance EVs, but once the Mustang is rolling, its acceleration is more than you’ll ever need. Just be prepared for your predicted range to decrease at a rapid rate if you explore this most high-performance model’s ability in a straight line.

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When it comes to handling, the Mach-E struggles to disguise its kerbweight like it can in a straight line. There’s plenty of grip and in typical Ford fashion the steering is fast and gives a nice connection to the front wheels – it’s one of the better mainstream EVs in this respect – but to control the mass, the set-up has to be quite stiff. As a result, if you hit a bump in a bend it can shudder through the chassis, while the ride comfort over rougher surfaces is also firm.

However, apart from the odd trim rattle, this firmer set-up doesn’t unduly impact refinement, with very little electric-motor whine and not much wind noise on the move, so the Mach-E is relatively relaxing.

In morphing the Mustang name into an SUV, practicality is covered. Rear room is fair, but the Ford is based on a heavily adapted combustion-engined platform, so packaging isn’t quite as good as in some EVs that use bespoke electric architecture, such as the Skoda Enyaq iV. This is also highlighted by the Ford’s 402-litre boot; some rival SUVs are bigger. That’s partly due to the raked tailgate that gives a sleeker look, with head and tail-lights plus rear haunches reminiscent of the Mustang coupé.

This top-spec trim features plenty of equipment, including adaptive LED lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a B&O stereo, a powered tailgate, a 360- degree camera and a panoramic roof.

The huge 15.5-inch touchscreen features everything you’d need, including the latest connectivity, while it acts as a control point for all of the car’s main functions. There’s a secondary driver display behind the steering wheel.