Perhaps this is what St. Nicholas’ sleigh should look like now when he delivers gifts to children: modern, quiet, fast, and lightning fast. However, the fairy tale will be different and without any connection to history, which is basically what most people think of an electric Ford Mustang.
Most of us are rather skeptical about the new product of the American brand. How can the legendary Mustang be completely deprived of that bass growl? It’s a parody of muscle cars and will have nothing to do with history. But no one said it would. In fact, this is a completely different story that has just begun. And it is interesting and no less controversial, but it will definitely have a continuation.
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In fact, the company most likely decided to quickly enter the electric vehicle segment thanks to its loud name. No one will pass by a new Mustang, but they may not notice a simple electric crossover, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, even if it is mighty. Moreover, trying to follow all the trends, they also made it a crossover. A car with an electric drive, high seating position, and increased ground clearance. No, it’s not a sports car, so why is there a GT in the name, you might ask.
A bunch of controversy and unique sophistication — that’s what the Ford Mach-E is. In addition, if you delve into history and remember the meaning behind the creation of the Mustang and the Mach 1 version, many things fall into place. Yes, this name has already been in the history of the model, as well as GT. And it is not surprising that the Mach name was used here because it characterized the most powerful version of the model in 1969-1978, and also returned several times later.
So our Mach-E still carries some historical value of the brand and the model. Moreover, it has a lot of power. An electric car with a single electric motor produces 294 hp, which provides acceleration to 100 km/h in 7 seconds, and the most powerful version with a large battery and two electric motors on each axle offers 487 hp and 4.4 seconds of acceleration. And these are the main indicators for it, not the usual figures of the power reserve.
Although Ford hasn’t left the «savage» aside here either, offering two batteries of 75 kWh and 98 kWh, respectively, which provides a range of 400 to 610 km (WLTP) depending on power, weight, and drive. So it can easily compete for consumer love with the Tesla Model Y or BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC. And, of course, it has a fairly appropriate price tag, which makes the electric train competitive, as the price starts at UAH 1,989,926 ($47,364).
Besides, Ford knows how to make cars, and no one will argue with that. Especially since one look at the Mach-E reveals the care with which it was developed. A body with such soft, smooth streamlined shapes, a balanced balance with a center of gravity appropriate for electric vehicles, large wheels with aerodynamic rims, and active air intakes. The latter, although present, do not add much influence, but rather direct the airflow to improve cooling.
The Mustang Mach-E looks simple rather than extravagant or bold. It is only during a close acquaintance that you begin to admire the details gradually that reveal not only the character of this newcomer, but also its purpose. The electric car opens up from a new perspective when you begin to understand all the thoughtfulness, sophistication, and intelligence with which the manufacturer approached the creation of this historic performance.
There are almost no familiar features in the outline, but the lights behind it definitely give away the Mach-E’s affiliation with the Mustang stable. From a distance, it looks very similar, as well as the color scheme corresponds to the status. Interestingly, yellow is offered only for Premium versions and only with an enlarged battery. But you won’t find any black stripes or other reminders here in any of the configurations.
It appears that Ford tried very hard to get away from any associations with Tesla and give its electric car its characteristics. Even the handles were made completely different — in the form of an integrated hook that allows only fingers to catch on.
The doors are actually opened by a button that activates an internal piston that pushes the door open from the inside. A cool thing that captivates with its originality. Plus, there is a combination lock for access to the car, which is already a common thing in the United States, but for us, it is still a novelty. You can easily code the lock and transfer control to others without the hassle of keys, or unlock the car with your smartphone. The main thing is that the battery should not be dead.
Some familiar elements can also be found in the cabin, but from other brand representatives and only for those who are very familiar with all models of the blue oval. For example, these buttons on the steering wheel have clearly already been seen in the Focus, the gearshift paddle is familiar to Ford. fonts. But for the most part, it’s a refined, stylish, thoughtful, and comfortable interior that’s better than what Volkswagen offers in the ID4 or ID5, and definitely better than Tesla’s.
The Mustang Mach-E was clearly built with controllability, convenience, and ergonomics in mind because the architecture here is new, as is the platform that will form the basis of other electric models of the company in the future. So modernity is in every element, from the large 15.5-inch center touchscreen display to the spacious rear row, which can easily accommodate three adults. What other Mustang can boast that?
A small 10.2-inch dashboard with a minimum of information is in front of your eyes: speed, charge, energy consumption, assistants, and other necessary icons that tell you about lighting, recovery, and more.
Most of the Ford Mustang Mach-E’s functions can be customized on the center screen, including climate control. And although it is touchscreen, everything works well here, and you can leave it on automatic mode. However, the climate itself is dual-zone and hardly eats up any kilometers thanks to the heat pump, which is the default. The convenient large knob has several functions — it’s either volume or airflow control, and you can switch them in climate mode. It is clearly displayed almost all the time and you don’t need to look for it. But the maximum airflow control is hidden to the left of the steering wheel, which is strange.
The abundance of submenus shows that the wealth of the Ford Mustang Mach-E is clearly hidden and offers a wide range of choices for personalizing the car. Of course, there is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, phone screen duplication, and in the top GT version, even a Bang & Olufsen audio system with 10 speakers on the entire front panel.
And this large monitor does not interfere with the organization of the space, which is divided into zones, rather than leaving free space, as in Tesla. Several tiers allow you not to get confused in space. In one zone, there is a place for smartphones with wireless charging and a rubber lining to prevent the gadget from flying off into space during the next turn. Of course, under the upper tier of the console, there is additional space for small items. On the other tier, you can control the box so that you don’t even have to take your hand off the armrest — no need for those unnecessary movements.
In addition, the armrest is wide, comfortable, and movable, and there is additional space under it that can be open or covered with a curtain. A lot of space has been left in the door cards, and there is an additional 81-liter luggage compartment in front. Plus, it even has an open button in case someone locks themselves in it — American standards. It’s just hard to imagine what kind of person could fit into this trunk. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to use this button.
The rear luggage compartment has 402 liters and some space under the floor, as well as an interestingly organized curtain that covers the large glass of this crossover hatchback and opens together with the trunk door. It seems to be a rather modest figure compared to the 563 liters in the VW ID4, but it doesn’t claim to be sporty, and here it is too much. Moreover, by folding down the rear row of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, you can get 1420 liters of total volume, which is enough to accommodate transporting a grandmother’s chair during a move.
The rear passengers of the Ford Mustang Mach-E were given plenty of air and room to move. It is by no means cramped, and the head does not rest against the rear pillar, and the panoramic glass creates a bright and cozy area. There are connectors for charging gadgets and air outlets. The sofa itself is stationary, and the backrests have only one position. They are folded in the usual way, so it will not be possible to fold them out of the trunk. And there is no inverter, so there are only 12-volt outlets in the front and in the luggage compartment.
It appears that the Ford Mustang Mach-E was created for family travel. It is roomy, spacious, comfortable to sit in, a lot of luggage will fit, and you can even place a trunk on the roof. Interesting functions in the menu, you can even play and draw while waiting for charging. Just don’t forget that there are children in the cabin if you’re traveling far. Because you can get too carried away with the controls and dynamics and lull the passengers to sleep until they get seasick.
I was lucky enough to get the most powerful version of the Mach-E for a test drive. With all-wheel drive as electric motors on each of the axles and a 98 kWh battery, which in our case offers a maximum of 500 km of range. And this is at best when going downhill. Because the consumption of this monster with acceleration to hundreds in 4.4 seconds is about 34 kWh per 100 km. And it is impossible to drive carefully and economically here. The foot somehow drowns the accelerator and presses everyone into the seats with a frankly loud exhalation. Because only the deaf have not heard of the instantaneous dynamics of electric trains, and even then, they have probably already experienced it.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is like a released prisoner rushing into the distance without even trying to stop. So that’s why there is no regeneration control, no separate buttons for switching modes. Because you turn on the Untame mode on the monitor, and you would rather not turn it off until the battery reminds you of the devastation. And this happens rapidly in this mode. Although it is fun to drive in Active mode, you actually use either the high-speed or economical Whisper mode. Although it is rather just quiet because Untame even added a volume that rumbles somewhere under your feet, as if a V8 were roaring, though somewhere far away and through the years. Porsche handled the sounds more skillfully and naturally.
I’m not talking about driving this untamed horse because the point here is in the settings. Of course, there will be no clarity like in the usual Mustang, but the elasticity, response, and quick reaction are present in full.
The steering wheel is set up rather lazily with 3.7 turns from stop to stop, even by class standards, only the reaction is aimed at confidence, not frankness. So it’s not a frighteningly hollow experience, and the suspension works out just right for the sporty aura. It is stiff, as it should be. Cornering is predictable, holding the course and the absence of unnecessary rolls — this is the advantage of a low center of gravity.
Standard versions have passive shock absorbers and coil springs, but the top-of-the-line Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is equipped with Magneride semi-adaptive shock absorbers for better control. Therefore, the chassis copes well with potholes at low speeds, working out noticeably. Only at speed can it become a bit of an unpleasant experience, as can sharp maneuvers. If you are not alone in the cabin, it is better to restrain your desires because the trip will test the patience of passengers. It’s better to turn on a quieter mode and drive more slowly. This will save both energy and comfort.
In any case, the behavior of the Ford Mustang Mach-E is much better than the same Tesla Model Y with a rather loud suspension and mediocre noise. The Ford is much more comfortable and quieter, and if you look deeper, you can see the soundproofing of the arches and lower body.
The modernity of this Ford is even impressive with an excellent number of auxiliary systems and functions. Driving on the roads on its own is almost as good as a Volvo or Polestar and even comparable to a Tesla. Fully hands-free driving and reminders to keep your hands on the wheel are not as annoying and fast as they sometimes are. The car keeps its course well, recognizes lanes, sees other cars, and is even able to park on its own in a parallel parking lot thanks to radar and 360-degree cameras. These work quite clearly here until they get covered in mud. Even then, you can see something.
There are also plenty of settings in the system, where you can turn off or on some functions, customize how the car will open, and several other features. All the default heats are here, including the heated windshield. You can customize the profiles for different drivers, which is also convenient for a family.
The lights are all LED, just like in the cabin, and the only thing missing is the matrix light. There will be only adaptive high beam, and at least that’s enough to say thank you. In general, if you count the Mustang Mach-E, there are so many bonuses that you will not find so many in any Ford so far. This justifies such a separation from the blue oval in the direction of an unstoppable horse.
But it will be difficult to feed this horse. While the less powerful Mach-Es have a 115 kW charger, our 94 kW battery is equipped with a powerful 150 kW charger and allows you to replenish the range from 10% to 80% in just 45 minutes from the appropriate station. When charging from AC power with an output of 11 kW, you can fully charge the car from 0 to 100% in 9 hours and 45 minutes. If you recharge from a home outlet, it will take about a day and a half, according to my calculations. And the cables need to be ordered separately.
When I got to know the Ford Mustang Mach-E, I experienced almost all the facets of communication with an electric, powerful car. From enjoying the dynamics and handling to the agony of searching for charging stations because stabilization outages are difficult to predict in advance in all areas, as well as to adjust them to the work schedule. Sometimes I had to change locations five times in search of a working and free one, which created discomfort because the Mustang «does not like to save its free spirit. In fact, only 320 kilometers of power reserve was enough for such a dynamic drive, which is not as much as we would like.
Therefore, the conclusion was self-evident: for family use, it is worth choosing less powerful versions, but with an increased battery and buying it in a package with a private house and a nighttime electricity tariff. However, many of our electric car drivers have invented their own methods of survival during outages, so this is not a problem, especially with a realistic 500 km of range.
The overall impression with the Ford Mustang Mach-E is that you get a car that is balanced, nimble, and never loses its overweight or softness. The Mach-E gives you a pleasant feeling of being in the flow of traffic and has a smart handling precision — qualities that are truly in keeping with the Ford Mustang.
There is definitely enough clarity, precision, and interest here, as well as just the beginning of a new era for the Mustang, to make fans rush to buy this Ford. It’s like choosing a Jaguar I-Pace instead of an Audi Q8 E-tron, or a Mini Electric instead of a Peugeot e-208. Moreover, the price tag with a range from 1,989,926 to 2,948,738 hryvnias is basically the same level of equipment, quality, and even better than rivals like Tesla, Polestar 2, or BMW iX3.
And despite all the differences with its ancestor, this Mustang has its own charm and fascination. In a way, it’s an encouragingly good full-size electric car that clearly tries to bring a distinctive personality to the class. And now, after the start of official sales — it comes with a three-year warranty and eight years of battery life, service, and the assurance that it is not a car restored after an accident with unknown wandering bugs. And it definitely deserves special attention.
PROS: Dynamics, power, comfort, modernity, technology.
CONS: Suspension is too stiff, energy consumption, cost.
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4713/1881/1624 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2984 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm/loaded | 130/116 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 402/1420 |
| Curb weight, kg | 2273 |
| Battery capacity, kWh | 98 |
| Power, hp. | 487 |
| Max. torque, Nm | 830 |
| Power reserve, km | 500 |
| Type of drive | Full |
| Pendant | Indoor/outdoor. |
| Transmission | Single-stage automatic |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 4,4 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 200 |
| Energy consumption, kWh/100 km | 20 |
| Starting price, UAH | 1 989 926 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 2 948 738 |
| Competitors | VW iD4 |
| Tesla Model Y | |
| Polestar 2 | |
| Jaguar I-Pace | |
| BMW iX3 | |
| Hyundai Ionic 5 |