Name: Ford Mustang Mach-E
Brand: Ford

Driven and reviewed by

Mike Askew

27 Mar 2024

Ford is widely credited with killing off the electric car back in the first decade of the last century. Battery-powered vehicles were just as popular as those with internal combustion engines and there was a sort of Betamax-versus-VHS battle to see which would be the dominant way of propelling the horse replacement. Then Ford started making the Model T in 1908, brought petrol engines to the masses - and the rest is history.

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Introduction

Given that history, maybe it’s not a surprise that Ford has been slow off the mark producing its first proper electric car. But now, Ford is getting serious. So serious, in fact, that it is betting on its most precious horse – the Mustang brand. The company’s first ‘proper’ electric car wears the galloping pony badge of its most iconic car.

Unlike the Mustangs we all know, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is not a sleek, two-door coupe. To the horror of traditionalists, this is an SUV - although it’s pretty far removed from the boxy-shaped off-roaders that usually fall into that category. No, this car is an SUV in the same way that a BMW X4 or a Tesla Model Y can be described; swoopy and sleek, yet high-riding.

The fact it’s an SUV is unlikely to be the factor which upsets those Mustang fans the most though. They are more likely to be horrified that this car is fully electric rather than powered by a big, rumbling V8.

Even the most ardent petrolhead couldn’t complain about the power on offer, though. The electric Mustang has a variety of power options that range from quick to indecent. Even the standard Select or Premium versions range from 290bhp to 346bhp with either a single motor driving the rear wheels or dual motors and all-wheel drive, or there's a GT version with a stupefying 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds.

Battery choices are either 72- or 91kWh options, and at 4.7m long the Mach-E is almost identical length to the Model Y, Kia EV6 and Peugeot E-3008.

Ford needs to make it drive in a way which will live up to the Mustang reputation, of course, but has it succeeded? We drove what is expected to be the Premium AWD model which, as you'd expect, has an abundance of straight-line performance. Perhaps more surprising is that the Mach-E also corners in a more entertaining way than you'd expect of such a big car, and in many ways it really does feel like driving a Mustang as you look down that long bonnet. Because the batteries sit under the floor, the centre of gravity is lower so that the car feels stable and sporty, and really rather good fun.

Ride comfort may be an issue, though. From launch, the Mach-E was really quite firm and jarring, but in early 2022 there was some suspension fettling behind the scenes to improve ride comfort pliancy, and it did make a big difference. Now, the Mustang still has a firm ride but it's more controlled and not so crashy. Given the trade-off in handling panache, most wanting this sporty electric family car will be okay with the ride comfort.

Once you’ve reached your destination and need to recharge, the Mach-E can top-up at 150kW, which is fast enough for a 70 mile top up in under 10 minutes, or an 80% top-up in under 40 minutes.

The inside clearly has a nod to Tesla, with a dashboard dominated by a huge 15.5” iPad-like infotainment screen. It looks after a few too many functions for our liking, but it isn’t quite as all-or-nothing as the Model 3’s tech, and there is still a small, uncluttered readout in front of the driver to show the speed and a few vital bits of information.

There's decent amounts of space in the back, too, and a couple of adults will be comfy even on a long trip. Boot space is pretty decent (if still behind the ID.4 and Enyaq), but there’s also a 100 litre "frunk" under the bonnet, which is plastic lined and even has a drain – perfect for muddy boots and sports kit.

Verdict

Ford’s long awaited electric car is impressive. It drives in a way that will keep enthusiast's happy, it has the technology, range and charging capability to make potential Tesla buyers look twice, and is spacious enough for family life. But this probably isn’t the car that will swap Ford’s massive UK sales to electric. That will be pushed by two vehicles: the Electric Transit and the Explorer.

Even so, as a halo car for Ford electric range, the Mach-E has the style, substance and 'want one' factor to really put the big American brand on the map when it comes to electric vehicles.