Ford Mustang Mach-E Review 2024
Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Long Range models can travel up to 379 miles between charges
- Spacious interior with separate 'frunk' for charging cables
- Looks more distinctive than bland alternatives
Cons
- Slightly underwhelming to drive with harsh ride quality
- Interior isn't as posh as premium alternatives
- Mustang Mach-E GT is particularly expensive
Overall verdict on the Ford Mustang Mach-E
"The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a sporty electric SUV with a long range and enough space for all the family. With stand-out looks and pacey performance, it offers something different in the world of electric vehicles – read our full Ford Mustang Mach-E review to find out if it's the EV for you."
The Ford Mustang Mach-E zapped onto the scene late in 2019, sending shockwaves across the internet and not necessarily for all the right reasons. Enthusiasts were horrified... how dare Ford use the Mustang name on a high-riding electric car – the very antithesis of the original V8-powered pony car?
It was a punchy move, but there's logic to it. By using the Mustang branding, the Mach-E positions itself against premium electric cars like the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, Audi Q4 e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace. It's not your everyman Ford – it's a desirable SUV that's going to draw buyers into showrooms. And it's got a price tag to match.
The most affordable Ford Mustang Mach-E starts from around £47,000 while the rapid range-topping Mach-E GT is nudging £75,000. There are a number of variants sitting between these two bookends – including two different battery sizes (badged Standard Range and Long Range) and a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive models. There is also the Rally Pack as an option for the GT to give it even more presence and sporting appeal.
Of course, if you're looking to buy an electric car, you're likely to be asking "how far can a Ford Mustang Mach-E travel between charges?". Even the short (sorry, 'standard') range models can muster up to 292 miles, while the most efficient rear-wheel-drive Long Range variant has an official range of up to 372 miles. That makes it one of the longest-range electric cars on sale today.
Ford has attempted to make every Mustang Mach-E feel sporty to drive. It certainly feels tighter, more hunkered-down than a Skoda Enyaq iV. That does come at the expense of comfort, though, and there's only so much engineers can do to improve the agility of an overweight electric SUV. Others have done a better job of it, in our opinion – take a Kia EV6 for a test drive and you'll see what we mean.
Only the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT really has the performance to live up to the Mustang badge, though the Premium is only a whisker behind. The others are rapid enough, especially if you haven't driven an electric car before (almost universally, they'll whizz away from the line with impressive pace). But the Mach-E GT is a fully caffeinated sprinter of a heavyweight SUV, accelerating to motorway speeds almost as quick as a Performance-badged Tesla. Almost.
Still, at least the Ford Mustang Mach-E's chunky dimensions are good news for interior space. Your family will be much happier in this than in the two-door Mustang coupe, while there are no fewer than two separate boot compartments for carrying your luggage.
Jump into the cabin of a Ford Mustang Mach-E and your eyes will be drawn to the huge 15.5-inch portrait infotainment display in the centre of the dashboard. This is all a bit Elon Musk for our liking, but at least you get a separate digital instrument cluster with important information like how fast you're currently travelling. You can have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too – both missing from Tesla models – while the infotainment in general is much more user-friendly than a Volkswagen ID.4 or ID.5's offering.
The interior feels a step above the Volkswagen models in terms of quality, too, although it lacks the plushness of pricier alternatives like the Volvo C40 Recharge. At least it's comfortable, though, and all Ford Mustang Mach-E models are well-equipped – you get things like heated seats, a reversing camera and a long list of driver-assist technology as standard across the range, so you don't have to tread too carefully when searching for a used Mustang Mach-E.
It's fair to say the Ford Mustang Mach-E isn't the most polished electric car on sale today. But Ford could have played it safe and produced a yawn-fest of an EV like certain German alternatives we won't mention here. It has character, at least, while also managing to be surprisingly practical. Its range of up to 372 miles is impressive, too, even if it's a little disappointing that it's not quite as good to drive as you'd expect for a Mustang.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Ford Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Ford Mustang Mach-E cars for sale.
Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E right for you?
Do you want a practical electric car that's going to stand out for years to come – even when your neighbourhood is full of practical electric cars? If so, the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be a great choice for you. It combines a long electric range with a spacious cabin and head-turning looks, even if it's not quite as good to drive as you might expect.
What’s the best Ford Mustang Mach-E model/engine to choose?
In electric car terms, we often find that the cheapest is also the best. And that's true for the Ford Mustang Mach-E – the entry-level rear-wheel-drive Select model will be powerful enough for most, is well-equipped and can travel further between charges than many drivers will actually need. Sure, there's an appeal to the pricier models, but they start to stray into the territory of much more desirable electric cars, making them harder to justify.
What other cars are similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E?
With an ever-increasing amount of electric SUVs on the market, the Ford Mustang Mach-E squares up against some very impressive competition. You should definitely have the Korean electric family SUV trio on your electric car shortlist (that's the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60), while the Volkswagen ID.4 (and sportier Volkswagen ID.5) and Skoda Enyaq iV are two very versatile electric vehicles.
The Mustang Mach-E isn't a cheap option, either, which means it's also pitching against premium competitors like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Polestar 2 and BMW iX3 (to name a few). We'd also suggest a look at the Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Mercedes EQA.
Comfort and design: Ford Mustang Mach-E interior
"The Ford Mustang Mach-E's interior designers have been given pretty much free rein in the cabin. It feels very different from any other Ford, while it's hard to ignore that love-it-or-hate-it portrait infotainment screen that dominates the dash."
You'll struggle to find a single Ford badge inside the Mustang Mach-E, such is the brand's commitment to taking its electric SUV upmarket (and cashing in on the Mustang branding). You will find the odd part that's shared with other Ford cars, but unless you're a regular at the Hertz rent-a-car desk, you probably won't notice them. The interior stops short of being overtly posh, but you're not going to find hand-stitched leather or crystal buttons in a Volkswagen ID.4 or Tesla Model Y, either.
While Ford's gone for an unnecessarily large infotainment display, it has at least resisted the temptation to go completely minimalist throughout the cabin. You get a physical volume control and fixed touch-sensitive controls for adjusting the temperature. These are much more intuitive to use than the 'sliders' you get in the ID.4 and ID.5. There are also some steering wheel control buttons to help out with the stereo and hands-free phone functions.
Behind the steering wheel is a slim 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, which lacks the customisability of Audi's Virtual Cockpit but at least has clear graphics and gives you all the information you could possibly need.
There's plenty of room inside the Ford Mustang Mach-E, while the seats are both comfortable and supportive – although you don't sit as high up as you might expect in an SUV of this size. That adds to the Mach-E's sporty vibe, although you might want to look elsewhere if you want a raised driving position.
Quality and finish
The interior quality is pretty good for a Ford – but as we've struck on a few times, the brand is trying to position the Mustang Mach-E a little more upmarket than models like the Focus and Fiesta.
There are a few hard finishes here and there, and the Sensico faux-leather seats aren't as classy as you'd find in, say, a BMW iX3. Generally the cabin feels hard-wearing, though, and it's not going to disappoint if you're also visiting a Volkswagen or Tesla showroom.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Ford Mustang Mach-E
All Ford Mustang Mach-E models come with the same 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 15.5-inch touchscreen navigation display.
Let's not beat about the bush: the 15.5-inch display is mahoosive. It's bigger than it needs to be. Arguably, a screen this size has no place in a car. Presumably, Ford's interior designers have been spending too much time in Teslas and assume that's what electric car buyers want in an infotainment screen.
On the plus side, it's pretty easy to operate. The huge screen means you can display multiple functions at once, while it's easy to navigate and fast to respond. It'd be nice if it was angled towards the driver, but perhaps letting your passenger operate it while you drive isn't a bad thing.
You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, as well as a wireless phone charger. Look for a Mustang Mach-E with the Tech Pack for the 10-speaker B&O sound system – a very worthwhile upgrade if you like to crank up the beatz (or whatever it is the kids say these days). This pack also brings some other welcome features such as a panoramic sunroof and eight-way electric adjustment for the front seats.
Space and practicality: Ford Mustang Mach-E boot space
Electric cars that have been designed from day one as an EV are, generally, extremely practical. That's true for the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was never intended to have a big old engine and gearbox, and the relatively flat battery pack is housed underneath the floor. While its external dimensions are pretty big (it measures 1624mm in height, 1881mm in width and 4713mm in length), that translates to a considerable amount of interior space.
The front seats are mounted relatively low down which means that, while you don't get a commanding seating position, you do get loads of head and legroom. A wide centre console sits between the driver and front-seat passenger, and there are plenty of handy storage cubbies dotted around the cabin.
As the Mustang Mach-E is quite a long car, there's loads of rear legroom. Headroom in the back is pretty good, too, although the coupe roofline does mean it doesn't feel quite as spacious as inside a Skoda Enyaq iV. The completely flat floor will be appreciated by passengers in the middle rear seat.
As for the boot, there's 402-litres of luggage space back there. That's far from the biggest in its class (the Skoda Enyaq iV manages 585-litres) but it's a useful shape and a false floor reduces the lip (and gives you somewhere to store things away out of sight). You do get an extra 100-litres of storage space under the bonnet (or frunk), too – ideal for storing the car's charging cables.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Ford Mustang Mach-E like to drive?
"By giving it the Mustang name, Ford has perhaps set unrealistically high expectations around the way the Mach-E drives. It's a 2.2-tonne family SUV and feels it – but there's more fun to be had here than in the numb Volkswagen ID.4 or ID.5."
The steering is surprisingly lifeless for a Ford (even the little Ford Fiesta has satisfyingly communicative steering), but the rear-wheel-drive layout of the entry-level Mach-E means it changes direction relatively eagerly. An extra electric motor on the front axle means four-wheel-drive models are, er, four-wheel-drive – giving you a little extra reassurance if you stamp your foot on the throttle coming out of the bend in slippery conditions.
There are a variety of drive modes to select, namely 'whisper', 'active' and 'untamed'. Nonsensical names aside, these actually make a bigger difference to the way the Mustang Mach-E drives than similar drive modes in other electric cars. The whisper mode is supposed to be the most eco-conscious setting but, even with a slightly stodgy throttle response, it actually provides the most relaxing drive. Relaxing might not be a particularly desirable attribute in a Mustang, but it's a key selling point in many electric cars.
Ride quality is best described as 'pretty crashy'. Even with the 18-inch alloy wheels and squishy tyres fitted as standard to entry-level Ford Mustang Mach-E models, it'll thump over broken road surfaces and is nowhere near as compliant as the Skoda Enyaq iV. It feels pretty unsettled at higher speeds, too, while there's quite a lot of lean during cornering. A Kia EV6 is a much better all-rounder in terms of handling.
The flagship Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is actually quite different to drive compared to the rest of the range. It has a lower ride height as well as trick adaptive suspension, which means it generally feels much more planted than the regular car. No, it's still not as agile as a Jaguar I-Pace, but it feels a bit more like, well, a Mustang.
You can alter the GT's driving manners further with the Rally Pack that brings a 20mm raised ride height and rallycross-tuned MagneRide suspension. It also comes with 19-inch rally-style alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres to be more able in winter conditions.
What motors and batteries are available in the Ford Mustang Mach-E?
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is available with two battery sizes: 72kWh (badged Standard Range) or 91kWh (badged as the Extended Range). Both are available in single-motor rear-wheel-drive flavour, or as a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model with the larger battery in Premiums and GT trims.
Even the standard RWD Ford Mustang Mach-E isn't exactly lacking in the pony power department. With 268PS and 525Nm of instant torque available, it'll scamper away from the line quite eagerly if you're heavy with the accelerator pedal. Officially, it'll cover the 0-62mph sprint in around 6.7 seconds, which makes it pretty sprightly by heavy SUV standards. The Extended Range RWD models improves the performance with 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds.
The Extended Range AWD model packs some extra torque (675Nm in total) while the extra traction provided by the four-wheel-drive system helps it get a speedy getaway – as such, it can cover 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds.
If you're longing for the urgency of a V8 Mustang, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT provides that. With 487PS and a stonking 950Nm of torque, the Mach-E GT will sprint to 62mph in 4.1 seconds. There are faster electric cars out there, but that's still pretty rapid for an SUV of this size and weight.
Maximum electric range in the Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Standard Range can officially travel up to 292 miles (it used to be 273 miles) between charges in RWD form, while the AWD model covers up to 341 miles (formally 248 miles) according to WLTP tests. That's more than four hours of motorway driving before you'll need to stop for a break – and even the smaller-battery model will drive for more than three hours before a charge is needed. Sure, its actual range figure will drop slightly in winter (particularly if you make the most of the Mach-E's performance), but it should still be able to travel 180 miles or so before it needs a top-up.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, meanwhile, with the 91kWh battery pack can cover up to 320 miles between top-ups.
Refinement and noise levels
The Ford Mustang Mach-E might be priced in line with premium electric SUVs like the Audi Q4 e-tron, but it lacks the refinement of upmarket competitors. A lot of it comes down to the suspension, which clatters about as it tries to deal with the Mach-E's enormous kerbweight. There's quite a lot of wind noise, too, as well as a surprising amount of roar from the tyres.
Fiddle around with the Whisper, Active and Untamed drive modes and you'll find that each has quite a distinctive 'engine' note. It's at its quietest in the Whisper mode, while the Untamed mode uses an odd sci-fi-like rumble. Fortunately, you can turn it off entirely.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Ford Mustang Mach-E?
With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the safest family cars you can buy. When it was tested in 2021, independent crash-testing experts Euro NCAP awarded it a score of 92% for adult occupants and 86% for children.
That impressive result is partly down to the plethora of crash-preventing tech fitted as standard across the Mach-E range. This includes Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centring, Pre-Collision Assist with Auto Emergency Braking, and Lane-Keeping System with Blind Spot Assist.
Charging times: How much does it cost to charge the Ford Mustang Mach-E?
"We wouldn't recommend charging your Ford Mustang Mach-E using a standard three-pin socket. While it's possible to do so, an 80% charge of the Extended Range model will take 36 hours this way."
If you can, a 7kW home charging wallbox is well worth the investment. This'll charge the Ford Mustang Mach-E overnight – taking around 11 hours for a full charge of the Standard Range model and 14 hours for the Extended Range.
You could save cash by setting the Mustang Mach-E to charge during off-peak hours, allowing you to save money on your electricity bill. The total cost will depend on your home electricity tariff, but you're probably looking at around £16 to fully charge the Standard Range model at home and £20 to charge the Mach-E Long Range.
When you're travelling beyond the Mustang Mach-E's electric range, you can stop at a convenient public rapid charger for an ultra-quick top-up. Both battery versions of the Mach-E can be charged at a rate of up to 150kW (provided you can find this type of charger) and you can go from 10- to 80% charge in anything from 32 minutes with the Standard Range model to 36 minutes for the Extended Range. You'll pay for the privilege, though – the average cost of rapid charging is now around 74p/kWh, meaning a 20-80% charge on a Mustang Mach-E Long Range will cost around £42.
How reliable is a Ford Mustang Mach-E?
We've heard of very few issues affecting the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Generally, electric cars are surprisingly reliable – they have very few moving parts to go wrong, after all.
Ford tends to perform well in reliability surveys while the Mach-E is covered by the brand's standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty. That's not as impressive as the Kia EV6's seven-year warranty, but the battery at least is covered for eight years/100,000 miles.
Insurance groups and costs
With its relatively high performance and complex components, you could cause quite a lot of damage in a short amount of time in the Ford Mustang Mach-E. That means it could be fairly expensive to insure – particularly if you've only recently gained your driving licence or have a less-than-optimal driving history.
The cheapest Ford Mustang Mach-E to insure is the Standard Range RWD model which sits in insurance group 33E, while the priciest is the powerful Mustang Mach-E GT. That's in insurance group 47E – one of the highest bands.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Ford Mustang Mach-E?
As a pure electric vehicle, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is free to tax each year. That's quite a significant saving compared to similar petrol or diesel model – particularly as those with a list price of more than £40,000 are hit by an extra £490 in premium car tax for five years.
How much should you be paying for a Ford Mustang Mach-E?
"Used values have eased for the Ford Mustang Mach-E and you can pick up a nearly-new one for £2000 less than the list price."
The most affordable Mustang Mach-E models are rear-wheel drive variants with the smaller Standard Range battery pack. These start from around £43,000 new and you'll save a couple of htousand for a lightly used example.
A budget of £53,000 will get you a Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended Range, while AWD variants start from around £68,000 - that's quite a jump in price. The desirable Mustang Mach-E GT is priced from a hefty £74,500.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Standard equipment on entry-level Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Standard Range, now called Select, include 19-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear windscreen, privacy glass and LED reflector headlights/taillights.
Inside, the Select comes with black Sensico trim with grey stitching, a heated steering wheel and heated driver/passenger seats. You also get a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 15.5-inch central touchscreen navigation display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charger. Intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop and go/lane centering is also standard, as well as front/rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, one-pedal drive and selectable drive modes.
The Premium trim features the Extended Range battery, as well as 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. It also has black perforated Sensico trim with red stitching, a 360-degree camera, hands-free tailgate, and advanced active park assist.
The range-topping Ford Mustang Mach-E GT comes with 20-inch cast aluminium wheels, unique GT bumpers and wheel lip mouldings, 19-inch Brembo brakes with red calipers, GT performance seats, GT scuff plates and MagneRide suspension. It also has the B&O premium sound system included.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
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