ROAD TEST: 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E review

What is it?

A Mustang, but not as we’ve known it. The Mach-E carries the Mustang name and badge but instead of being a V8-powered muscle car, it’s an all-electric SUV.

While this will undoubtedly upset some purists, there are some clear connections between this new twist on the pony car and the original – and a very big advantage for purists that Ford has opted to go down this path of two very different takes on the Mustang.

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In terms of style the Mach-E bears a clear family resemblance to the Mustang, despite being a five-door SUV. There’s the long bonnet, Mustang-shaped ‘grille’ with prominent pony badge, pumped out rear guards and the Mustang’s signature ‘tri-bar’ taillights.

More important than just style though, is because Ford has opted to expand the ‘Mustang family’ it means it could drop its rumoured plans of creating a hybrid or even all-electric version of the coupe. Instead, it remains a pure, petrol-powered muscle car – which should keep die-hand Mustang fans happy.

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Ford Australia hasn’t officially confirmed if the Mach-E will make it down under, but all indications behind-the-scenes suggest it’s a matter of simply tying up the final details before it eventually makes its way here by 2025.

Does it have any racing pedigree?

While the Mustang coupe is loaded with racing heritage, the Mach-E is a very different proposition. However, to showcase its potential and learn about how far it can push electric motors and batteries, Ford Performance teamed up with drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr and his RTR Vehicles team to build the Mustang Mach-E 1400.

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400

It’s track-only version of the Mach-E that features seven motors and what Ford calls an ‘ultra-high-performance battery’ that has been used for demonstration runs and learning about extracting maximum power from electric motors.

The name refers to the fact it makes 1400hp, which converts to a whopping 1044kW!

What’s under the bonnet?

Pop the bonnet and you’ll actually find what Ford calls a ‘frunk’ or front trunk, because the Mach-E is a bespoke electric vehicle design it has allowed the designers to maximise the space by fitting the electric motors lower in the chassis.

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There are a pair of them, one on each axle, which means the Mach-E GT we drove makes 358kW of power and 813Nm of torque and sends all the performance to all four wheels. Now while it’s an SUV, because it’s electric and offers near-instant torque, this powertrain is enough for the GT to launch from 0-60mph (96km/h) in just 3.8 seconds. For comparison, the out-going sixth-generation Mustang GT with its 5.0-litre V8 and 10-speed automatic ran 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds – so the Mach-E is just as quick as the Mustang needs to be.

Obviously electric motors lack the noise a petrol engine produces, but Ford has countered this by creating three distinct driving modes, two of which have soundtracks programmed in. The three modes are Whisper, Engage and Unbridled.

Unbridled is the most sporty and loudest sound, but it’s not a fake V8 sound, instead it’s a unique electric hum with a deep rumble that helps you get a sense of speed and drama.
Engage has its own unique noise that’s slightly less deep throated, while Whisper keeps it as quiet as possible if you just want a relaxed drive.

The motors draw their power from a 91kWh lithium-ion battery which provides a driving range of approximately 434km, according to Ford, which is competitive against its would-be rivals.

How does it handle?

The driving modes don’t just change the noise, they also affect the ride and handling by adjusting the MagneRide suspension, steering and throttle response.

But regardless of what setting you’re in, the ride is firm. That’s because to manage all the extra weight from the batteries the Ford engineers have had to make some compromises to the handling. It means the Mach-E tends to hit bumps more sharply than you’d prefer and it does feel uncompromising at times.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s unpleasant to drive – far from it. It means it’s a taut and responsive performance car, with direct steering and a responsive chassis.

While you can drive it on ‘one-pedal’ and take advantage of the regenerative braking, you can also alter the settings so it behaves more like a conventional car and drive it using both pedals.

Where would you most like to drive it?

In Australia. The Mach-E is seemingly an ideal car for the local market, as we love performance cars, can’t get enough SUVs and are increasingly buying electric vehicles.

For Ford in particular it would be a really exciting addition to the line-up and expand its appeal beyond the current Ranger, Everest and Mustang trio.

What’s the interior like?

Not at all like a Mustang. Ford’s designers may have connected the petrol-powered coupe and this new electric SUV on the outside, but inside the Mach-E is completely contemporary and original.

Instead of the trademark ‘double bubble’ dashboard and traditional rotary dials (or even the same digital screen that was used in the out-going Mustang), the Mach-E cabin is a simple affair with the majority of the controls all run through two digital screens.

Behind the steering wheel is a small screen that displays the key driving information, and in a subtle nod to the Mustang heritage has ‘Ground Speed’ written underneath where the speed is displayed.

The centre of the dash is dominated by a large 15.5-inch touchscreen that uses Ford’s latest SYNC4A infotainment system that looks and feels more modern than the system it replaces.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, but it’s in the back where the Mach-E really impresses. Obviously there’s more space than the Mustang coupe and convertible, given there’s four doors, but from the outside the sloping roofline that gives the Mach-E its sport look would typically compromise rear space. Instead the rear seats are mounted low enough to allow two adults to sit comfortably in the back, making this the first genuine four-seat Mustang.

It’s also more practical in the boot too, which has 822-litres of capacity, plus you get an extra 139-litres of space with the frunk.

How much does the Ford Mustang Mach-E cost?

The Mach-E range begins at $US46,895 (approx. $69,700) for the RWD Standard Range and tops out at $69,895 (approx. $103,900) for the GT Extended Range model.

It’s too early to know what to expect in terms of a local price, but given Ford builds it in right-hand drive from the factory it should command the type of premium we see from the locally-converted US pickups.

Still, given its technology and performance heritage it wouldn’t surprise if it carried a six-figure price.

Would I buy one?

Definitely. It would make a great addition to Ford’s local range and give the brand a compelling rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6 and incoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

It would also add another dimension to Ford Australia’s line-up, while it would never sell in the same volume as the Ranger, it has the potential to be one of the brand’s better performers given its appeal as a performance, electric SUV.

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT price and specifications