If Ford fans were a little underwhelmed when Ford Australia announced its first electric vehicle would be the E-Transit commercial van, I bring good news from Detroit.
The Blue Oval just gave CarsGuide the chance to drive the much-hyped Mustang Mach-E, the all-electric, high-performance SUV that was first revealed in the US back in 2020. While there’s no official confirmation from Ford Australia, there’s an expectation the Mach-E will find its way to local dealerships sometime before the end of 2025.
The biggest problem Ford has is the popularity of the Mach-E. It’s in hot demand in every market it’s already on-sale in, so getting enough supply for Australia appears to be the biggest factor in its delayed arrival down under.
But they're the boardroom machinations Ford has to arrange internally. What you want to know is what sort of car the Mach-E is and how it drives. In this review I’ll try to give you all the details following our drive near Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?
In the US there’s an extensive range for the Mach-E, beginning at $US46,895 (approx. $69,700) for the RWD Standard Range stretching all the way up to the GT Extended Range for $69,895 (approx. $103,900).
It’s obviously much too early to speculate on how much the Mach-E will cost when it does arrive here. But, to give you some idea what to expect, in broad terms it’s likely this will be priced and positioned as a premium model, so those direct conversion prices are likely to be a guide.
Depending on what models Ford Australia can get access to - hopefully the GT - we’ll probably be looking at prices starting in high five-digits or low-six digits.
In the US there’s an extensive range for the Mach-E, beginning at $US46,895.
In the US the GT comes generously equipped, befitting its place at the top of the line-up. In addition to the under-bonnet features we’ll talk about later, there are 20-inch machine-face alloy wheels, unique GT badges, red brake callipers, a power tailgate, ‘Pony Projection’ lamps and a panoramic glass roof.
Inside, there’s a digital display for the instrument panel, a 15.5-inch multimedia touchscreen, multi-colour ambient lighting, front sill plates with 'Pony' graphic and GT lettering, aluminium instrument panel trim, 'Sport Style' seats and Ford’s latest 'SYNC 4A' media set-up.
Is there anything interesting about its design?
While purists will debate whether it’s a ‘true’ Mustang or not, there are some obvious styling elements that connect it with the coupe that has defined the nameplate since the 1960s.
The Mach-E features a similar long bonnet, pumped out rear end and ‘tri-bar’ tail-lights that are all trademarks of the Mustang coupe. There’s also a family resemblance around the grille (even though it’s not a grille in the traditional sense) and the headlight design, to further connect the pair visually.
Purists will debate whether the Mach-E is a ‘true’ Mustang or not.
Of course, there’s also plenty of unique elements that come with Mach-E being both an electric car and an SUV. Most notably the extra pair of doors at the rear, which help broaden the appeal of the Mustang brand to more than just sports coupe buyers.
Aside from the extra doors themselves, another unique feature for the Mach-E is the door handles - or rather, the lack of door handles. For a more streamlined, aerodynamic design Ford ditched traditional door handles and instead have small buttons for front and rear access. The front doors include a small handle - which actually looks like a mini wing - to help make pulling them open easier.
How practical is the space inside?
While the exterior has drawn inspiration from Mustangs of the past, inside it’s actually helped shape the new, seventh-generation of the coupe. That’s because Ford experimented with a more digital-focused cabin for the Mach-E and it has resonated with young buyers, inspiring Ford to transfer lessons from the SUV to the new Mustang sports car.
That’s not to say the new Mustang is a copy of the Mach-E, because there are clearly unique design treatments for both. The Mach-E takes a more minimalist approach, with only two digital screens across the cabin with the rest of the dashboard free from clutter.
There’s a small digital instrument screen behind the steering wheel that has some nice touches, such as the ‘Ground Speed’ script under the digital speed read out, which is a nod to the Mustang’s fighter plane heritage, while otherwise being modern and functional.
The Mach-E takes a more minimalist approach, with only two digital screens across the cabin.
Inside, the seats are set low enough that even my 180cm frame could comfortably sit behind my own seating position.
In the centre of the dash is a huge 15.5-inch touchscreen running Ford’s latest SYNC 4A multimedia system. This screen controls all the key functions of the car, including the air-conditioning, navigation, stereo, and more.
Underneath this screen is a console running between the front seats which offers up good small item storage space and a pair of cupholders.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the car we drove was finished with a material Ford calls ‘ActiveX seating material with Miko inserts’ (but is best described as faux-leather and suede) with a copper contrasting stitch - so they look stylish, too.
The traditional boot measures a generous 822 litres with all seats in use.
The frunk adds an extra 139 litres to the boot space.
As nice as the front is, it’s the back seats in the Mach-E that spring a surprise. From the outside the sloping roofline provides a sporty silhouette to keep the Mustang connection but sets up expectations for a cramped rear. Instead, the seats are set low enough that even my 180cm frame could comfortably sit behind my own seating position, with respectable headroom above me. The rear is relatively narrow, though, so five adults in a Mach-E would be a squeeze but you could get three kids in the back happily enough.
As for luggage storage, that’s not limited to just the boot because Ford has taken advantage of the motors being positioned closer to the floor to create some extra storage space under the bonnet - or ‘frunk’ (front trunk) as Ford calls it.
The traditional boot measures a generous 822 litres with all seats in use, with the frunk adding an extra 139 litres.
What are the key stats for the motor and transmission?
We tested the GT model which sits just one rung below the range-topping GT Performance. Even so, it still packs quite the punch from its dual electric motors, making 358kW of power and 813Nm of torque. That’s good enough for the Mach-E GT to run 0-60mph (96km/h) in just 3.8 seconds.
Not the quickest electric car on the market but plenty fast enough to carry the Mustang nameplate. Plus, that means it’s actually quicker than the out-going V8-powered Mustang GT coupe.
How much energy does it consume?
While the lower grades are fitted with a 70kWh battery good for between 360-397km of range, the GT model gets a bigger 91kWh battery which extends range to 489km, according to Ford. While not class-leading, this puts it on par with its rivals, especially when you factor in its performance.
Ford doesn’t provide an official energy consumption figure, but according to the US EPA standard, the Mach-E GT uses approximately 24.8kWh/100km.
The GT model gets a bigger 91kWh battery, which extends the range to 489km.
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?
All Mach-E grades get the same level of standard passive safety equipment in the US, including airbag coverage for both rows and the usual required safety items - stability control, anti-lock brakes, etc.
The Mach-E GT comes particularly well-equipped though when it comes to passive safety features and driver assistance systems. The list includes Ford’s 'BlueCruise' (mild autonomous driving) and 'Co-Pilot360' (which includes autonomous emergency braking, rear brake assist, reversing sensors, post-collision braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and auto high beams).
What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?
Obviously we’ll have to wait for confirmation it’s officially coming to local Ford showrooms, but we can probably make some assumptions based on the Mach-E's overseas warranty.
In the US Ford covers the Mach-E with its standard three-year/36,000 miles (approx. 60,000km) warranty but extends the coverage to ‘Electric Unique Components' (i.e. the battery) to eight-years/100,000 miles (approx. 160,000km).
The Mach-E probably won’t arrive until 2025, so consumer expectations may have shifted by then.
Given Ford Australia has a range-wide five-year/unlimited km warranty for all of its local models, it’s likely that would extend to the Mach-E, too, with the battery covered separately; as is becoming the industry norm. Although, it’s worth noting the Mach-E probably won’t arrive until 2025, so consumer expectations may have shifted by then.
Ford in the US also connects its EV owners to multi-year complimentary access to its 'Blue Oval Charge Network' which links a range of providers including Shell Recharge, Electrify America and several others. So a similar alignment could ultimately be offered here.
What's it like to drive?
The obvious question when it comes to how the Mach-E drives is ‘how does it compare to the Mustang coupe?’ Now, the important thing to remember is the Mustang has never been the benchmark for ride and handling, its focus for generations was on straight line performance and its handling was never a true match for European or Japanese sports cars.
In that context the Mach-E performs admirably, with its all-wheel drive electric drivetrain providing the kind of immediate thrust electric cars have become famous for. It feels every inch a ‘real’ Mustang when you put your foot down, with one exception - there’s no V8 growl.
The lack of noise is a huge missing element, because Mustang and V8 engines have gone hand-in-hand since the beginning. Fortunately, for those who like the aural element of driving, Ford does have an artificial sound you can turn on.
The Mustang has never been the benchmark for ride and handling.
There are actually two to choose from across three driving modes - 'Whisper', 'Engage' and 'Unbridled'. As the name implies, Whisper runs as quietly as possible, but Engage brings a unique driving noise and Unbridled ‘enhances’ the soundtrack for a more sporty driving experience.
In addition to the sound, these modes also alter other elements including throttle response, ambient lighting and the 'MagnaRide' adaptive suspension.
This is the other key element to the Mach-E driving experience and it’s where the challenges of designing a sporty electric SUV emerge. In simple terms the ride is very firm and lacks compliance at times.
The Mach-E's all-wheel drive electric drivetrain provides the kind of immediate thrust electric cars have become famous for.
That’s because the ride is compromised by having to accommodate the weight of the batteries. As the lead engineer explained, the first priority was to simply deal with the extra mass of the battery pack, only then could they tune it for ride and handling. This means comfort has been sacrificed for control and it will bounce and crash over bumps.
Surprisingly there’s an even firmer suspension set-up for the European market and its typically smoother roads, but if Ford Australia gets a choice I’d be advocating for the softer, more compliant tune to deal with our patchwork roads.
Other than the ride, the Mach-E performs admirably, with direct steering and good stopping power. Like most electric cars you can adjust the regenerative braking and drive on ‘one-pedal’ if you prefer, or dial it back and have it feel more like an internal combustion car by coasting when off the accelerator pedal.
If Ford is having any trouble making the decision on whether or not to bring the Mustang Mach-E to Australia it need not. Australians love SUVs, we love performance cars and we’re increasingly loving electric cars - so, the Mach-E has all three bases covered.
Fortunately, though, it appears to be more of a case of when not if the Mach-E will make it down under, with Ford simply unable to build enough to keep up with demand in the rest of the world.
A local ride and handling program would be a great move, although it’s unlikely, but the Mach-E still has loads of appeal on its punchy performance and stylish appearance.
Ford Australia may be making a low-key entrance into the electric vehicle market with the E-Transit - but when the Mach-E arrives it will bring the ‘wow factor’ the brand desperately needs.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
