Expert Review
Ford Mustang MACH-E SUV (2020 - ) Electric review
The Mach-E GT is the high-performance version of Ford’s stylish and characterful electric SUV and goes large with its all-American sense of fun
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 24 May 2022 | 0 min read
The Auto Trader expert verdict:
5
Available new from £50,830
We’ve already driven the regular Ford Mustang Mach-E and mighty impressive it is too. But this is the all guns blazing GT version, designed to put an electrified twist on the muscle car heritage of the classic petrol-fuelled Mustang from which it takes its name and inspiration. With nearly 500 horsepower to play with the electric motors may not make much noise but the extrovert character certainly does, while the Untamed Plus driving mode and more exciting handling put distance between this performance model and regular Mach-Es. At a cost.
Reasons to buy:
- Sense of fun
- Performance
- Bang for buck
Running costs for a Ford Mustang MACH-E
“Like any electric car the Mach-E GT can slash your running costs if you charge it at home”
If the standard Mach-E looks like great bang for buck this GT version is a more serious purchase, and priced against premium rivals like the Jaguar I-Pace, Polestar 2 and faster versions of the Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback, not to mention new arrivals like the Genesis GV60 and GT version of the already impressive Kia EV6. No discussion of fast EVs can ignore Tesla either, the Tesla Model Y delivering the usual combination of electrified performance and tech brand image. Whether you think the Ford badge can cut it at this level is something to ponder but, more broadly, like any electric car the Mach-E GT can slash your running costs if you charge it at home and – especially – if you can run it as a company car and offset the higher cost against the substantial Benefit In Kind savings.
Expert rating: 4/5
Reliability of a Ford Mustang MACH-E
“Given Ford’s reputation, you’d hope for fewer build-quality glitches than the far newer Tesla”
Just like the standard Mach-E we have high hopes here. Ford as a brand normally fares mid-table in reliability indexes and owner feedback, and, given Ford’s reputation, you’d hope for fewer build-quality glitches than the far newer Tesla. Ford’s infotainment system is usually pretty reliable too, unlike some of its glitch-prone competitors. There’s an eight-year battery warranty, which is more-or-less standard across the industry now.
Expert rating: 4/5
Safety for a Ford Mustang MACH-E
“Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance are also standard for the GT, as are 360-degree cameras”
There’s a huge amount of safety kit offered on the Mach-E, from the usual blind-spot warning system, to front and rear parking cameras. The standard ‘Pre-Collision Assist’ pack gives you collision mitigation, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support and evasive steer assist. Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance are also standard for the GT, as are 360-degree cameras to help with parking what is a pretty big car.
Expert rating: 5/5
How comfortable is the Ford Mustang MACH-E
“In keeping with the all-American image it feels somewhat larger than life and takes up a lot of space on the road and in parking spaces”
The GT is intended to stand apart from the rest of the Mach-E range, though the core of the vehicle is of course the same and it shares the spacious, SUV practicality of the standard one. In keeping with the all-American image it feels somewhat larger than life and takes up a lot of space on the road and in parking spaces, though the raised edges of the bonnet and classic ‘power bulge’ in its centre both look cool and help you judge your road position, taking some of the stress out of it. As the performance model the GT definitely has a macho vibe to go with the beefed up looks, the steering feeling pretty heavy at parking speeds while the bigger wheels add substance. Exclusive to the GT is what Ford brands ‘MagneRide’ suspension, which adjusts automatically according to which mode you choose from the central touch-screen but still feels pretty tough in every setting. Suffice to say, the GT wears its performance heart on its sleeve so if you want a comfy electric family SUV you’re better off looking elsewhere. The flipside being it has character and a sense of cool the kids will probably love, especially in those bright new colours.
Expert rating: 3/5
Features of the Ford Mustang MACH-E
“GT spec also introduces exclusive and suitably lairy new colours, including Grabber Blue and Cyber Orange”
Tesla’s influence is clear on the Mach-E’s interior, the giant, vertically oriented touch-screen powered by the next-generation of Ford’s in-house Sync infotainment. It’s bright, clear and easy to use with crisp graphics, while – unlike Tesla – you still get a big, physical volume dial. Which we like. Chances are you’ll be connecting your phone wirelessly and using your apps a lot of the time, so the charging pad means your handset will never run out of juice and spares the faff of plugging a cable in, in keeping with the Mach-E’s new tech vibe. Unique features setting the GT apart from other Mach-E variants include wider 20-inch wheels with colour-coded arch extensions to contain them, Ford Performance sports seats and a standard B&O sound system, leaving the panoramic roof as the only real option. GT spec also introduces exclusive and suitably lairy new colours, including Grabber Blue and Cyber Orange. In for a penny, and if you’re going the whole hog with the fastest Mach-E you can buy you may as well make sure people know about it, in keeping with Ford’s ‘Watch me!’ ethos for the car.
Expert rating: 5/5
Power for a Ford Mustang MACH-E
“It’s also tuned to send more of it to the rear wheels to mimic the handling balance of classic Mustangs, gaining an additional Untamed Plus mode unique to the GT”