2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD, $84,540 as tested
I have $100 that says would be thrilled to spend time behind the wheel of Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. The power and the agility of this EV (electric vehicle) are delightful: 0-100 km/h in just over five seconds.
Comfort and convenience factors are also first-rate. And the crafty design casts an eye backwards to Ford’s second-most iconic car — the Mustang — and forward to Ford’s hope for an electrified future not built on gas guzzlers.
A mix of heritage an hi=tech.
The Mach-E is an emotional response to the practical and scary-real problem of climate change, one delivered by an old-school Detroit car company trying to avoid what the brilliant Clayton Christensen described in The Inventor’s Dilemma. Ford will collapse under the weight of quick and nimble innovators like Tesla and BYD if the company’s leadership does not change its business practices and the product mix.
The simple question is: how does Ford Motor cast off its Model T roots and survive and thrive in an electrified automotive world? More Mach-E is the answer.
Ford is trying, unprofitably so far, to make the leap from F-150s and Explorers, to the likes of the Mach-E. Christensen argues that most companies fail to do what Ford is struggling with as it tries to tackle waves of innovation from the likes of BYD and Tesla.
For the decades now, Ford has been built on petrol-powered SUVs and pickups. All that is so yesterday.
The Mach-E suggests that Ford is not destined for the scrapyard. I’ve tested several versions, including this Premium AWD (all-wheel drive) model with the $13,000-extra 91 kWh extended range battery. Yes, I had a ball roaring about in this EV.
Folks who actually spend their own money for a Mach-E agree. This hatchback/crossover ranked 3rd overall among all mass-market EVs in a recent J.D. Power & Associates owner satisfaction study — 3rd behind the Mini Cooper Electric and Kia’s EV6.
The Mini is too small to be a direct rival. But if you are shopping, you absolutely must also test the EV6, which may be my favorite in the under$70,000 (base price) EV crowd. The Tesla Model Y, the top seller in its class, should also be on your list, as are rivals like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Excellent infotainment system.
E-Mustang owners agree with me about the car’s phenomenal dynamics. This Ford feels absolutely planted, yet wonderfully nimble and very quiet. Regenerative braking is smooth, not grabby, and allows for comfortable one-pedal driving – something that is ideal in stop-and-go traffic.
Ford’s first serious mass-market EV is a hatchback/crossover with useful cargo space, a comfortable cabin, better than average seats, and a big 15.5-inch infotainment screen, one surely inspired by Tesla’s approach. The big touchscreen is easy to use, and a handy shortcut bar takes you back to the last function used. Wireless standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a plus, as is the wireless charging pad. You’ll find all sorts of other charging ports, too. The digital cluster for the driver delivers the basic stuff drivers need.
Storage? The Model Y has more in the rear. There is also a frunk up front that can be used as a cooler, then drained later. In the passenger spaces, you’ll various places to stow your gear. The cabin overall feels quite spacious. The seats are well designed and I found them very good on long drives.
Range? Energuide reports that 10 hours plugged into a Level 2 charger will get you 467 km of range, though Ford claims more under certain conditions. On top of that, Ford offers a piece of software called Intelligent Range that provides an accurate estimate of how much juice is left before you need a charge.
Regardless, range is competitive with the Kia and others like Nissan’s Ariya, and Toyota’s BZ4X to name three, though there are more rivals out there.
Alas, the Mach-E, and many other EVs, fall short in two areas most of all: reliability and up-front cost.
Start with the latter. My tester, a tricked-out Premium trim model came to me with a sticker price of $84,540. That whopping figure included $15,200 in options and $2,095 in delivery fees. Key features: AWD (all-wheel drive), Active Grille Shutters (to maximize aerodynamics), Ford’s own semi-autonomous Co-Pilot 360 Technology and more.
85 Large, plus tax!
But nearly $85,000 plus tax? Really? Yikes!
I, personally, would be inclined to stick with the base version at $67,245n. Would you pony up for the $13,000 91 kWh battery?
So, is the E-Mustang a good value? Some might not think so, not at 84 Large. A penny-pincher like me cringes.
I am not alone. Consumers as a group are grumpy about the cost of EVs. s Consumer Reports and so many others have found, owners object to the value proposition of EVs – even though your annual energy cost at about $700 is a third of what you’d pay in running costs for a similar gasoline crossover.
In CR’s ratings, this Stang rates a solid F on value, compared to a stunning A on performance. This says to me that if you like your driving and want something that is super-cool, the E-Stang is brilliant. If you are penny-pinching Birkenstock type, probably, not so much.
As for reliability CR, J.D. Power and others have found that EVs can be a real nuisance to live with. Apparently, all the technical bits are either finicky to operate or just plain problem-plagued. All manner of research has found that EVs are 70% less reliable than comparable internal combustion engine cars.
The reliability piece is certainly something that should give any EV shopper pause. That said, of the crop out there right now, the Mach-E is a class-leader.
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD, $84,540 as tested
I have $100 that says would be thrilled to spend time behind the wheel of Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. The power and the agility of this EV (electric vehicle) are delightful: 0-100 km/h in just over five seconds.
Comfort and convenience factors are also first-rate. And the crafty design casts an eye backwards to Ford’s second-most iconic car — the Mustang — and forward to Ford’s hope for an electrified future not built on gas guzzlers.
A mix of heritage an hi=tech.
The Mach-E is an emotional response to the practical and scary-real problem of climate change, one delivered by an old-school Detroit car company trying to avoid what the brilliant Clayton Christensen described in The Inventor’s Dilemma. Ford will collapse under the weight of quick and nimble innovators like Tesla and BYD if the company’s leadership does not change its business practices and the product mix.
The simple question is: how does Ford Motor cast off its Model T roots and survive and thrive in an electrified automotive world? More Mach-E is the answer.
Ford is trying, unprofitably so far, to make the leap from F-150s and Explorers, to the likes of the Mach-E. Christensen argues that most companies fail to do what Ford is struggling with as it tries to tackle waves of innovation from the likes of BYD and Tesla.
For the decades now, Ford has been built on petrol-powered SUVs and pickups. All that is so yesterday.
The Mach-E suggests that Ford is not destined for the scrapyard. I’ve tested several versions, including this Premium AWD (all-wheel drive) model with the $13,000-extra 91 kWh extended range battery. Yes, I had a ball roaring about in this EV.
Folks who actually spend their own money for a Mach-E agree. This hatchback/crossover ranked 3rd overall among all mass-market EVs in a recent J.D. Power & Associates owner satisfaction study — 3rd behind the Mini Cooper Electric and Kia’s EV6.
The Mini is too small to be a direct rival. But if you are shopping, you absolutely must also test the EV6, which may be my favorite in the under$70,000 (base price) EV crowd. The Tesla Model Y, the top seller in its class, should also be on your list, as are rivals like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Excellent infotainment system.
E-Mustang owners agree with me about the car’s phenomenal dynamics. This Ford feels absolutely planted, yet wonderfully nimble and very quiet. Regenerative braking is smooth, not grabby, and allows for comfortable one-pedal driving – something that is ideal in stop-and-go traffic.
Ford’s first serious mass-market EV is a hatchback/crossover with useful cargo space, a comfortable cabin, better than average seats, and a big 15.5-inch infotainment screen, one surely inspired by Tesla’s approach. The big touchscreen is easy to use, and a handy shortcut bar takes you back to the last function used. Wireless standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a plus, as is the wireless charging pad. You’ll find all sorts of other charging ports, too. The digital cluster for the driver delivers the basic stuff drivers need.
Storage? The Model Y has more in the rear. There is also a frunk up front that can be used as a cooler, then drained later. In the passenger spaces, you’ll various places to stow your gear. The cabin overall feels quite spacious. The seats are well designed and I found them very good on long drives.
Range? Energuide reports that 10 hours plugged into a Level 2 charger will get you 467 km of range, though Ford claims more under certain conditions. On top of that, Ford offers a piece of software called Intelligent Range that provides an accurate estimate of how much juice is left before you need a charge.
Regardless, range is competitive with the Kia and others like Nissan’s Ariya, and Toyota’s BZ4X to name three, though there are more rivals out there.
Alas, the Mach-E, and many other EVs, fall short in two areas most of all: reliability and up-front cost.
Start with the latter. My tester, a tricked-out Premium trim model came to me with a sticker price of $84,540. That whopping figure included $15,200 in options and $2,095 in delivery fees. Key features: AWD (all-wheel drive), Active Grille Shutters (to maximize aerodynamics), Ford’s own semi-autonomous Co-Pilot 360 Technology and more.
85 Large, plus tax!
But nearly $85,000 plus tax? Really? Yikes!
I, personally, would be inclined to stick with the base version at $67,245n. Would you pony up for the $13,000 91 kWh battery?
So, is the E-Mustang a good value? Some might not think so, not at 84 Large. A penny-pincher like me cringes.
I am not alone. Consumers as a group are grumpy about the cost of EVs. s Consumer Reports and so many others have found, owners object to the value proposition of EVs – even though your annual energy cost at about $700 is a third of what you’d pay in running costs for a similar gasoline crossover.
In CR’s ratings, this Stang rates a solid F on value, compared to a stunning A on performance. This says to me that if you like your driving and want something that is super-cool, the E-Stang is brilliant. If you are penny-pinching Birkenstock type, probably, not so much.
As for reliability CR, J.D. Power and others have found that EVs can be a real nuisance to live with. Apparently, all the technical bits are either finicky to operate or just plain problem-plagued. All manner of research has found that EVs are 70% less reliable than comparable internal combustion engine cars.
The reliability piece is certainly something that should give any EV shopper pause. That said, of the crop out there right now, the Mach-E is a class-leader.
About the Author / Jeremy Cato
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