Review: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

In the early days of the hybrid or electric vehicle (EV) revolution, there were buyers who purchased green vehicles that were not always, shall we say, 'mainstream looking'; but those buyers did so believing they were making a difference. Fortunately, today the market for green vehicles is more lucrative and profitable; so a buyer no longer has to give up style and comfort for conviction. When new green vehicle development is discussed, specifically electric vehicles, there are pretty much only two foundational schools of thought on how to deliver a new EV:

1. Convert an existing platform to new green power plant and market it as a new package to minimize development or advertising costs.


2. Start with a fresh idea and build from the ground up and market it as a brand new vehicle.

For me, both ideas are good. One concept allows people to ease their way into this new green world that is coming, while the other idea allows those people who are ready NOW to jump right in and enjoy the fruits of all the new technology that is available. You will find most automakers utilize both ideas, it just depends on the demographic for which they are building.

The all-new Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed utilizing the fresh idea concept and was built from the ground up but borrowing from the recognizable Mustang signature elements which was similar to what the Lincoln Navigator did when it utilized the revered Lincoln Continental style lines with its new refresh in 2017. The Mach-E has the long and powerful-looking hood with the aggressive Mustang headlights. You will also see the sloping lines in the rear hatch design and the trademark tri-bar taillamp the Mustang is known for. The Mustang Mach-E is built on the Global Electrified 1 (GE1) platform which is Ford's new all-electric architecture that places the batteries inside the underbody for better overall vehicle balance. This all-new vehicle platform allowed the engineers and designers to build a vehicle that's not only true to the Mustang muscle car heritage, but also maximizes SUV space for five passengers and cargo. Oh, and I can tell you first hand, it's fun to drive.

At the first-ever Detroit auto show, Henry Ford said he was working on something that would strike like forked lightning. That was the Model T. Today, the Ford Motor Company is proud to unveil a car that strikes like forked lightning all over again. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E. It's fast. It's fun. It's freedom. For a new generation of Mustang owners.

Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company

Powertrain

The Mach-E Mustang will be similar to its petro cousin with four separate models offered (Select, California Route 1, Premium, and GT) with the differences found in the amount of technology offered. The power plants offered are two battery pack sizes and three power outputs depending model and the needs of the buyer. There will be a 68 kWh battery pack producing 266 hp (198 kW) and an EPA range of around 230 miles or 88 kWh extended battery pack producing 290 hp (220 kW) and a 300 mile range. Both battery packs have a claimed 0 to 60 mph time of 6.1 seconds or less. That's more than fast enough to keep you from getting run over as you scoot down any metropolis or interstate on-ramp.

Costs / MPGs

An entry level RWD Mach-E will start at $42,895 which has 266 horsepower and will get you 230 miles of drive time, or you can jump to the top of the line and purchase the AWD (muscle car) GT which has 480hp and will cost $59,000. If I was to buy, I would probably buy the Premium at $47,600 that produces 290hp and 300 miles of range as a RW vehicle or if you decide to utilize the AWD with 346hp and 270 miles of range.

EV Purchase Tax Credit

All electric and plug-in hybrid cars purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The credit amount will vary based on the capacity of the battery used to power the vehicle, so the Mustang Mach-E qualifies for this credit.

How Long Can I ...

The average driver, per the US Department of Transportation statistics spends 55 minutes in their car driving 29 miles. If you only charged once a week (like you did with your gas vehicle because of convenience), you could drive almost 8 hours of commuting or basically 8 days at 55 minutes a day. Now, if you decide to purchase a home charger ($799) when you buy your Mach-E, you will eliminate the need to stop by a gas station except to buy that occasional bag of beef jerky or a hotdog. If you do decide to order and install the Ford Connected Charge Station when you purchase your Mustang Mach-E, the dealer will simply add it to your order and may finance it with your vehicle. It will require installation by a licensed electrician, but the dealer can likely direct you to one that has been certified by the Ford Motor Company.

Travel Concerns Eliminated

There are now enough charging stations in North America to take a vacation across the country. Ford alone has 16,000 stations in the FordPass Charging Network. It is the largest public charging network in North America with almost 40,000 plugs.

Press Loan Test Vehicle

The Mach-E pictured is my press loan for the week. It is the 2121 Mach-E Premium AWD with the 88 kWh extended battery pack that will produce 290 HP, 317 lb.-ft. torque, zero to 60 in 6.1 second,s and 300 miles of range as a rear wheel drive (RW) vehicle. If you decide to utilize the all-wheel-drive (AWD), it will produce 346 HP, 428 lb.-ft torque, zero to 60 in 4.8 seconds, and 270 miles of range. It was very nimble and quick around town and handled like a sports CUV should.

Muscular Mustang Curves

I have to be honest: When I first saw the Mach-E introduced at the Houston Auto Show a number of years ago, I did not see the body line comparison to the Mustang. But I attended a Mustang GT Shelby drive event at Texas Motor Speedway a few weeks ago, and the Mach-E was positioned next to one of the first 1960's Mustang GT's and a current GT model. I was then able to see the lines and muscular Mustang curves. To make sure you know it is a Mustang, it has the ionic tri-bar taillamps to really set in stone it has the Mustang heritage. One of the more interesting designs of the Mach-E is that it does not have conventional door handles. The doors features a button that pops open the doors and then you grab a small door handle that is attached to the inside of the door. It's actually a pretty neat little design. Because of this computerized design, owners can use their smartphones in place of a key or the traditional Ford keypad built into the B-pillar.

SUV-Size Proportions

One of the benefits of a brand-new, ground-up build is that the designers were able to work with buyers to understand how they prefer to have the interior of their vehicle designed. So couple that with the batteries housed inside the underbody, and the Mach-E has been designed with SUV-size proportions to seat five adults comfortably and still have 29.7 cubic feet of space for friends, kids, and cargo. Put the second row seats down, and you have 59.7 cubic feet of space to easily pack a weekend of camping fun. When I climbed into the vehicle, the first thing I noticed right away was how comfortable the driver's seat was. After a week of seat time, I decided I could easily do a long distance trip in this seat. The driver cluster was clean with a minimum amount of information which I found mentality freeing. One thing I found amusing was the note that my speedometer that told me what my Ground Speed was ... as opposed to what—air speed? The dashboard is wider than normal with a built-in soundbar which I would have to assume makes the vehicle a bit safer. Attached to the dash is a vertically mounted 15.5" touchscreen infotainment system (think iPad) with a rotary dial attached onto it. Almost all of the Mach-E's systems are controlled through the screen. I found it to be a very intuitive system and easy to learn and use.

Safety | Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0

The Mach-E comes standard with a comprehensive safety system, no matter what model you choose to enhance driver confidence. The suite of driver-assist features includes, but is not limited to:

• BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic alert
• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Post-Collision Braking
• Lane-Keeping System
• Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, Speed Sign Recognition

For me, the most powerful safety feature that the Mach-E offers is the pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking that will potentially lessen or prevent accidents. This radar technology scans the roadway ahead for vehicles or pedestrians and then provides a warning before automatically apply the brakes if you can't.

The Mustang Mach-E wholeheartedly rejects the notion that electric vehicles are only good at reducing gas consumption. People want a car that's thrilling to drive, that looks gorgeous, and that can easily adapt to their lifestyle— and the Mustang Mach-E delivers all of this in unmatched style.

Hau Thai-Tang, Chief Product Development and Purchasing Officer, Ford Motor Company

I can attest that the all-new Mach-E is definitely a head turner, especially in the sporty silver and black look. I was getting stopped at least once a day to talk about it. It is most definitely fun to drive too. So what's next? A few weeks ago, I was speaking with a press representative from a different automaker about not only their new EV that will be released to the public very soon but also EVs as an industry. As I am now driving EVs at least once a month, one thing he said to me that really stuck with me was, Owning an EV is not just about buying a vehicle, but about creating a new life experience. He went onto say, People realize this, and that is why they are slow to accept this change because we all know most people hate change.I would have to agree; but as I'm beginning to see this change, I believe it's up to automakers and automotive journalists to help facilitate that change as much as we can. So if you are searching for a good-looking vehicle that is fun to drive and will actually make your life easier, go drive a Mach-E. Oh don't forget to get your tax credit.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars—increasingly including electrified versions—and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products, and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.