Reviewed byDan FrioDan Frio
Overview
The debut of the Mustang Mach-E brought much hand-wringing. How could Ford cheapen such a hallowed model name with this coupe-looking, high-riding hatchback? Purists were indignant, and EV fans puzzled by the throwback choice for such a futuristic car.
Two years later, the 2023 Mustang Mach-E stands on its own as one of Ford's most distinctive cars. Sure, it has some styling cues from the "real" Mustang, namely the three-bar taillights, the vaguely 1970s Mach 1 fastback rear silhouette, and the galloping pony logo used inside and out.
But the Mach-E points the way ahead for the Mustang name with its punchy electric powertrain and slick tech interface. It's also an American automaker's first legitimate challenge to Tesla's EV dominance, with more utility and battery capacity than a short-range commuter car. The Mach-E can travel more than 300 miles on a charge and offers SUV-like cargo capacity. And like its namesake, the Mach-E is available in performance grades ranging from sensible — the 266-horsepower base model — to an astonishing 634 pound-feet of torque in the GT Performance Edition. That's more low-end shove than the latest Shelby GT500.
That allows most Mach-E trims to run from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds or as quickly as 3.5 seconds. The Mach-E is also well-balanced and agile, although its firm suspension can make for a choppy ride. You can get an adaptive suspension, but only on the most expensive trim.
The EV crossover segment overflows with new entries, including the Subaru Solterra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Toyota bZ4X, and Nissan Ariya. Some match the Mach-E's space and utility but not its range. Others are more established rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y and Audi e-tron. The Mach-E measures up not only to its peers but also to the weight of its legacy.
Positives
Sleek and muscular design. Fun to drive. Hatchback/SUV utility.
Considerations
Less range than the Tesla Y rival. Extended-range battery is expensive. Firm ride.
Verdict
The Ford Mustang Mach-E doesn't bear much resemblance to its iconic namesake, but the Mach-E is a new kind of pony car for an electric era. Sporty, stylish, and efficient, it ranges from mild-mannered commuter to wild horse with neck-whipping power.
What's New for2023
For 2023, Mach-E Premium trims with an extended-range battery and all-wheel drive can travel up to 290 miles, an increase of 13 miles. A panoramic sunroof comes standard on GT and GT Performance trims. Base-model Select trims can now try BlueCruise hands-free driving and surround-view camera free for 90 days before opting to keep or decline it. Two new colors — Carbonized Gray Metallic and Vapor Blue Metallic — join the lineup. A new Mustang Nite Pony package, with darkened wheels and exterior trim, is optional for the Premium and GT Performance Edition trims. Finally, the California Route 1 trim is now only available with all-wheel drive.
Trims and Pricing
The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is available in four trim levels: Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT. The Premium is the popular choice, and it's the one we recommend for most buyers. We'll explain why.
Select
The base Mach-E Select starts at $47,495 (including a $1,300 destination fee). Tax credits and incentives may also apply.
The Select comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, auto-dimming rearview mirror, imitation-leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. In-car tech includes a 15.5-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Select also comes with CoPilot 360 Assist 2.0, a comprehensive bundle of driver safety aids including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors.
Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system comes standard for 90 days on the Select trim and includes adaptive cruise control, lane-centering and automatic lane change, along with evasive steering assist and intersection assist. The latter can detect an oncoming vehicle in the Mach-E's left-hand turn path and apply the brakes to avoid a collision. Navigation and a surround-view camera are also included.
Premium
The Mach-E Premium starts at $52,495 and includes all the Select trim features plus 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, heated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, driver's seat memory settings, a heated steering wheel, multicolor cabin lighting, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. BlueCruise and its supplemental features (navigation, surround-view camera) also come standard. We think the Premium offers the strongest value of the lineup. It adds more desirable features (heated seats, power liftgate, upgraded audio) than the Select without the big leap into a higher-level trim.
California Route 1
The California Route 1 trim starts at $59,495. It includes many of the Premium trim features but adds distinct touches like 18-inch black wheels and black-painted exterior trim pieces. Oddly, it loses the power liftgate and power-adjustable passenger seat, and reverts back to the base trim's six-speaker audio system.
GT
Starting at $65,495, the performance-oriented Mach-E GT rides on 20-inch wheels and builds on the Premium trim with firmer sport seats and upgraded upholstery. The GT Performance Edition amps up the thrills with different 20-inch wheels, larger brakes, and adaptive suspension.
The Mach-E offers a single options package. The Mustang Nite Pony package adds 19-inch gloss black wheels, black wheel center caps, and various black badges. It's available for the Premium trim with extended-range battery and the GT Performance Edition.
Battery and Performance
All 2023 Mustang Mach-E models are equipped with two electric motors, one on each axle. In rear-wheel-drive models, the front motor serves as a generator. In either configuration, power is delivered through a single-speed transmission.
The rear-wheel-drive Select trim generates 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Opting for all-wheel drive ($3,000) increases torque to 428 lb-ft. Ford says the Select can cover 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds (rear-wheel drive), or 5.2 seconds (all-wheel drive). All Selects get a standard-range battery pack.
Premium trims with the standard-range battery make the same power in both configurations. Adding the extended-range battery boosts power to 290 hp (rear-wheel drive, a $7,000 option) and 346 hp (all-wheel drive, $10,000), while torque remains the same.
Despite the extra power, acceleration only improves slightly. With all-wheel drive, 0-60 mph passes in 4.8 seconds. Rear-wheel-drive models are actually slower, taking 6.1 seconds, with additional battery weight a contributing factor.
The California Route 1 trim only comes with all-wheel drive and the extended-range battery. Its performance mirrors the extended-range Premium AWD model.
For speed enthusiasts, the GT offers 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of head-snapping torque, thanks to a larger front motor and unique software programming. The GT can dash to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, while the GT Performance Edition subtrim (an additional $6,000) boosts torque to 634 ft-lb and cuts the 0-60 mph time to 3.5 seconds. The GT is only available with all-wheel drive and the extended-range battery.
We tested the Premium trim with all-wheel drive and the extended battery. It proved to be a comfortable, well-mannered highway cruiser and a joy to push around on twisty country and mountain roads. Acceleration is quick, linear, and almost noiseless unless the artificial engine-noise generator is switched on — in which case the Mach-E, especially in its Unbridled sport driving mode, sounds like it has a snarling gas engine under the hood. It's fake, sure, but fun, and a testament to Ford's sound design team. Other driving modes are Whisper, which maximizes efficiency, and Engage, a more "normal" default setting.
Handling overall is more like a well-set-up road car than a crossover. The meaty steering wheel connects to a responsive and nicely weighted electronic steering system, while the 117-inch wheelbase contributes greatly to the Mach-E's sporty handling. That's 10 inches longer than the V8-powered Mustang GT coupe wheelbase, but on a body that's 2 inches shorter. There's some body movement in tight curves and turns, expected in a tall vehicle (63 inches), but the under-floor battery pack creates a low center of gravity and impressive stability.
The Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD and Mach-E Premium extended-range all-wheel drive claim the same 4.8-second time from 0-60 mph, although the Mach-E costs several thousand dollars less. The Jaguar I-Pace is a shade quicker at 4.5 seconds. The Model Y and Mach-E meet again at the top end, with both the Model Y Performance Long Range AWD and the Mach-E GT Performance Edition, even at 3.5 seconds in a 0-60 sprint. To get anything faster, you'd need to spend about double for the Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo.
The Mach-E's power can be exhilarating, but its ride quality not so much. The suspension is fairly stiff, with a bumpier ride than the Audi e-tron. The cabin could also be quieter. Noise levels aren't annoying, but the pricier European rivals all offer a quieter interior.
The best-in-class turning radius and clear sight lines that make the Mach-E a treat on the road also facilitate parking. Ford recently dropped the Mach-E's self-parking system, presumably due to a semiconductor chip shortage. If made available again, it would likely require only a dealer visit for installation.
Finally, although the Mach-E looks vaguely like an SUV, there's no off-road potential here. It has the same 5.7-inch ground clearance as the V8-powered Ford Mustang GT coupe and isn't designed for off-pavement use. The Audi e-tron, by comparison, has an off-road suspension and handling mode with 8.6 inches of ground clearance.
Range and ChargingTime
The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E's 70-kWh standard-range battery is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 247 miles per charge with rear-wheel drive and 224 miles with all-wheel drive. It is standard equipment on Select and Premium trims.
The Premium's optional 91kWh extended-range battery increases estimated range to 306 miles (rear-wheel drive) and 290 miles (all-wheel drive). The California Route 1 pushes it to 312 miles, but still trails the 316 miles covered by its Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD peer.
Environmental Protection Agency range estimates are good guidelines for EV shoppers, but driving style, terrain, ambient temperature, and cargo and passenger load have more impact on range in an EV than in a gas-powered vehicle. During a week of driving a Mach-E Premium AWD extended-range on a mix of highways, country roads, and mountains, we consistently averaged about 12% lower than the EPA estimate.
All Mach-Es come with a combo connector charge port for the 120-volt and 240-volt charging systems typically found at home or public charging stations. It can also connect to the direct current (or DC) fast chargers typically found near major highways.
The Mach-E has a 10.5-kW charger that can recharge an empty extended-range battery in about 10 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 home charger, adding approximately 30 miles of range per hour (a standard 120-volt household outlet would take about four days).
The DC fast-charge capacity tops out at 150 kW (115 kWh for the Select trim), sufficient to replenish an extended-range battery pack from 10 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes. That's one of the slowest rates in the segment. The Audi e-tron can do the job in about 30 minutes, with a similarly sized battery and same charge rate. Tesla's Model Y Long Range, with 250 kW fast-charge capability, can top up to 80 percent in as little as 25 minutes.
There are about 29,000 fast-charge stations in the US that the Mach-E can use, with more being added every month (Tesla has its own national network of about 1,000 fast-charge stations).
Interior
Inside the Mustang Mach E cabin, Ford designers struck a nice balance between modern minimalist and retro nostalgia. A double-hump dash and running pony embossed on the steering wheel evokes the classic Ford Mustang, while a 10.2-inch digital driver information screen and a vertical 15.5-inch infotainment screen hovering above the center console make its high-tech purpose clear.
Seats are comfortable and supportive, and the GT Performance Edition is furnished with extra-grippy sport seats up front. In a nod to sustainability, all trims use Ford's ActiveX faux leather, and there's no cowhide option from the factory. Standard interiors are black on black, except in the Premium trim, which has a light gray perforated upholstery option. All trims get eight-way power-adjustable driver's seats. The Premium and GT are also equipped with power front passenger seats, driver-seat memory, and heated front seats. There's plenty of headroom front and rear, and front legroom is best-in-class. Rear legroom trails both Audi and Tesla rivals, although the Mach-E's four-door layout and ample headroom make rear-seat access easy even for six-foot-tall passengers.
The Mach-E interior measures up with pricier competitors like the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron. So does its cargo capacity. With all seats up, the Mach-E cargo hold measures 29.7 cubic feet — room for about 18 carry-on bags. Total cargo space swells to 59.7 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down, and there's an additional 4.7-cubic-foot storage well under the hood. The Tesla Model Y leads with 68 cubic feet of cargo area, but the Mach-E is firmly in second place.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E has a Wi-Fi hotspot. A six-speaker unbranded audio system is standard on the Select and California Route 1 trims. Other trims include a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system that easily overpowers road and wind noise.
The Mach-E's 15.5-inch touchscreen is the largest among midsize EVs and controls a custom version of Ford's Sync 4A system. The Tesla Model Y display is just slightly smaller at 15 inches, while most others range from 10 to 11 inches.
Sync 4A offers voice control and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Front and rear USB ports (both USB-A and USB-C) and a wireless charging pad ensure all passenger phones can stay topped up. All Mach-E software updates come over the air, downloaded directly to the car. Voice commands and the big touchscreen handle most of the Mach-E's functions. The only physical knob on the dash is for volume control, although there are phone, audio, and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel.
Safety
The 2023 Mustang Mach-E hasn't received an overall safety rating or frontal crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but has earned five stars across the board for side-impact and rollover safety.
But with its full suite of active safety and driver-assist systems and rigid safety cage surrounding the battery pack, the Mach-E is ranked as one of the safest electric crossovers tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Mach-E aced the institute's crash tests and won top ratings for its front crash prevention system in tests with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Only the Select trim fell short with a Marginal rating for the effectiveness of its LED headlights, but all other trims have LED projection beam headlights and won ratings as an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Ford's CoPilot 360 Assist 2.0 features safety aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors.
The Blue Cruise driving system can be used on roads and highways that Ford has mapped and vetted as safe for hands-free driving. Blue Cruise includes adaptive cruise control, lane-centering and automatic lane change, along with evasive steering assist and intersection assist. Navigation and a surround-view camera are also included. Blue Cruise comes standard on Premium trims and above and as a 90-day trial for Select trims. Regardless of trim, Blue Cruise requires a $600 activation fee for a three-year subscription.
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. theCompetition
The 2023 Mustang Mach-E isn't the biggest or fanciest of the compact electric crossover crowd. That honor goes to the Audi e-tron. And despite its impressive road-handling capabilities, the Mach-E isn't as sporty as the Jaguar I-Pace. But extended-range battery models offer more range than all but the Tesla Model Y Long Range, putting the Mach-E ahead of crossover EV newcomers like the Subaru Solterra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Nissan Ariya.
The margin is slim, though. The Ioniq 5 and Ariya, for example, top out at 303 and 304 miles of range, respectively. And the EV6 is right on the Mach-E's heels with 310 miles of range.
The Mach-E also offers more cargo room than most, although the Toyota bZ4X (27.9 cu ft) and Solterra (29 cu ft) come close. The Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4 are still tops, though, with 30 cu ft. Unless towing is a must or the Mach-E's price is out of budget, Ford's new-age horse belongs on every EV shopper's consideration list.
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Audi e-tron
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Jaguar I-PACE
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Kia EV6
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Nissan Ariya
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Subaru Solterra
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Tesla Model Y
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Toyota bZ4X
Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Volkswagen ID.4
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