Ford Mustang Mach-E Review

Read Caroline’s Ford Mustang Mach-E review for everything you need to know about buying Ford’s new electric SUV in Ireland.

Late in 2021, the Ford Mustang Mach-E finally arrived in Ireland. It felt like we were waiting for this car for so long!

The Mach-E is Ford’s first serious attempt at a mass production battery electric vehicle. Styled as a sort of SUV using the iconic Mustang badge, the new Ford Mustang Mach-E goes on sale in Ireland priced from €53,100 including the SEAI grant.

The new Ford electric SUV offers buyers lots of options. There are single motor rear wheel drive and dual motor all wheel drive variants, two battery sizes offering driving range up to a potential 610 km, and a range topping Mach-E GT with 487 hp. Was it worth the wait?

What’s so special about the Ford Mustang Mach-E?

Just look at it! This is a very successful design for an electric vehicle. More of a crossover really than an SUV. The Mustang Mach-E is sleek and sporty with a nod to the iconic Mustang fastback in those trademark tri-bar lights at the rear. The front end of the car is just gorgeous with a curved closed grille and thin, aggressive headlamps.

There are no Ford badges anywhere on the car – except the key. Aligning with the cool Mustang brand goes a long way to make the Mach-E’s now more premium billing more palatable. And it’s pretty hot under the skin too.

Standard (70 kWh) and extended-range (91 kWh) battery options are available. There is a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive performance. The 70 kWh rear wheel drive entry model has a range of 440 km (WLTP) and 269 hp. The Mustang Mach-E First Edition on test for Changing Lanes features all-wheel drive and extended-range battery as standard (540 km WLTP) and 351 hp, retailing from a more serious €76,100.

Mustang Mach-E’s all-new platform has been developed by the specially formed Ford Team Edison to take full advantage of the performance-enhancing weight distribution and torque delivery of an electric powertrain. The lithium-ion battery is located centrally between the axles and beneath the floor for a low centre of gravity to support sporty driving dynamics.

In short, this is an electric vehicle you will want to drive.

Inside the Mustang Mach-E

The interior of the Mustang Mach-E marks a new generation interior for a Ford car. There has been a significant digital upgrade to anything we’ve seen previously from the brand. This includes a new digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a show-stopping 15.5″ portrait-style touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard.

It’s a blend of old and new, with enough traditional switchgear inside to not frighten any Ford customers! A wireless charging pad for smartphones also comes as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Quality is a good step forward for Ford but it won’t worry the best in class for outright cabin finish. Leather seats and other cabin materials have a red stitching finish in all wheel drive models. With that iconic pony logo on the steering wheel, you won’t forget the Mustang Mach-E’s sporty roots.

It’s a fashionable and practical car with seating for five inside. The space inside the new Mach-E is about comparable to a mid-size SUV. There is a 402 litre boot and a ‘frunk’ (front trunk storage unit) with an additional 81 litres of storage space. The front trunk is also drainable for added convenience!

Driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E

From the start, a lot of work has gone into making the Mach-E an exciting electric car to drive. Unique settings for shock absorbers, springs, anti-roll bars, steering and powertrain have been tailored for models sold in the European market.

The Mustang Mach-E First Edition on test for Changing Lanes features all-wheel drive and extended-range battery as standard. This model has a healthy 351 hp, 580 Nm of torque and 0-100 km/h acceleration is just 5.1 seconds.

So on the road the Mach-E feels sporty and natural. That goes for the steering too. This car is fun to drive with lightening quick responses. The all-wheel drive system applies torque independently to the front and rear wheels for improved acceleration and handling. The Mach-E responds willingly to the throttle with no fuss or wheel spin. Just pure, linear power time after time.

Despite all that sportiness behind the wheel, it rides pretty well too on the smooth stuff though you will feel more over bumps.

Features include one pedal driving to help return more kinetic energy to the battery, and selectable drive modes – Whisper, Active and Untamed. For example Untamed mode unleashes the full potential of the Mustang Mach-E by sharpening the steering, enhancing the throttle response and even giving the driver the feel of downshifting on deceleration.

Anything else?

The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT will feature all-wheel drive and extended-range battery as standard. When it arrives in Ireland, it will be the range topper with 487 hp, 860 Nm of torque and 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.7 seconds 

The Mustang Mach-E can be charged at home using a 7.4 kW wallbox in just over 8 hours to get to 80%. DC fast-charging up to 150 kW is also possible with 91 kWh battery variants, using an IONITY charger for example. This will add about 80% battery charge in 40 minutes. 115 kW fast charging is available with standard battery variants.

In Ireland, Mustang Mach-E is offered in three series: RWD, AWD and GT, as well as a limited number of First Edition vehicles available at launch.

Standard equipment on rear wheel drive models includes 18” silver alloy wheels; puddle light Mustang logo projection; heated front seats; FordPass Connect; e-latch keyless entry system with B-pillar keypad access; and Pre-Collision Assist. Standard battery versions are priced from €53,100, while the extended range RWD version is available from €64,400.

All wheel drive versions come with 19” black machined alloy wheels; red brake calipers; side cladding and wheel arches in piano black; rear view camera; hands free tailgate; 360-degree camera; B&O Premium Sound System 10-Speaker; advanced active park assist; and a full panoramic roof. With the standard battery, this model is priced from €68,550. While with the extended range battery, this model is priced from €76,100.

Did you like it?

The Mustang returns! But as Ford’s first proper attempt at a full battery electric vehicle.

With pricing starting from €53,100 and rising to €82,000 for the range-topping Mustang Mach-E GT, this is new territory for Ford. It is an expensive car and there is plenty of competition now in this price range.

The Mustang Mach-E bites back with cool crossover styling, the iconic Mustang badge and a car that is truly enjoyable to drive.

The interior of the Mustang Mach-E blends old and new, with an exciting new look, though cabin finish won’t worry the best in class. Still it’s stylish and cool with an infotainment system that is good to use.

The Mach-E offers many options with the best offering up to 610 km in range. Matching that in real world driving will be nigh on impossible, but any EV that can do over 300 km on a full charge these days will get you around just fine.

While it’s odd to have a car with a Mustang badge and no rumble from under the bonnet, the world has changed. And the Ford Mustang Mach-E is certainly memorable now among EVs. Crucially it hits the desirability box too.

Caroline Kidd

Model tested: Ford Mustang Mach-e AWD First Edition Extended Range
Price: €76,100
Battery: 91 kWh
Power: 351 hp
Torque: 580 Nm
0-100km/h: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 179 km/h
Motor tax: €120 per year