Driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV – a interesting EV from the Blue Oval. By using the iconic Mustang name Ford wanted to position their first electric offering, and apart from the prominent badge on the nose there is no other likeness. I drove the mid-spec Mustang Mach-E Premium, sitting between the entry Select and the potent GT, the Mach-e Premium first arrived in 2023 at $91,665, was dropped to $86,990 in late 2023 and again on May 31 last year to $79,990, around $88,700 drive-away. Still a rather hefty price considering most electric opposition is well south of this figure, the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Polestar 2 and Kia EV6 all undercutting it on price. – as such just 673 Ford Mustang Mach-E’s found homes last year.



Having said that from my perspective the Mach-E Premium has some very rewarding features – a single motor rear wheel drive with 216kW/430Nm of torque, the Premium gaining a larger 91kWh nickel cobalt manganese battery providing an impressive 600Km range. The overall design of this electric Ford SUV appeals, roomy in both rows in a coupe style SUV body with good luggage space, an impressive dash and instrument cluster and a huge and innovative 15.5-inch portrait style touchscreen that sets it apart from many similar touchscreens and one that is very intuitive. Disappointingly, the premium price is the only factor stopping the Ford Mach-E from gaining a larger market share.

Having said that I found it an appealing EV in a coupe style body with excellent interior room and with interesting push button door latches, highly specified with a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, and top-notch artificial leather power seats. The driving experience hard to fault although the ride can at times become a little harsh due to the large 91 kWh battery – all up-weight topping 2098 kilos. But still offering a 0 to 100 km time of 6.2 seconds – The Ford Mustang Mach-E premium not a sporty SUV, certainly competent, and best described as a very comfortable, quiet cruiser with relaxed steering but by no means a Mustang.
Just where Ford will end up with EV’s will be interesting to watch, having lost US$5.1 billion on its Model e division in 2024 with a prediction it will lose much the same amount this year. More telling was the fact that it lost a staggering US$100,000 on every EV it produced last year, more than double the loss per EV in 2023. Ford has now adjusted its overall EV strategy, making US$1.4 billion in cost savings within its Model e division and reducing spending by US$12 billion on battery-powered vehicles, delaying launches of new EVs and reducing the size of its battery factories.

Like many car makers it will also step back from its pledge in 2021 to be an all-electric manufacturer by 2030 and now suggests that if demand remains for internal combustion vehicles it will continue to manufacture them. With electric car sales faltering the world over Ford has had to slash prices to remain competitive in a market that has seen huge discounts emerge from Tesla and other Chinese EV manufacturers. Although new tariffs on imported products by the Trump administration will no doubt assist the American based manufacturers.