Does Ford’s first performance EV deserve to wear the famous Mustang badge?

Ford Mustang Mach-e GT review: A dark horse in the performance EV world

April 3, 2024 Matt Allan

Does Ford’s first performance EV deserve to wear the famous Mustang badge?

The Ford Mustang Mach-e’s name has always been a bit of a problem for me.

Ford insists the name reflects how its first EV embodies the spirit of its famous muscle car. But it’s hard to take that seriously when this new breed of Mustang is a massive four-door family SUV rather than a low, sleek coupe.

Still, Ford perseveres and it’s true that even basic versions of the Mach-e aren’t much slower than the current V8 Mustang. But to really embrace the Mustang spirit, the Mach-e needs a performance model, which is why we have the Mustang Mach-e GT, positioned to compete with the likes of the Kia EV6 GT and Tesla Model Y Performance.

Design, interior and technology

Like quite a few rivals, the Mustang Mach-e tries to play the coupe-SUV card, giving a high seating position and lots of interior space but without the boxy design of traditional SUVs.

The results are largely successful, with a long bonnet that’s clearly inspired by the coupe and a dropping rear roofline that’s made to look far more dramatic through clever use of colour on the roof and body. It’s certainly more appealing than the melted soapbar Model Y but let down slightly by things like the grille that looks like a fake moustache and weird door handles that look like misaligned bits of plastic trim.

The GT spec adds a more purposeful look thanks to lower suspension, unique front and rear trim, body-colour wheel arches and machined 20-inch alloys hiding bright red brakes.

Ford Mustang Mach-e GT interior — The Mach-e GT’s interior is simple and mostly user-friendly

Internally, the Mach-e GT offers the same practical cabin as regular models. There’s plenty of space for five adults, heaps of storage for all a family’s odds and ends, and reasonable 402-litre boot. Ford has gone for a pared-back approach to the design and layout. Some of the switchgear is shared with other Fords and feel a little low-rent for a £65,000 car but the overall look is clean and modern. The key upgrade for the GT are supportive sports seats finished in faux leather

At the heart of the cabin is a massive 15.5-inch portrait touchscreen which controls everything from the drive modes to the air conditioning. Physical controls for such things would be welcome but overall the system works well, with well-placed shortcuts for key functions and a sharp screen and responsive operating system. Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and native apps like Spotify are featured along with live mapping and EV routing. Wireless charging is also standard.

In front of the driver a slimline digital display shares the stripped-back interior approach, clearly showing all the key information such as speed, range and driver assistance settings without unnecessary clutter. Those driver assistance systems are pretty comprehensive but can be extended with BlueCruise – Europe’s first road legal hands-off, eyes-on semi-autonomous driving.

Battery, motor and performance

The Mustang Mach-e takes the regular all-wheel-drive variant and cranks everything up to make it worthy of the GT badge. The twin motors produce a huge 480bhp and Tarmac-torturing 634lb ft of torque. That’s enough to slingshot this large SUV from standstill to 62mph in a supercar-worrying 3.7 seconds.

Even in the calmest ‘Whisper’ driving mode there’s an immediate surge of acceleration whenever you press the throttle and flicking up to Untamed and Untamed Pro brings a real ferocity to how the Mach-e makes progress. It’s more than a match for its sports car namesake and while it lacks the V8 growl there’s an intriguing electronic ‘engine note’ that brings images of spaceships soaring through space.

Ford Mustang Mach-e GT — The Mustang Mach-e GT packs a punch to match its name

Away from the straight line, the Mach-e might actually have the coupe beaten. You can’t call a two-tonne SUV nimble but the trick MagneRide adaptive suspension, meaty steering and clever power distribution mean the GT can carve its way along a challenging country road with impressive speed and accuracy.

But the Mach-e also has a party trick. While a lot of performance EVs focus on outright pace through all-wheel-drive, the Mach-e GT’s sportier drive modes unlock a distinct rear-wheel-drive bias. This brings a little of the ICE car’s famous tail-out silliness and injects some fun that’s often lacking from quick electric cars.

Making the most of all the performance will, inevitably, do your range and efficiency no good but treat it gently and Ford claims you’ll get up to 304 miles from the 91kWh battery. Charging at up to 150kW should give a 10-80% top-up in around 45 minutes.

Price and specification

Value-wise, the GT is in a tricky position. Starting at £67,540, it’s around £5,000 more than the more powerful Kia EV6 and £7,500 more than the marginally quicker Model Y. Only recent Porsche price rises mean the gap to the excellent Taycan has grown to an unrealistic level.

Your money does get you plenty of kit, from the adaptive dampers and Brembo brakes to an internet-connected touchscreen and the latest ADAS systems. There’s also a massive panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights and a powered tailgate, plus heated seats and steering wheel.

Verdict

I’m still not convinced that Ford has it right with the name of the Mustang Mach-e. For many people Mustang means only one thing, and the Mach-e is good enough to stand alone without relying on a sense of nostalgia or badge loyalty.

That said, there’s definitely an element of the raucous, playful Mustang about this GT version that brings an element of fun missing from so many EVs. On top of that, it has all the technology, comfort and practicality of more sensible versions wrapped in a suitably wild looking exterior.