Auto review by Veeno Dewan

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is the first fully electric SUV from the Blue Oval and is a handsome and sporty all-electric, luxury compact SUV. While it shares the iconic name of the venerable Ford Mustang sports car and has some styling cues from it, notably: the front headlights, rear light treatment, and quarter flanks, the Mach-E is a totally different tall, boxy compact crossover with an all-electric powertrain. No rumbling V8 here folks!

It has been a stroke of genius for Ford to use the Mustang moniker. The name has drawn a lot of interest and the Mach-E sold very well in pre-orders and is incredibly hard to find due to the high demand.  It is not just the name, however. The  Mach-E is hands down every bit as good as premium Electric players like the Tesla Model Y,  Jaguar I-Pace, and the Audi e-Tron, all-electric crossovers. The Mach- E won the 2021 North American Utility Vehicle of The Year award – That’s how good it is!

Ford offers the Mach -E in both rear and all-wheel drive, with a choice of a 68 kWh or 88 kWh battery capacity. The range is certified between 375 and 480 km depending on the battery size. Power is via two all-electric synchronous AC motors powered by an 88-kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the top-spec models with a combined output of 346 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. A transmission is a direct-drive unit with multiple drive modes supplied to an All-Wheel Drive system. Total energy consumption is rated at 25 kWh/100 km.

Note: The Ford Mustang Mach -E  is not an inexpensive vehicle. In line with the middle rung EV’S, the pricing starts at the low fifties, in this case around $50,495 for the base model and goes all the way to $82,995 for the fully loaded high-performance GT model. The Mach-E will hit 0-100 km/h in about five seconds in terms of performance. Charging options include a fast charger, a home charger, or via a 120volt household system.

There are four models available: Select, Premium, California  RouteOne, and GT. Select Equipment levels as standard are high and include FordPass Connect that enables cellphones to operate as a key, a 15.5-inch infotainment screen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Also included is Ford’s CoPilot360 suite of safety tech. This includes reverse brake assist, reverse sensing, blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Also available is Co-Pilot360 Active, with a semi-autonomous driving mode. Options lists add such things as an extended-range battery, all-wheel drive with electric motors front and rear, a 360-degree camera, and an upgraded B&O audio system.

The Mach- E’s cabin is alive with premium materials and attention to detail. There is a smart modern look to the interior with plenty of storage and ample space in the airy and spacious cabin. The front seats offer good support for long rides.

Ford’s excellent Sync infotainment software is updated to include options on how to manage display energy, charging, range, and other info.  The Mach-E also features Ford’s over-the-air update capability for vehicle systems. Subsequent updates will no doubt transfer improvements in range, performance, and other parameters in the future.

The rear compartment is roomy enough and has all the creature comforts you could want. This being a tall boxy design the Mach-e offers superlative head and legroom. The rear cargo capacity is  821L, with 1,687L with rear seats folded down.  A 35 liter “Frunk under the front hood allows for storing charging cables and what have you.

On the road, the Mach -E  offers very quick acceleration. It’s disconcerting at first as all this happens with the dab of the throttle and in near silence! Endearingly Ford provides the available three drive modes with “propulsion” sounds. The different drive modes also firm up such parameters as the steering response. The throttle response is also adjustable. With its low center of gravity and underfloor batteries, the Mach-E feels stable and composed on all surfaces. Handling response is nicely weighted, and the Mach-E is a joy to drive.

To sum up, the Mach-E offers an excellent combination of luxury,  performance, and electric driving range. Decent levels of equipment and a serene driving experience all make the Mustang Mach-E one of the better all-electric SUVs in the market. Highly recommended. A gamechanger!

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E priced from $52,495 – $82,995.

More info at www.ford.ca