People are confused by the name. It was a bold statement to brand an all-electric four-door Crossover with the name “Mustang.” The Mustang Mach-E may have borrowed a letter from Ford’s final passenger vehicle, but it has nothing in common with the traditional Mustang other than the name.
The Mach-sharp E’s design features etched into the soaring, curving exterior and the hefty hips above the back wheels make it appear like a Mustang regardless of its four-door SUV shape. The body posture is low and powerful, like an athlete’s.
The Mustang Mach-E comes in four different versions, with most having the choice between regular and enlarged endurance, as well as rear and all-wheel drive. For comparison, WIRED’s test vehicle was an all-wheel drive, extended-range Premium that lists for $57,800 even before a $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs is applied.
To test how well the Mach-E would do on a lengthy road trip, I traveled it from New York City to northern Vermont and back, a distance of 700 miles. We were three backpackers, each with a pack containing several days’ worth of supplies.
Cost of the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The base price of a 2023 Mustang Mach-E is $46,895, plus $895 for shipping. That’s the price for the Select model with RWD. The Premium grade also requires an additional $2,700 for all-wheel drive.
Prices for the premium tier start at about $55k. This package includes an $8,600 long-range battery.
The base price of the California Route 1 variant (now including conventional all-wheel drive) is slightly over $63.5K. Prices start at a little about $70,000 for the top-tier GT variant. The most costly premium paint is $795, while the GT Achievement Edition package (which includes an adjustable suspension) costs $6,000.
The federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is the silver lining to these expensive clouds (currently, electric cars from Chevrolet and Tesla are not eligible). Incentives might potentially be provided by a number of states. Those who purchase or lease a new Mustang Mach-E in California may get a $2,000 rebate thanks to the state’s “Clean Vehicle Rebate” initiative. An offer of $500 has been made by New York.
Ford also provides 250 kWh of complimentary quick charge on the Energize America system.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are two more popular options, both with pricing that begins in the mid $40s and generating a lot of excitement among consumers. Comparatively, the Volkswagen ID.4 costs about $38,000, while the Tesla Model Y can be purchased for $66,000. (with a range of 318 miles and all-wheel drive as standard). Chevrolet’s smaller Bolt EUV costs over $28,000 to start and can go 247 miles on a single charge.
The Premium trim’s anticipated range has increased by 13 miles to 290 miles for the 2019 model year, and it also comes standard with extra features like the automaker’s Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance technology. Some Mustang Premium and GT Performance Editions may now be had with the new Nite Pony option. The Premium trim level upgrades the appearance with gloss-black 19-inch wheels and black fenders and door cladding. Black GT badging and 20-inch wheels with a gloss black finish are included in the GT Special Edition option. The GT and the GT Performance Edition both come with a panoramic glass roof as standard equipment today. Carbonized Gray Metallic and Vapor Blue Metallic are the new exterior colors available for the Mach-E.
According to Ford, the 2023 Mustang Mach-E has a range of between 224 and 312 miles, based on the rechargeable battery and the arrangement of the electric motors. Compared to Tesla’s longest-range models, it is woefully inadequate. Each model is equipped with a portable charger that can add up to 30 miles of range overnight when connected to a 120-volt outlet and up to 80 percent of battery life when connected to a 240-volt outlet. Ford offers a charging station that can be purchased online and installed by licensed electricians to provide 32 miles of range in a single charge.
The Mustang Mach-battery E’s pack is hidden away beneath the car’s floor, so there’s plenty of room for passengers and goods. The inside of the Mach-E is quite different from that of a standard Mustang. The vertically placed, enormous touchscreen takes center stage on the sleek dashboard with the beautiful digital instrument cluster. You can stow a bag or other small things in the space between the front seats thanks to a central armrest that floats and flips up. There are a lot of cool extras, such as programmable ambient lighting, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, and more. You may keep ice and other filthy items in the front trunk since it’s built of sturdy polymers that can be cleaned with water and then emptied. Backseat cargo space in the Mach-E is 29 cubic feet, while the total cargo capacity is 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
