The Chic, Minimalist Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E Puts The Future in Your Hands—Right Now
Scotty Reiss
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You don’t have to wait for the future; it’s here!
There are so many great things about the Ford Mustang Mach-E that I don’t know where to start. But maybe I’ll start here: This could be my forever car.
It’s rare to feel so chic, so stylish, so capable, so sophisticated and so smart in a single car. The Mustang Mach-E is all that.
And here’s why: Not only did Ford put all its Mustang smarts into this car, but they did it in a way that blends the best of what we know, need and love in cars with smart design details that advance the future of car design. The minimalistic, elegant look and feel elevates the experience. But the design and function are intuitive so you won’t be confused, bored or frustrated; you’ll just feel good while you get where you’re going.
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A view of the front cabin in the Mustang Mach-E. The minimalist dash and the simple center console featuring phone cubbies, cup holders and command center. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Here’s the Lowdown
With a price that starts at about $42,000 and tops out at $50,000 before tax incentives, this all electric Mustang is an SUV, seats 5, and has a driving range of 211-300 miles depending on the model. And it qualifies for federal and state tax incentives; essentially, if you buy this car and your income qualifies, you can lop the tax incentive off your owed taxes the year you purchase it. There also may be incentives offered by your power company—many are offering a rebate for installing a car charger.
The Mach-E is available in Standard and Premium trims; the Premium trim gives you a choice of battery range. There’s a California Route 1 edition that has a mix of standard and premium features and the higher battery range. And, the Mach-E is offered in rear wheel drive or all wheel drive—AWD reduces your mileage range, though—and has all the perks of EVs, such as one-pedal driving, an app with charging information, charge station locator and more.
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The rear of the Mustang Mach E with the iconic Mustang tail lights. Photo: Scotty Reiss
On the Outside, All Mustang All the Time
It starts with the exterior which, I know, is pretty obvious. It looks like a Mustang on steroids: The Mach-E is larger than a Mustang, has four doors, a higher ground stance and a higher roofline — it is an SUV after all. But the front end has Mustang’s hood lines and the rear end has Mustang’s iconic tail lights, giving it that familiar sporty look and feel.
You’ll see Mustang icons all over the exterior – the classic pony in mid stride is striated for an elevated look, more future less past. The Mustang icon even greets you with a puddle light at the driver’s door as you approach the car.
You’ll see Mustang icons inside the car too, on the steering wheel and on the driver’s information screen as you start the car.
Then, there are Mustang-inspired details, like the “Unbridled” drive mode and the Mustang icon and “Horsepowered” message inside the charge door.
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The Mustang Mach-E’s puddle light, an image that is projected on the ground as you approach the car. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Clever Details Greet You—Welcome to the Electric Car Life!
It starts when you approach the car with your key in your purse. The Mach-E senses it and its running lights illuminate, like a puppy whose ears perk up when you walk into the room. It’s so welcoming! And then:
Traditional door handles on the Ford Mustang Mach E have been replaced by a button that lights up as you approach and a hook to pull to open the door. It’s quite easy and intuitive to use. Photo: Scotty Reiss
No Door Handles
Who knew we don’t really need door handles? When you approach the driver’s side door you’ll quickly notice a small illuminated button; push it and the door pops open. Instead of a door handle, there’s a small hook to grab to open the door, but you don’t really need it. Once the door pops open you can simply slide your hand in and pull the door open. That’s how the rear doors work.
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The driver’s infotainment screen shows your charge status, too. Photo: Scotty Reiss
No Dials and Gauges
The driver’s information screen is super simple: A flat, rectangular screen that shows you in plain graphics your speed, your charge level, the driving range on the battery and a few other details. All you really need to know.
You Don’t Need a Key
While I used a key fob for my test drive, most owners won’t. They’ll simply open their Ford Pass app and drive using their phone. That’s the way of the future and dang, do I look forward to never having to keep track of a key again!
The Mustang Mach-E’s infotainment screen can show you your charging status and allow you to set the schedule and other details. Photo: Scotty Reiss
A Large Screen with An Actual Volume Dial
I loved this screen; while it’s large and placed in the center of the car, it complements the minimalistic design. You can customize your driver settings and add a photo of yourself. You can control the typical things like radio, climate and navigation. You can learn how to drive more efficiently. You can get information on the car. You can find a charge station. You can set the drive mode for a more engaging experience. You can turn on the heated seats and steering wheel. The system is designed to be intuitive, to sense your finger approaching and anticipate what you want. For me it resulted in some poking around on the screen to get the cabin temperature set or the fan turned off (to save energy!); it took some getting used to, but by the end of my test drive, I did.
At the bottom of the screen, there’s a large dial that allows you to turn up or down the music volume quickly. Inside the center of the button just tap the power icon to turn the system on or off.
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A Simple, Elegant Center Console
The Mach-E’s command center — gear selector, parking brake, hazard flashers and park assist controls— are neatly laid out on a leather console that extends out only as far as is necessary, taking up less space. It’s elegantly outlined in white stitching and leaves room for cup and phone holders. The overall look of this are also adds to the chic feel of the Mach-E.
The frunk, or front trunk, in the Mustang Mach-E. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Storage, Storage Everywhere
It’s an EV so it has a frunk! For the uninitiated, a frunk is a front trunk, a storage space where the engine typically would be housed. The frunk is accessed via a latch next to the driver’s side door, the same place the hood latch would be found. Inside, the frunk is fairly roomy with enough space for some small things like groceries or an emergency kit. It’s not big enough for roll-aboard bags or a stroller; those will have to go in the super roomy cargo area.
In the cabin, Ford carved out some good storage, including a space under the center console, two spots for phones and a center arm rest that has space under neath AND inside. It’s quite elegant.
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The Mustang Mach E at a ChargePoint charging station. You can even ask the Mustang to navigate you to the closest station. Photo: Scotty Reiss
“Hey, Ford…” Voice assistant
Just say “Hey Ford…” (or pick a phrase of your choice) and the system kicks in to help you. Among its many talents, it can set navigation or set the cabin temperature.
The B&O Sound System is Stylishly Integrated into the Dashboard
Set behind a singular panel of elegant woven fabric, the premium sound system isn’t just glorious, it’s gorgeous, too. The panel spans the entire dash, then continues onto the door panels in the front and back. It actually took a few minutes to realize the this is the speaker system, not just a beautiful design detail. The simplification of the materials, colors and textures adds to the overall chic look and feel of the Mach-E cabin.
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No Wires For Connecting or Charging
You connect and charge your phone wirelessly. And, your phone will connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto when you get into the car with Bluetooth on. Then, pop it into the wireless charger and away it goes, charging and connected without scrambling to plug in cables. It’s lovely.
If other passengers need to charge, there are two standard USB ports and two fast charge ports (which I use because my phone case prevents wireless charging; I’ll have to do something about that).
The Mach-E’s panoramic sunroof. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Lots of Natural Light, Thanks to the Single Pane Glass Roof
The days of the retractable sun roof with a retractable cover may be coming to an end. And for good reason: A tinted single pane roof does the trick. And, while there may be one or two times a year that I actually open the sun roof intentionally, it’s rare. I’m happy with the larger fixed panel that lets in lots of light.
The Ford Pass app lets you control or check your car from your phone. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Ford Pass—The Key to Mustang Mach-E Life
Literally. Download the pass and connect to the Mach-E, and you’ll be able to charge it, find charging stations—including Ford’s own charging network—even open the doors, open the lift gate, start and drive it without a key. You can see where you parked it, what your charge level is and even allow someone else to drive it with the Ford Pass.
The Mustang Mach-E is a blast to drive; its three drive modes — Whisper, Engaged and Unbridled — let you choose when you want to be efficient and when you want to let it go. And, put it in one-pedal driving and really recoup your power for use at a later time.
But really, it’s the chic, minimalistic look and design that won me over. Yes, you can get beautiful cars from many manufacturers. But combine it with the delight of electric driving, the capability of all wheel drive and the gloriousness of Mustang, and this could be my forever car.
Disclosure: The Ford Mustang Mach-E was provided for this test drive; all opinions are my own.