The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is a premium version of the company’s first electric vehicle. Available in GT and GT Performance edition versions, it offers more horsepower, more torque, and faster acceleration than the Select, Premium or California Route 1 models, as well as several other premium features.
In terms of price and performance, it’s comparable to Tesla’s Model Y performance. While the use of the Mustang brand in electric SUVs is divisive, this is the most Mach-E Mustang to date and will even take the Mustang Shelby GT350R out of the line.
While we’re testing the Mustang Mach-E Premium in 2021, I wanted to see how much better the GT version could be and try out some of the latest features on this 2022 model.
(Image credit: Future)
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: price and availability
The Mach-E GT was announced in April 2021 and goes on sale in October 2021. However, stock is currently limited to all 2022 Mach-E Mustang models in the UK and US, with sales expected to restart later in the year.
While the standard Ford Mach-E starts at £47,530/$43,895, the GT costs from £68,030/$61,995 (not yet available in Australia). The model I tested was the GT Performance Edition, with a panoramic glass roof and the Co-pilot360 with BlueCruise, bringing the total MSRP to $69,600.
While not cheap, it’s $10,000 less than the Tesla Model Y Performance, once you add Tesla’s $12k Autopilot.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: design and features
The Mustang Mach-E is a nice looking car but the GT version includes a few small touches that add a bit of flare. It has 20-inch rims that are larger than the standard 18 or 19-inch models, with wider 20-inch wheels and lower sports suspension mounts. You can also see the red Brembo brake calipers through the wheels.
The badge is pretty subtle. There’s a GT badge on the back, a small Mach-E name on the bottom of both front doors, and a Pony badge on the front. On the GT, however, the pony badge lights up at night – something not offered on the standard model – and the larger pony symbol shines on the ground from the rearview mirror as you approach. This looks really cool.
Inside, the front seats have a more sporty feel, with added support and grip to hold you in place in tighter corners and fixed headrests. Otherwise, the dashboard is very similar to other Mach-E models. The 10.2-inch landscape screen sits behind the wheel with the prime mover instrumentation display while the larger 15.5-inch portrait-oriented display sits in the center for entertainment and vehicle control.
The large panoramic glass roof (optional $1300 extra) lets a lot of light into the cabin and helps give it a spacious feel. Not that it will feel cramped otherwise, because there is a lot of head height and width. The sleek lines of this car hide how big it is until you’re inside. Much like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, only a few inches smaller.
In lieu of the usual engine bay, the Mach-E features a sizable frunk – or front trunk – that’s enough for shopping, a weekend bag, or a large refrigerated drink, including ice. The drink is plastic-coated, water-resistant, and drainable, so you can pour the ice directly in and drain it as it melts.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: performance and drive
The Mach-E GT produces 480hp and 634 lb/ft of torque from its dual AWD motor. That delivers a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds on the GT, and 3.5 seconds on the performance version of the GT. For reference, the Mach-E usually sets between 5.8 and 4.7 seconds.
The 91 kWh battery is the same as in the long-range model, although due to the extra power here, the range is lower on the GT. Based on EPS estimates you can expect a range of 260-270 miles in the GT which is definitely not bad but not great either.
At around 90% charge, I’m seeing a range of around 200 miles with mostly city driving, so I’m sure with some longer stretches and softer driving, that figure is almost right. This is something to keep in mind with any performance electric car. As soon as you really put your foot down, the reach drops like a rock.
For a car with such sports tuning, the ride is pretty smooth. The suspension is certainly stiffer than the standard model and the larger wheels (and low-profile tires) don’t absorb road bumps well but they don’t shake your skull.
The Mach-E GT has three driving modes with the appropriate Mustang name. Whisper is your eco mode, Engaged is your regular driving mode, and Unbridled is your sport mode. The GT Performance Edition also has an Unbridled Extend drive mode, which is basically a track mode, though instead of just putting everything at full blow, it actually reduces peak power a bit to result in a more constant power delivery.
You can feel everything stiffen when you switch to Unbridled mode and the moment you hit the floor, the Mach-E GT has you pinned in the gym seat during takeoff. It is very fast. It’s easy to forget that this is an SUV because the handling is excellent, although not as pleasant as the regular Mustang GT.
The internally synthesized engine sound is subtle enough not to feel intrusive and loud enough to fool you – even for just a second – that it is actually a real engine roar. Of course driving this car is enough to make you smile.
Sketch app on Mach-E
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: self-drive and technology
That 15.5-inch center touchscreen is the key to most of the technology on offer on the Mac-E GT. The screen itself is hard to miss and like many large screens, feels a little stuck, rather than integrated into the dashboard. It is, however very useful to use.
Ford’s Sync 4A software provides a very useful platform for access to everything from radio and climate control to navigation settings and cruise control. The buttons and icons are clear and easy to operate, even for first-time users. It also supports voice control. The main menu includes radio, telephone and navigation options, as well as tire pressure and trip information. You can even access the owner’s manual and sketches – the basic functions of painting and drawing.
You can customize your profile and link it to your Ford Pass to use your phone as a key. Vehicle settings and controls such as driving mode, external camera, parking and driver assistance can be accessed by clicking on the car icon at the top left of the screen at any time. You can change the color of the car’s internal ambient here and the colors on the screen change depending on the driving mode you choose – from Whisper teal to Unbridled orange.
The system also syncs with your phone wirelessly to allow Apple CarPlay or Android Auto operation. While it’s clear that this runs as a separate system, Ford’s Sync handles it very well, allowing you to change the size of the windows assigned to it and still keep vehicle controls easily accessible above and below.
There’s room for two phones on the pedestal under the display and the side closest to the driver provides wireless charging, so you don’t lose power when connected. Passengers can always plug their phone into one of the two available USB port options on the center console.
One feature I really wanted to try on the Mustang Mach-E GT is the Ford Co-pilot360, this includes BlueCruise hands-free driving on certain routes and Active Park Assist.
Active Park Assist allows the Mach-E GT to self-park at the touch of a button. There is a dedicated button next to the gear controller on the center console and once pressed, parking instructions will appear on the screen. The camera will scan an available spot (either parallel or at a right angle) and confirm when it finds an empty spot. You then place the car in neutral and hold down the park button. The process is very fast the first time you use it, but it manages a very efficient parallel garden in my way.
For normal driving, there are options for pre-collision assist emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition and lane centering assistance. It’s a pretty standard feature on electric cars but it works really well. BlueCruise is only available in select ‘Blue Zones’, although it now covers over 130,000 miles of highways across the US. This allows you to completely take your hands off the wheel, as long as you keep your eyes on the road. The driver-facing camera monitors your eye line and will want you if you look away.
Luckily, the main highway through Illinois is the Blue Zone so I was able to give it a try. Taking your hands off the wheel is a liberating experience and one that is sure to reduce the stress on that long US journey. The car stays on track perfectly and just when I want to overtake do I need to take control back. While the Co-pilot is an additional $1900 to the price, it’s more than worth it for this technology and probably my favorite thing about this car.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: verdict
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is an outstanding SUV. I think this is one of the best looking EVs on the market and driving it is a lot of fun. The GT, and in particular the GT Performance Edition, adds some serious flair to the Mach-E that makes it a proper driver’s car. While not everyone will justify the extra cost, it doesn’t feel overwhelming for what you get, especially against the competition.
Technology – especially BlueCruise – is what takes this car to another level. I was very impressed with how the driver system worked and provided a stress-free driving experience for long road trips. I hope to see this in more models.
My only gripe with the Mach-E GT is the range. Once you take the battery under 80% and you leave 10% you have less than 180 miles of charge to get you between chargers. This is a lot for city driving but on the down side for longer distances.
The Mustang badge on the Mach-E has been both a blessing and a curse, as even a GT could never compare to a ‘true’ Mustang. However, if you take the car for what it is – a high-performance SUV – it’s brilliant. If I bought an EV now (and it had stock available), the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT would be on my list.
(Image credit: Future)
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: consider that too
While the Mach-E GT is very fast, most users will find a regular Mach-E car more than adequate. The Mach-E starts at £47,530/$43,895, has a range of up to 303 miles and 0-60mph from 6.7 to 4.8 seconds (depending on battery and motor). You can also still get a Ford Co-pilot360 with BlueCruise (US only).
If you want an electric SUV to match the speed of the Mach-E GT, the only real option is the Tesla Model Y. The Performance Model provides the same 0-60mph 3.5 seconds and a slightly wider range of 303 miles. . Prices start at £64,990/$67,990 but you’ll need to add another £6,800/$12,000 if you want full self-driving capacity.