Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: Electric pony with lots of power

With the Mustang Mach-E GT, Ford offers the first fully electric vehicle in its portfolio. Mustang, exactly the cult brand that has always been known for its performance and sound. TechnikNews asked the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT for a ride.

In a nutshell: With the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, the Americans are doing a lot right and very little wrong. They stick to one Mustang feature in particular: performance. The Mach-E GT has plenty of power and offers driving fun in the comfort of an SUV. The interior design and driving behavior, together with the entertainment system, are particularly good. The latter just doesn't impress when it comes to performance. We also didn't like the high consumption and the resulting short range. At a total test vehicle price of 88.300 euros (including 20% ​​VAT, 0% NoVA, with panoramic roof and “Grabber Blue” color), a car that leaves little to be desired and is not just for Mustang fans.

Nevertheless, it must be said that the Mach-E GT has nothing to do with the “original Mustang”; the electric driving experience cannot be compared to that of the combustion engine. Here you are pushed into the seat, whereas with the combustion Mustang you are “pushed” backwards. This accelerates so much from 0, while the combustion engine Mustang needs a certain amount of torque for perfect performance. You're also sitting in an SUV here instead of a sedan - and therefore significantly higher and less sporty in feel. Last but not least, there would be the sound... well, what can you say - quiet vs. absolute racing car feeling.

At the beginning, a brief note about which model we drove in this test. This is the Ford Mustang Mach-E in the GT variant, with an optional panoramic roof. All other features, such as the 19-inch Brembo brake discs and calipers, the 20-inch rims, sports seats and B&O sound system, are actually standard equipment in the GT version.

• View Ford Mustang Mach-E GT on the Ford website

Exterior – cheeky

The electric Mustang looks smart - even if it would catch my eye as a sedan (for those who know the Mach-1) it would be a little quicker. Apart from the brilliant paint color, it looks elegant but cheeky at the same time. Furthermore, it somehow has a Mustang characteristic that makes it clearly identifiable from a distance. Thanks to the buckle-free doors, it also looks very fresh on the frame. The doors are opened here by pressing the button above the handle, the buttons of which - sorry Ford - feel really cheap for this vehicle.

Then of course you notice the 20-inch rims with the red Brembo brake discs, which you should be particularly careful not to touch the curb. A special highlight awaits you at night: here proThe doors project the Mustang logo onto the floor. Small details that just look great. But you can already hear it: There's nothing to complain about on the outside - unless you love the look of the Ford Mustang Mach-1, which has nothing to do with this one.

Interior – noble

The first impression when getting in: wow. The surfaces in the interior not only look finely crafted, but they are. The fabric surfaces create a particularly good look and the large display in the middle is also immediately noticeable. I find this positioned a bit too steep for my taste. The “Sensico premium upholstery” in a leather look with seat center panels in a suede look is used as the seat surface. There are no other configuration options, at least at the moment.

The center tunnel is also very well done, offering plenty of storage space without being restrictive. Ford also takes a slightly different approach with the door handle, which is located on the door back. It's actually unusual at the beginning, but over time you appreciate it and the question arises as to why this isn't the standard. This makes opening the door a lot more comfortable.

Assistance systems – reliable

Picture: TechnikNews

Like most cars, the Mustang comes with all kinds of driving assistance systems. At this point there will be a short list and rating for each assistance system. All of these assistance systems are standard on the Mustang Mach-E.

Adaptive cruise control

Adjusts the speed of the vehicle in front, maintains the set distance and/or maintains the set speed. But go one step further and recognize speed signs: This means the speed is automatically adjusted to the respective traffic limit. An offset or tolerance can also be set to allow the vehicle to always drive a certain km/h above the recognized sign. This worked quite reliably during the test, but in some cases traffic signs such as “100 km/h, only for vehicles over 3,5 tons” were adopted and set incorrectly.

Pre-Collision Assist

Unfortunately, in certain situations, the cruise control often braked very late, but noticeably but in good time, which gave all passengers an uneasy feeling. This worked better for the competition. Here the Mach-E GT should brake significantly earlier and more gently. At the same time, I was also able to get to know the pre-collision assistant for the first time. In one case, the adaptive cruise control even braked so late that the pre-collision system already indicated that you should urgently apply the brakes. These systems should not play off against each other.

Steering assistant

Basically, most steering assistants are intended for highways - including every Ford one. In most cases, it works very well there, but sometimes it swerves back and forth in the lane. Tight curves are partially recognized and braked, but not enough for the steering assistant to steer them correctly.

Blind Spot Assistant

It worked very well review, an acoustic warning, in addition to the symbol in the mirror when changing lanes, would be a nice extra. When pulling out of a parking space, it also recognizes cross traffic and often “sees” the cross traffic in narrow spaces better than the driver himself. Unfortunately, when pulling out of a parking space, even “harmless” obstacles, such as a nearby hedge, were recognized as an obstacle and thus triggered emergency braking.

Dodge assistant

The evasive assistant is an active steering support system that can be used to avoid a potentially serious accident in certain traffic situations and, depending on the speed, using an evasive maneuver. Luckily we didn't need this review and therefore couldn't evaluate it.

High beam assistant

The high beam in modern vehicles is now “smart” and is part of the assistance systems. The Mach-E GT comes with a matrix LED high beam, which means it does not have to dim completely when there is oncoming traffic. Instead, the oncoming vehicle is “hidden” and other parts of the road continue to be illuminated. I was pleasantly surprised when driving on the highway, where the Mach-E generally permanently dims the traffic on the opposite side and does not repeatedly mask individual cars. This did not always work reliably with some competing vehicles, especially in bushes or low lane separations in the middle. Very well made, the system always worked reliably and allows you to see really well at night.

After this praise for the high beam, it must unfortunately also be said that there are no cornering lights. This would have been good for the Mustang.

The camera, which shows several views in the split screen, is also very successful. (Picture: TechnikNews)

Parking assistant

With the parking assistant, the driver can easily have the Mach-E GT drive automatically into a parking space. There is a choice between different parking spaces, such as parallel, behind, next to each other and a few more. To do this, you have to start the parking assistant using the |P| button, turn the indicator in the desired parking space direction and then slowly drive past the parking spaces. This usually works quite reliably review, unfortunately lines alone are often not enough; the Ford likes to use other parked vehicles for orientation.

However, caution is advised in parking spaces with curbs or slopes - the parking assistant does not brake at the “end of the parking space” because it does not detect this with the parking sensors. However, the driver can cancel the assistant immediately by pressing the brake or countersteering.

Driving behavior – sporty

The biggest difference to the fuel counterpart Mustang: It's quiet. ProYou can no longer sit because of the sound here. However, there is the option of setting a “driving sound” that simulates the sound of a “combustion Mustang” via the speakers in the interior. However, to my ears and those of my passengers, this sounds more unnatural than sporty and gives the feeling of sitting in a UFO rather than a sports car.

Entertainment & Infotainment – ​​surprising, slow

When it comes to information and entertainment, I wouldn't have expected that Ford has caught up a lot here by now. On the software side, the company relies on the in-house SYNC4 platform. Of course, this interacts with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – also wirelessly. Hallelujah, we have arrived in 2023 (yes, very few vehicles can do that). However, there were occasional brief interruptions in the connection when the smartphone was connected wirelessly to the vehicle.

I particularly liked the B&O sound system. Listening to music is fun, especially if you adjust the bass equalizer a little higher. A really great sound experience that is second to none - without clipping or tinny at high volumes, rich bass, good mids and pleasant highs. The menus are well organized and easy to find for my taste. Unfortunately, there is a huge point deduction in the performance area for the infotainment: This has absolutely nothing to do with the other performance of the Mach-E GT. I haven't seen such sluggish infotainment in a long time, which is a shame! Looking for a destination in the navigation system... sometimes it really takes (too) long.

Picture: TechnikNews

The small selection of apps is also a shame. Even though Alexa and some games now provide a little more entertainment with the last update, there are only the standard apps such as radio, telephone, navigation system, logbook and more. Don't get me wrong, such things have no place on the display while driving anyway - more entertainment would be desirable for charging breaks (which sometimes take a long time in the Ford, as mentioned below).

App – room for improvement

The so-called “FordPass” app, the Swiss army knife for the Mustang Mach-E GT, also comes with the vehicle. This offers all functions that can be controlled via smartphone in one app. But it sounds more exciting than it is - no, actually not, the app can do a little, but a lot more than the competition. This means you can use your smartphone as a key for the vehicle, honk, pre-condition the vehicle and much more. Unfortunately, the whole thing works very slowly, the vehicle only accepts some inputs after 15-30 seconds, and things like the charging status are often only updated after several refresh attempts.

For example, it would have been nice to be able to set a timer for preconditioning.

Download QR-Code

fordpass

Developer: Ford Motor Co.

Price: Free of charge

Download QR-Code

‎FordPass™

Developer: Ford Motor Co.

Price: Free of charge

The app also offers these additional functions:

• Open/close all windows
• Open Frunk
• Open/close trunk
• Route planning including charging stations – this can then be forwarded to the navigation system
• current vehicle location
• Get total mileage
• Retrieve current charging status/range
• View charging history
• Show tire pressure
• View service data

Performance – 487 horsepower

Picture: TechnikNews

On paper, the GT pony offers a 100 kWh battery (88 kWh of which can be used) with all-wheel drive, which corresponds to the “Battery Extended Range”. There is no larger or smaller battery. According to the manufacturer, this means a range of 490 kilometers (WLTP), an acceleration of 4,4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and an output of 487 hp (or 358 kW) with a torque of 860 Nm.

The whole thing doesn't just sound good on paper. In everyday life, the Mach-E GT is very pleasant and unobtrusive to drive, and its full strength comes into its own when you step harder on the accelerator pedal. But then things move forward rapidly. However, after reaching 130 km/h, it no longer delivers the same performance. Drivers in Austria are unlikely to reach the top speed of 210 km/h. We'll clarify in a moment how driving speed affects consumption.

However, the Mustang is a bit tricky when accelerating due to the outside and battery temperatures. We weren't always able to maintain this performance or only achieve it after a few kilometers of driving. In the test, the Mach-E GT fluctuated between 0 seconds and 100 seconds at 4,4-6,5 km/h, always in spirited mode. To prevent this from happening, the SUV can be preconditioned using the app or the control element before driving.

The tires of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT also often go flat when you step on the accelerator when starting from 0, regardless of the driving mode. Some people might not like it at all, while some people will enjoy it - even if not the tires.

Picture: TechnikNews

Driving modes

In addition, the driving modes can also be changed in the infotainment system. There is a choice of a total of three drive modes for the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT:

• Tame: In this mode, the steering is set to be lighter while the throttle response is delayed. This makes driving more comfortable and less sporty, even if it still accelerates properly when you press the pedal fully.
• activated: The balanced mode for daily journeys. The steering is moderately heavy, the performance is in the middle range and only slightly delayed.
• Spirited: This setting gets the full performance out of the pony. The speed is picked up via the pedal immediately, the steering is tighter and a little “heavier” and the stability control is not as sensitive.
• Spirited Plus: For racetracks. All assistance systems are switched off and driving is completely handed over to the driver, without any intervention from the vehicle.

Range & consumption – too little or too much

Picture: TechnikNews

According to WLTP, the combined electricity consumption should be 21,2 kWh/100 km. During a test drive of over 2.000 kilometers in Austrian conditions (mix of motorway, country road, town; 130 km/h, 100 km/h or 50 km/h) we were even able to slightly beat this average value with 21 kWh/100 km, which is energy saving Bangs by no means. During somewhat sporty driving or short journeys, we achieved values ​​of up to 26 kWh/100 km, which corresponds to a “real” range of 340 to 420 kilometers. That's not just mathematically little - you're actually often stuck at the charging station.

The competition has an average consumption of around 16 kWh per 100 kilometers, with even more power and the same size battery. The consumption is too much and the range is too little - it is Ford's turn to improve these circumstances.

Charging – OK

Recharging takes place with an output of up to 150 kW, the charging time from 10 to 80 ProThe average time is around 50 minutes. Until you reach 80 ProIt progresses relatively quickly at around 80 kW, which then drops to a weak 10 to 20 kW. Complete charging from 0 to 100 Prozent took just under 2 hours and 15 minutes review. There is also potential here, such as generally higher charging power or maintaining the peak even at higher levels Procentral areas - because with 150 kW you can only reach almost 10 Procently loaded. What is practical, however, is that you can easily find out about these things in the Ford app. The remaining time until full charge can be easily viewed there.

What is incomprehensible is that there is no display of the current charging speed in the vehicle itself. Only the current charge level and duration of charging up to 80 are displayed Procent, or after that the duration up to 100 Procent full charge stated. There is also no loading limit of, for example, 80 or 90 Procentrally configured to conserve the battery. Take heart, Ford – feel free to show more details while charging. What should be highlighted positively, however, is that this “limit” is also displayed by the navigation system when a charging stop is planned. So to speak, the duration and the minimum charge level required until you can continue driving.

The charging port, which opens too easily, is also unfortunate: on two trips on the motorway, it suddenly opened during two trips. Other users also report this fact in forums.

Comparison to the combustion engine Mustang (Mach-1)

Luckily, I also had the opportunity to drive the “original,” combustion engine Mustang for this review. This is particularly “important” because the Mustang brand has always stood for performance, noise and racing car feeling. If you are not familiar with the other models, this part will probably seem superfluous. A detailed test report on the Ford Mustang Mach-1 will follow in a few weeks TechnikNews.

Above I have already made a nod to the Mach-1 in a few places. Finally, it can be emphasized here that this Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and the Mach-1 don't really share many similarities - except for the performance. The Stromer here doesn't make any noise, isn't nearly as noticeable, doesn't feel like a racing car - yes, it's just a different vehicle. This is also clear when it comes to the type of vehicle: SUV vs. sedan.

Ford currently offers both models, although it is likely that the electric version will be offered to the general public. Anyone who likes driving fun will be happy with both the electric and the combustion engine Mustang. In terms of acceleration and performance, the Mach-E has absolutely nothing to do with the Mach-1. However, if you like the roar of the engine, the brilliant start sound and the feeling of being pushed forward at high speeds, you will miss this with the Mach-E GT. And yes, the consumption of both vehicles is not low.

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