2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Review: Range and performance improvements make it even better
The Ford Mustang Mach-E was one of the first battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to be introduced by major automakers. Now, it's old enough and needs a mid-term update.
In 2024, Ford has upgraded this electric SUV to better compete with some new and old competitors. This is not the first time that it has been upgraded. Along the way, Ford has been gradually improving certain aspects of the car, most of which have been done over-the-air through the Mustang Mach-E's infotainment system.
The new 2024 Mustang Mach-E is equipped with more standard features and charges faster, up to 20% faster on some models. They also have a longer all-electric range.
The car tested here is a standard range battery, rear-wheel drive version ($48,990 for destinations with premium trim) that can travel 250 miles on a full charge, up from 230 miles previously.
The range-extended Mustang Mach-E and Mustang Mach-E GT have an increased range of 20 miles and 10 miles, respectively.
The Mustang Mach-E GT will also have more torque when selected for the performance upgrade, helping it accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour (mph) in 3.3 seconds, faster than the electric Porsche Macan.
For some buyers, a key difference may be that 2024 cars are not eligible for federal tax incentives when purchased outright. Still, renters can get a $7,500 discount.
With or without a discount, its base price is lower than before. The starting price of the Mustang Mach-E is now $42,995, which is not far from the competition. For example, the Volkswagen ID.4 is priced at $38,995 and has a range of 206 miles, while the Nissan Ariya is priced at $39,590 and has a range of 205 miles. The best-selling Tesla Model Y costs $44,630 and has a range of 260 miles.
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E rear view. The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E is available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Ford Motor Company
Side view of the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Ford Motor Company
While range is important to many United States buyers, it's just one piece of the EV puzzle. In a week, the Mach-E traveled 250 miles, and when attending some family activities, it was using more than average, and after seven days, the battery still had about 90 miles in mixed driving conditions (urban, highway and suburban).
With a home charger (which most BEV buyers have), this daily driving use is no longer a problem. If not, a little more planning is needed.
Even this test car, the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E, the least powerful, accelerates quickly on the road. It only produces 264 horsepower (hp) but produces 387 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque at any speed, allowing it to get off the ground in a short period of time.
The start is fast, but torque is also useful when overtaking or maneuvering on the highway. The Mach-E has three driving modes, Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, corresponding to the Eco, Normal, and Sport settings. These modes alter the steering feel and vehicle sound. On models equipped with adaptive shock absorbers, the softness of the suspension also changes.
The brakes don't change depending on the driving mode, and although they aren't often needed due to the multiple levels of regenerative braking and one-pedal driving, ideally they should feel firm and progressive.
In fact, the Mustang Mach-E's brake pedal sank a bit more than it was comfortable in frightening traffic conditions, and even after a week of driving, I never got used to that feeling. While this kind of coasting isn't uncommon for an electric car, Ford should do better. Other automakers have already done it.
Like all battery electric vehicles, the Mustang Mach-E has a lower body weight, so it feels more stable than a gasoline-powered car of its size. The Mustang Mach-E can pass through most potholes smoothly, while the rest can be easily navigated. Even on dirt roads, bumps are controlled. Moreover, the soundproof cockpit blocks out all noise and harsh sounds.
The cabin is centered around the Mach-E's portrait touchscreen infotainment system with an integrated physical volume knob. The screen contains almost all functions, including the climate. Whether you're running Apple CarPlay or anything else, climate control takes a permanent place on the screen (along with navigation and more recently used Ford features). With app mirroring, the large screen can display more icons than Apple's usual eight icons, which also adds to the convenience.
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E interior. The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E features a portrait touchscreen infotainment display. Ford Motor Company
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E interior. The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E can accommodate five passengers. Ford Motor Company
Drivers can see a smaller digital driving cluster behind the wheel with speed, mileage, and other information.
The seats are wide and soft and the height adjustment is well-adjusted, but there are no side supports in the Mach-E Premium RWD trim level. The Mustang Mach-E GT and Rally versions feature sportier seats that provide more support for high-speed cornering.
Instead of using soft plastic and leather, the dashboard is made of nylon fabric that looks fresh and modern. The rear seats are wide, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo, and can be folded up if necessary. Seat belts are also easy to use for young children.
This truck is one cubic foot smaller than the 29 cubic feet of the Tesla Model Y. With the rear seats folded, the Mustang has about 60 cubic feet of trunk space, which is more than expected because of the rear roof sloping. Like most electric vehicles, the Mach-E also has a front storage area, which has 4.7 cubic feet, which is large enough to accommodate a medium-sized duffle bag or cooler.
The Ford CoPilot 360 brand driver assistance and safety technology package is standard on the Mustang Mach-E and includes lane keeping, steering assist, blind spot indicator, rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control.
Side view of the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E is available in both standard and extended range versions. Ford Motor Company
The test vehicle offered by Ford also includes the Blue Cruise, Ford's hands-free, head-up advanced driver assistance system that works well. Like General Motors' Super Cruise, it only works with pre-mapped pavements, but in the United States, those pavements have now grown to hundreds of thousands of miles
The system does an excellent job of keeping the center of the lane and keeping a close enough distance from the vehicle in front to prevent the vehicle from squeezing in. As with Super Cruise, the Ford system beeps and flashes when the driver needs to take over again. It's an easy-to-use system if you're willing to trust it.
The inexpensive, rear-wheel-drive, 250-mile Ford Mustang Mach-E is the perfect zero-emission week-long vehicle, and mileage is never an issue, because like most United States, the car travels about 30 miles a day. It feels faster than most vehicles on the road, even at lower power levels, and thanks to the good weight distribution, it handles better than rival gas-powered cars, as with all electric vehicles.
Overall, Ford is better value for money than competitors Nissan or Volkswagen, but the Model Y is very popular and is one of the best-selling electric cars today. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's better. Now that Tesla's Supercharger network is open to Ford customers (with adapters), the competition has begun.