2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Not long ago, the thought of Ford applying Mustang styling cues to a five-door crossover SUV shocked the faithful, let alone an electric car. Now, it appears to have been a smart move. And while the Mustang Mach-E’s comparatively long, narrow, and tall dimensions can look odd wearing galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, bold rear fender haunches, and tri-bar taillights, the electric SUV might not be nearly as popular were it not visually tied to the legendary pony car.

Ford has built over 150,000 Mustang Mach-E’s since the EV debuted for the 2021 model year, and it has shipped them to customers worldwide. In the U.S. market, the Mach-E comes in Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT trim levels and ranges in price from $45,995 to $63,995, plus a destination charge of $1,800. As we write this review, the Mach-E is eligible for the $7,500 federal income tax credit and for additional state rebates and local incentives that can effectively shave nearly $10,000 off the price.

Our test vehicle arrived in GT spec with extra-cost Cyber Orange paint and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $66,590, including the destination charge. It did not have the new-for-2023 Nite Pony appearance package, which requires Premium trim or the GT model’s optional Performance Edition package.

The Mustang Mach-E GT exudes style, quality, and technology and easily competes with any EV in the same price class regardless of brand, from the Volkswagen ID.4 to the Tesla Model Y. With GT trim, the car gets a more distinctive look with revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel that resembles a traditional grille. Appropriately, it looks more aggressive than other versions of the Mach-E.

Inside, the test vehicle looked and felt like a luxury car. Ford wraps artificial leather and synthetic suede around the sport-bolstered seats, decorating them with copper stitching and piping. Fabric on the classic dual-cowl dashboard, door panels, and speaker grilles adds a high-end look to the cabin, and Ford pairs metallic and gloss-black trim with two rectangular display screens to convey a sporty, upscale, high-tech ambiance.

The throughline here is substance. From the design and details to the quality and materials, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT deftly blends the past, the present, and the future in an undeniably appealing vehicle.

Across the Mustang Mach-E lineup, you can choose between standard-range and extended-range battery packs and single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) electric drive systems. Power and efficiency ratings vary depending on the configuration, but they span from 266 to 480 horsepower, 317 to 634 pound-feet of torque, and 224 to 312 miles of driving range.

The Mach-E GT has an extended-range battery and AWD drivetrain layout with a more powerful front electric motor than you’ll find in other versions of the vehicle. Output measures 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, and Ford claims the GT scoots to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The official EPA estimate for the driving range is 270 miles.

If you choose the GT Performance Edition package, the torque figure rises to 634 lb-ft while the range declines to 260 miles. Ford says acceleration to 60 mph takes 3.5 seconds, and this upgrade also equips the EV with an adaptive damping suspension, larger front brakes, and summer performance tires.

Like other Mustang Mach-E models, the GT features Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes modifying the EV’s behavior, responsiveness, and synthetic soundtrack. In addition, the GT gets an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode that Ford claims is for use on a racetrack. One-pedal driving is also available, allowing you to operate the Mach-E by simply pressing the accelerator to go and releasing it to stop.

We evaluated the Mach-E GT in Engage mode with the one-pedal driving feature turned off. As you might expect, the EV is undeniably fast, and while the dual-motor system powers all four wheels, it is wise to apply acceleration judiciously until you acclimate to how the Mach-E responds to your inputs.

In Engage mode, the steering isn’t particularly engaging, lacking the sharp response, crisp accuracy, and communicative feel you might expect from a performance-oriented vehicle. Then again, it’s easy to forget this is a crossover SUV and not a typical car because the overall driving dynamics are impressive.

In addition, the brakes feel good underfoot and offer consistent, fade-free bite. But, evidently, you can only turn the one-pedal drive system on or off because we did not discover a way to adjust the system’s regenerative sensitivity.

The ride quality is the least satisfying thing about driving the Mustang Mach-E GT. This Mustang has firm suspension settings and a choppy ride, but Ford does a great job of controlling excessive body motions compared to some EV models. Still, we’re betting the most satisfying version of the Mach-E GT has the Performance Edition package, which installs an adaptive damping suspension, stickier tires, and larger front brakes.

Overall, though, regardless of the situation, the Mustang Mach-E GT is exciting to drive. In addition, during our test drive, the trip computer said we traveled 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour of energy, translating to 37 kWh per 100 miles of driving. The official EPA estimate is 40 kWh/100 mi. So, in our experience, the Mach-E GT was more efficient than expected.

Thanks to its crossover SUV configuration, the Mach-E is a Mustang that’s just as much about function as form. It offers seating for up to five people and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including its sizable front trunk (frunk).

Up front, the Mustang Mach-E GT has eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, making it easy for the driver and front passenger to find a comfortable and supportive position. Ford wraps them in black ActiveX artificial leather with black Miko synthetic suede inserts in the standard GT. If you upgrade with the Performance Edition package, the Mach-E gets performance seats with gray ActiveX and Miko upholstery in a unique pattern.

A stylish tiered center console separates the front seats and includes a mix of covered and open storage areas. A lower storage tray lives beneath the bridge connecting the console to the dashboard. You should find plenty of space in which to stash your things.

Unlike with a gas-fueled Mustang coupe or convertible, you can comfortably carry rear-seat passengers. With rear doors that open wide and a snug but supportive back seat, you can bring up to three kids or two additional adults along for the ride. And now that the Mach-E GT has a standard panoramic glass roof, they’ll enjoy an airy environment with a good view out.

Behind the back seat, the Mustang Mach-E offers 29.7 cu-ft of cargo space under a large liftgate. Fold the rear seats down, and the cargo hold can carry up to 59.7 cu-ft of whatever you can squeeze into the EV. Under the hood, another cargo area measuring 4.7 cu-ft is larger than what you’ll find in many EVs. Plus, the Mach-E’s frunk is designed to get dirty and includes a drain plug for when you clean it out.

Like a Tesla, the Mustang Mach-E has a giant touchscreen awkwardly affixed to its dashboard. Mounted in portrait (vertical) orientation, the screen measures 15.5 inches from corner to corner and lacks physical controls aside from an artfully integrated stereo power and volume knob. It runs on Ford’s most modern Sync 4A infotainment platform and stays current through over-the-air software updates.

While the infotainment screen poorly integrates with the Mustang Mach-E’s interior design, it isn’t lacking in features. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging. Some of these features require a paid subscription following a complimentary trial period.

In addition to these functions, Sync 4A learns your habits and can predictively suggest destinations and showcase recently used apps. The touchscreen also provides access to everything from the dual-zone automatic climate control system and a seemingly unending list of vehicle settings to a comprehensive trip computer showing detailed energy usage data.

As you might imagine, getting lost in such a comprehensive system could be easy. However, Ford has masterfully simplified the user experience and organized the content to eliminate frustration. After hours of driving the Mach-E, I only wished it had a radio tuning knob and a driving mode button offering quick access to other choices. Maybe Ford could add a red Unbridled button on the GT’s steering wheel.

Sync 4A supports natural voice recognition and successfully parses a long list of conversational commands. The exception was a request for directions to the closest hospital, which pulled veterinary offices into the list of results in addition to hospitals where you might find an emergency room for human beings.

The test vehicle’s Bang & Olufsen premium sound system proved excellent, as we’ve come to expect from components wearing the B&O brand name. Also, every Mach-E has a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display mounted behind the steering wheel. It presents data in a thin strip showing vehicle speed, battery charge, remaining range, and driving assistance system status.

Lastly, the Mach-E has Phone As A Key technology, transforming your smartphone into the vehicle’s key. It allows you to unlock, start, and drive the EV. Then, when you reach your destination, you can relock the Mach-E using your smartphone. We’ve used this same technology in other Ford Motor Company vehicles, and it works even if it comes across as a gimmick that’s hard to trust initially. However, considering the bulky size of the Mach-E’s keyfob, you might be tempted to use it.

Ford reports that its Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology is now standard on all Mach-E models, along with the latest version of its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system.

Ford says in a press release: “Ford Co-Pilot360 Driver Assist Technology is now standard across Mustang Mach-E across the lineup. On Select models, Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving and 360-degree camera are available for a complimentary 90-day trial period for customers to experience the feature before choosing to enable it for a longer duration.” (Editor’s note: the grammatical errors are Ford’s.)

However, Ford’s consumer website says the surround-view camera and BlueCruise are options with Select trim and standard on other Mach-E variants. So, check with your dealership to be clear about availability.

In any case, the BlueCruise in question is version 1.2. For 2023, BlueCruise 1.2 adds several new features to improve its already impressive performance, including a lane-change function, a predictive speed assist function, and the ability to reposition the Mach-E within its lane to give larger vehicles in adjacent lanes more space.

To thoroughly test this technology, we changed our usual Southern California test-driving route to incorporate a typical morning commute into the city from the outermost Los Angeles suburbs. BlueCruise 1.2 proved impressive, but this deeper and more challenging examination of the technology revealed a few critical observations.

First, the Mach-E needs a head-up display. While audible alerts accompany some messages regarding BlueCruise, not all do. For example, when the tech detects an opportunity to change lanes and resume your pre-set travel speed, a message briefly shows on the digital instrumentation. But if you’re not looking there, you won’t see it.

In addition, the digital instrumentation is solely responsible for communicating BlueCruise readiness and active status. You don’t get a separate button on the steering wheel to manually press when conditions for BlueCruise operation are met, and you don’t get a green (or, in Ford’s case, blue) steering wheel light like in a General Motors product equipped with Super Cruise. A head-up display would be helpful to identify at a glance when the system is ready, when it is active, and when conditions are unmet for system operation.

Driving on the southbound 101 freeway from Ventura County into West L.A., the Mach-E’s BlueCruise 1.2 worked exceptionally well. It successfully navigated construction zones with pavement scars and lane shifts, automatically and safely changed lanes to get around slower vehicles, and seemed to give large trucks a wider berth within the travel lane.

However, while winding east across the hills near Calabasas, the system requested that we take control but without an obvious, apparent reason. Then, after rounding a curve in the San Fernando Valley into direct light from the rising sun, BlueCruise urgently demanded that we take control right away. Later, aimed away from the sun and traveling over the notorious Sepulveda Pass on the 405 South, the system gave us a “Ready” status for an extended period without subsequently activating BlueCruise.

Overall, BlueCruise is impressive but also a nuisance because the constant babysitting and second-guessing get old fast. After we exited at Wilshire Boulevard to head west to Pacific Coast Highway and return north along the beach, we never turned BlueCruise on again. However, these comments can apply to any hands-free Level 2 highway-driving assist system. A Level 3 system that does not require driver nannying would likely be more satisfying.

If Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 fails to prevent a collision, it appears this electric SUV provides good crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the SUV top marks in most assessments, and it was a Top Safety Pick for the 2022 calendar year. As this review is written, that accolade is not valid for the 2023 calendar year, but that could change, so check the IIHS website for updates.

Unfortunately, as we write this review, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not finalized crash-test ratings for the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The EV got top five-star ratings for side-impact protection and rollover resistance, but frontal-impact results were unavailable. Check the NHTSA website for updates.

As we write this review, the 2023 Mustang Mach-E remains eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500, plus any state or local rebates and incentives. So, for example, if you live in California, you could get $9,500 in tax credits, rebates, and potentially more, depending on your city and county.

However, the rules change regularly, so it’s essential to go to the source to obtain the latest information. Regarding the Mustang Mach-E’s eligibility for the federal income tax credit, which could change with new rules going into effect on April 18, 2023, visit the Internal Revenue Service’s webpage detailing this information.

If that tax credit remains in place for the entire 2023 model year and you qualify for it, the savings on your annual taxes gives the Mustang Mach-E an advantage against rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, and Toyota bZ4X.

Better yet, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is a world-class electric vehicle providing style, performance, technology, and utility in equal measure. So, while it might qualify for discounts, it already seems worthy of its price before you apply them. And that’s more than half the battle in making any vehicle seem like a value-rich, cost-effective choice to a consumer.