INTRODUCTION
Channeling Ford’s retro muscle car and taking it into the electric era, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is a crossover EV with seating for five passengers and a driving range of up to 305 miles in the top configuration.
After debuting last year, the Mach-E sees some minor tweaks for 2022. The California Route 1 model adds a heated steering wheel and front seats, plus it’s newly available with a two-motor all-wheel-drive system. The GT Performance Edition adds a black roof, and the Premium trim level can be had with an Ice White package that, you guessed it, drapes the vehicle in white.
The Mach-E has Mustang-ish looks and personality, plus electric motors that give it blistering performance thanks to its instantaneous power. A low center of gravity provides capable handling, too. There’s more Mustang DNA here than you might expect.
Even by EV standards, the Mustang Mach-E is an efficient choice with its 3.4 miles-per-kwh rating and a range between 211 and 305 miles. Hooked up to a Level 2 charger ? the type most drivers are likely to have installed in their garages ? the Extended Range version can add 21 miles per hour.
Standard safety tech includes a bevy of features including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and start, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, automatic rear braking, and automatic high beams. Ford’s Bluecruise hands-off system is optional, as is a surround-view camera system.
LINEUP
The Mach-E is an unconventional vehicle with a lineup to match. Its Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT trim levels start at about $45,000 and can climb upward of $67,000 with optional extras.
The base Select has 18-inch alloy wheels, a 15.5-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster display, navigation, and synthetic leather seats. The Premium upsizes the wheels to 19 inches and adds Bluecruise, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, and a B&O audio system for a little over $50,000. An extended-range battery is available.
The California Route 1 includes the long-range battery plus special appearance trim, some of which contributes to its longer range.
The GT surges past $61,000, which buys upsized brakes and wheels, plus the option to add the Performance Edition package that includes a more torque-heavy electric motor paired with summer tires.
WALKAROUND
The idea of a Mustang crossover SUV may seem an odd one, but the Mach-E does a great job honoring the brand’s past. Even its profile ? a long hood with short front and rear overhangs paired with a sloping roofline ? is muscular, but details such as fender flares, sequential taillights, and, of course, plenty of galloping horses serve as proper tie-ins.
Ford offers a bunch of trim and wheel options, so be sure to spend some time figuring out what suits your style.
INTERIOR
Inside, the Mach-E is way less Mustang and way more tech-heavy. The vertical 15.5-inch touchscreen absorbs many controls, and it works well with the 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
Standard synthetic leather can be upgraded with suede-like inserts.
The standard eight-way power-adjustable driver seat offers good bolstering plus head and leg room for taller passengers. Even with the sloping roofline, rear-seat riders have good space, too.
Cargo space behind the 60/40-split folding rear seat stands at an SUV-like 29.7 cubic feet, which can grow to nearly 60 cubes with the rear seat folded down. The front hood opens to reveal nearly five more cubic feet of space, which can double as a cooler.
DRIVING IMPRESSION
Power ratings for the Mustang Mach-E range from 266 to 480 hp, but no version is slow. Even the lowest-output model vaults to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while the fastest models can challenge supercars with their 3.5-second zip.
Dual-motor versions have all-wheel drive, making them suitable for use in slippery terrain or, with winter tires, in snow.
Various drive modes with whimsical names ? Whisper to Unbridled ? change powertrain behavior. One setting even pipes in fake V-8 engine noise, giving the Mach-E a more traditional Mustang aural experience.
The low-slung crossover has most of its weight down low, which translates to excellent handling. It’s nimble and fun to drive, especially in GT form thanks to its upsized brakes. The Performance Edition’s magnetic dampers and sticky summer tires go even farther, providing a smidge less body lean, an impressive ride, and astounding grip.
SUMMARY
Linking past and present, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is a fun, flavorful take on all-electric motoring ? and it’s even a practical choice thanks to its crossover shape.
