The Ford Mustang traditionally evokes images of a roaring V8 sports coupe, but the all-electric Mach-E challenges that perception. Plenty of people told us the former is the correct perception, but we’re not so sure.
Friends of mine bought a Mach-E GT more than a year ago and absolutely love it, and I’ve got to say, when I first laid eyes on their Velocity Blue EV, I was genuinely surprised by just how sporty and sleek it looked.
Its design has plenty of presence and, from most angles, works extremely well. The only exception is if you look at it front-on, which somehow doesn’t quite have the same visual impact as the rest of the car.
Our Eruption Green test vehicle, on the other hand, gave off a very different character. Rather than looking overtly sporty, the colour gave it a greater sense of exclusivity and a more sophisticated appearance.
Considering this is the entry level Select variant, we found that quite impressive. The 19-inch alloy wheels, finished in a combination of chrome and black, together with the contrasting black roof, further accentuated the more premium feel.
The rear-wheel drive Mach-E Select produces 212kW of power and 525Nm of torque from its single electric motor. With a usable battery capacity of 73kWh, Ford claims a driving range of up to 470km.
Charging times are competitive, with a 7kW AC home charger taking around 11.7 hours, while an 11kW charger reduces that to approximately 7.8 hours. Using a 150kW DC fast charger, the battery can be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent in around 32 minutes.
Out on the road, the Select delivered smooth yet deceptively quick acceleration, although it could do with a little more punch at the top end. Ride quality is generally acceptable for a family SUV. Despite the suspension feeling reasonably firm, it’s a little floaty.
Braking performance is adequate and easy to modulate, suiting the Mach-E’s everyday character. Three drive modes are available on the Select; Whisper, Active, and Untame. It’s a well equipped SUV, that provides a comfortable journey in all driving scenarios.
The cabin gets Black Onyx Sensico artificial leather with Metal Grey stitching, 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats and a driver’s memory function. The pews are supportive, although long trips will start to feel a little less so.
The large 15.5-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system takes a little getting used to, but is intuitive and user friendly. An oversized rotary volume control is a nice touch, and it doubles its use for other functions, including climate control.
The Mach E Select features a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with a subwoofer, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, DAB+/AM/FM radio and cord-free phone charging as standard.
Our vehicle came with four USB ports and a 12V socket, adding to its everyday practicality. Dual-zone climate control, a heat pump, and heated steering wheel further add to a strong feature list.
The driver is provided with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, displaying a wealth of information, including speed, battery charge level, remaining driving range, navigation prompts and the status of various driver-assistance systems.
Glare-free LED projector headlamps are standard, automatically shaping the high-beam pattern to provide strong illumination while reducing glare. The cabin is constantly filled with an abundance of natural light, thanks to the enormous panoramic glass roof.
The lack of a retractable shade is a little disappointing, particularly on brighter or hotter days. Overall though, the cabin is comfortable and spacious, providing adequate legroom and headroom throughout.
Cupholders are provided for all occupants, and there’s a respectable 402-litres of cargo space below the parcel shelf. Drop the second row and that expands to 1420-litres. Backed by a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, it has an impressive list of safety tech.
That includes an outstanding 360-degree surround view monitor, a deployable bonnet, ABS, emergency brake assist, blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert and braking, lane keeping assist and pre-collision assist with AEB.
Intersection assist is standard, along with one-pedal driving capability. Ford Australia backs the Mach E with a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty (providing you service with an authorised dealership).
The high voltage battery is covered for 8-years or 160,000km. Roadside assistance is provided for 12 months, and renewed following each service carried out by Ford, for up to seven years.
The Mustang Mach-E Select is available from $73,296 drive away. You can find out more by visiting the Ford Australia website or talking to your local dealership. To get a good deal on this vehicle, chat to the team at MotorScout.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Ford Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.