At first glance, it looks like a Mustang with the iconic three-bar taillights and Mustang badging…but wait. Maybe the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E doesn’t look familiar. One of the first things you’ll notice when seeing a Mach-E on the road is the bodystyle. Unlike Mustang coupes of the past, the EV comes to us wrapped into a compact SUV bodystyle. As the first EV to don the Mustang badging, it’s a revolutionary example of what’s possible when an automotive brand embraces the future and forges ahead into the great unknown.
As the automotive industry darts towards the end of oil dependency, brands can either shape up or ship out. Instability in gas prices, concerns for environmental impact, and increasing regulatory measures are all pushing us towards a future of EVs in everybody’s driveway, and Ford is leading the way with the Mach-E. As public fast charging stations continue to become available and cities add infrastructure to support an all-electric fleet, more and more customers will move towards EVs and away from their gas-guzzling counterparts.
How Fast Is It?
One of the key design elements of creating an electric Mustang is making sure it lives up to the name’s reputation. The Mustang has a long history of being muscle car royalty, starring in movies about racing and becoming a vehicle that collectors worship, spending thousands of dollars refurbishing and showing off their old school models. Ford needed to pass the torch by designing an EV fast enough to raise the pulse of Mustang loyalists.
Thankfully, Ford did its homework. The 2023 Mustang Mach-E is not just fast; it is downright thrilling. The GT Performance Edition delivers an exciting 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque, which is significantly more power than you will find under the hood of the V8-powered Mustang Mach 1. That equates to a 0-60 mph time of only 3.5 seconds. It takes less time to get to 60 mph than it does to say, “2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition.”
It’s understandable that many people are hesitant when it comes to all-electric cars because of what’s been dubbed “Range Anxiety.” Ford addresses this in the Mach-E by providing two battery options: a 70 kWh battery or an extended range 91 kWh pack. Both battery packs can be paired with either a traditional Mustang rear-wheel drive setup or an electric all-wheel drive system. You can enjoy an EPA estimated range of up to 247 miles with the standard battery, giving you plenty of time and distance between charges. If that still doesn’t soothe your anxiety, the Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 with the extended range battery and rear-wheel drive serves up 314 miles of range.
Ford puts an emphasis on ease of use when it comes to charging. The Mach-E comes with a CCS fast charging port for use at any public charging station. You use a standard 120-volt outlet for at-home overnight charging or wire up a 240-volt outlet for a Ford Level 2 home charging station. The Level 2 option provides an average of 20 miles of range for every hour of charging, allowing you to recharge the battery overnight. Once you get over the unfamiliarity of using one of these charging ports for the first time, you’ll see how simple it is to operate. Going to the gas station will soon become obsolete, saving you time and money.
In all its trim levels, the Mach-E is a delight to drive. The battery positioning in the floor contributes to the low center of gravity, helping with handling and the overall feel while you’re behind the wheel. You may find yourself taking the longer, scenic route home just to squeeze in a few more minutes of being behind the wheel. The GT Performance Edition features adaptive suspension and a sportier dynamic, but each trim has unique driving modes to make the most of every commute. Drive in Whisper Mode for long freeway commutes, Engage Mode for the sharpest acceleration, or Unbridled Mode to get the most out of the electric motors. Stuck in traffic? The Mach-E shares the one-pedal driving technology found in most of today’s EVs. When you set the brake energy regeneration to the maximum, your Mustang’s movement can be controlled by using just the throttle, as lifting off completely will quickly slow you down without needing to touch the brakes. You’ll enjoy the quiet operation of the electric motors and the super-smooth ride quality.
Stylish From Every Angle
While the Mustang Mach-E is strikingly different from its gasoline-powered counterparts, it’s undeniably a sleek, eye-catching design. The 2023 model sees the addition of beautiful new exterior color options, including Carbonized Gray Metallic and Vapor Blue Metallic. For 2023, Ford also replaced the black roof on the GT and GT Performance Edition in favor of a standard fixed glass panoramic sunroof. Add the new Nite Pony Package to the Premium trim, and you will enjoy high-gloss black exterior elements and gloss-black 19-inch wheels, available with any exterior paint color. There is also a GT version of the Nite Pony that includes black GT badging and 20-inch gloss-black wheels. There are plenty of available extras to spruce up the exterior, like an added lip spoiler, LED brake lights, deep tinted glass, and a black grille.
The interior of the 2023 Mach-E is just as attention-grabbing as its exterior. There are plenty of high-tech features and luxurious materials all throughout the cabin. Enjoy all your favorite music, audiobooks, and podcasts with crystal clear sound from the available Bang & Olufsen sound system. Anyone regularly traveling with belongings such as groceries, shopping bags, luggage, sporting equipment, or pets will gush over the user-friendly power liftgate. Speaking of space, the Mach-E has 29.7 cu.ft. of cargo room behind the rear seats, and you can fold the back row down to extend it to 59.7 cu.ft. There is even a 4.7 cu.ft. “frunk” under the hood where the engine would be in a gasoline vehicle.
The dashboard is home to a large, 15.5-inch vertically mounted touchscreen infotainment center you can pair with any of your electronic devices and a wireless charging station. You can customize the infotainment system with up to three separate profiles. You’ll enjoy interior lighting, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a floating flip-up armrest on the center console. The interior is made of durable materials that are comfortable for long stretches of time and easy to clean and care for when needed.
The New Mustang
While some Mustang enthusiasts will take longer to convert to the new normal, Ford has irrefutably made great strides in bringing its lineup into the future. You may start to notice more and more electric Mustangs on the road as people begin to discover all of the car’s benefits. As far as trims go, the 2023 selection of the Ford Mustang Mach-E featuring the Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT allows customers to customize this compact SUV to their exact preferences. There is no telling what the automotive landscape will look like in a few years, but it’s safe to say that it will likely move towards electric motors in every major segment. There are still a limited number of electric SUVs available, but this segment is sure to blossom due to the SUV’s popularity and trailblazers like the 2023 Mustang Mach-E.
