2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Voicing the idea that an all-electric compact SUV would be labeled as a Ford Mustang might once have gotten you a good chuckle. But laugh no more as Ford moves toward a full lineup of electric trucks and utility vehicles. Its first all-electric SUV is the Mustang Mach-E, which takes the pony car name and morphs it from V8 muscle car to family EV. While that’s a dramatic change in character, the automaker has been careful to preserve this new Mustang’s performance DNA.

After debuting last year, not much has changed from 2021 for the Mach-E, although the Mustang’s two battery options (standard range and extended range) have both gotten a small boost. There’s now a White Edition Appearance Package along with three new paint colors. The trim levels remain: a base Select, Premium, California Route 1 and performance-level GT. 

The Mach-E lines up with Tesla’s Model Y SUV closely along most measures and looks far sleeker, but it does fall behind in efficiency. When it comes to performance, the GT and Performance editions blast to 3.5 second zero-to-60 mph times, but even in the lower trims the Mach-E keeps up with the Model Y Long Range with 4.8 to 5.2 seconds from standstill. The Genesis GV60 SUV matches the slower times. Other competing electric SUVs include the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Jaguar I-Pace, which are similarly sporty in intent.

The base Select starts at $43,895 and delivers 247 miles of range. Dual-motor AWD is optional and powers Select to 5.2 seconds for zero-to-60 mph time. Premium starts at $48,775 with range rated at 303 miles and 4.8 seconds to 60 mph time. California Route 1 models start at $52,450 and offer up to 314 miles of range and a 4.8-seconds. GT starts at $61,995 with a 3.8 second zero-to-60 mph time and 270-mile range. GT Performance Editions offer top performance with a blistering 3.5 second zero-to-60 mph time.

Space and comfort are plentiful in the redesigned Mustang. In its compact SUV form there’s plenty of room front and back and the trunk and frunk spaces are compelling features, only falling slightly behind Tesla’s comparable SUV. Style-wise, the Mustang brings its good looks from its muscle car sibling and claims its own modern electric characteristics in a bigger body.

With a generous standard safety package, the base model becomes a good value even if its range is low. If initial Mach-E sales numbers are a harbinger for Ford’s EV plans, then the company is headed in the right direction. In 2021 Ford sold 27,140 Mach-Es, and in fact, thus far this year, the Mach-E is the best-selling non-Tesla EV on the market. Rest assured, if you can find one, the 2022 Mach-E is a safe and stylish CUV, to say nothing of being an absolute blast to drive.

Performance: 14/15

No matter the Mach-E trim level you buy, the drill is simple: Go to “Drive Modes” on the 15.5-inch center touchscreen and choose your preferred performance mode. “Engage” is just that, an engaging mode that offers good acceleration and preserves battery power. “Whisper” steps up the power release to allow for ease when passing or entering a highway on-ramp.

“Unbridled” mode is when you want to crush all pretender performance cars with the GT’s tire-ruining 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque. “Unbridled Extend” is a GT trim exclusive that enables full power over a longer period of time, and modifies traction and stability control parameters. You can add propulsion sound to goose up an otherwise quiet performance run via a selection under “Drive Mode” settings. 

Even though the Mach-E is marketed as a crossover ute, forget about taking it off-road with performance tires and only 5.7 inches of ground clearance. This is a performer meant for pounding the pavement, just like the old-fashioned Mustang. On-road manners are stellar—suitable for comfort or performance driving on your favorite back road. The adjustable one-pedal driving setting is perfectly dialed in, relegating the stop pedal to occasional use only.

Range, Energy Use & Charging: 13/15

The California Route 1 trim gives the best range at 314 miles, but with more performance and on smaller battery models it drops all the way to 247 miles. Tesla’s Model Y also falls along those numbers, while the Genesis matches more closely to the lower range.

The Mustang Mach-E with AWD and extended battery pack is EPA rated at 90 combined MPGe. The EPA figures are based on the calculation that one gallon of gasoline equals 33.7 kWh, with the Mach-E consuming 37 kWh per 100 miles. That level of efficiency is below many Tesla offerings, including the Model Y at 125 MPGe, but compares equally to the luxe Genesis GV60 SUV.

All Mach-Es come standard with Ford’s Mobile Charger, compatible with 120V and 240V outlets. Ford’s 240-volt Connected Charge Station, a $799 option, can provide 28 miles per charging hour, with a 0% to 100% charge time in 10.9 hours.

New Mach-E owners receive 250 kWh of complimentary fast charging at Electrify America public charging stations. DC fast charging can juice the Mach-E to 59 miles of range in about 10 minutes, and from a 10% to 80% charge in about 45 minutes. Ford has also partnered with so-called “roaming companies” to provide charging through its BlueOval Charge Network. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 13/15

The 2022 Mach-E is rated a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with the only “marginal” score given to headlights on the California Route 1 trim. The  Mach-E has has only been side and rollover crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with five-star ratings on the RWD and AWD versions. IIHS crash tests are seen as more rigorous than NHTSA tests, so expect the Mach-E to do well overall from NHTSA.

Mach-E comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot 2.0, which features pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking; blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert; lane-keep system; post-collision braking; intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering assist; speed sign recognition; evasive steering assist; intersection assist and more. 

Ford is updating more Mach-Es with BlueCruise software to enable hands-free driving on select U.S. and Canada highways, similar to General Motors’ Super Cruise system.

Comfort & Room: 13/15

Mach-E’s interior is roomy front and rear. A very tall 6-foot-9 human can drive the car comfortably (we did it). At that height, the back seat is a non-starter but still seems well suited for those well over six-feet, given the ample rear headroom at up to 39.3 inches. That’s about the same compared to the five-seater Model Y. Up front the legroom spreads out to 43.3 inches, more than Tesla’s 41.8 inches or the Genesis’ 42.3.

The full panoramic glass sunroof lends an airiness to the interior (and over an inch of headroom compared to the sunroof-less base model), but beware on sunny days as the glass has a special treatment so you’re not exposed to full sunlight, but there is no sunshade to control the light nor resultant heat a hot day will bring. 

Some interior materials bring to mind a burlap sack, and the start/stop button is hard to reach wedged between the driver and center screen clusters.

Infotainment: 14/15

Ford has fine-tuned its SYNC telematics system so it is now more intuitive, and offers over-the-air software updates. SYNC 4A features a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, cloud-based connectivity, enhanced voice recognition and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Many functions are buried in the big touchscreen, which isn’t ideal, but most competitors are similarly screen-heavy and at least Ford’s system is easy to navigate.

A 10-inch driver’s screen displays pertinent speed, range, battery percentage, one-pedal driving mode and more. From the corny-but-cute department, the speedometer reading has static “Ground Speed” lettering below the mph reading lest you think you are on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

All Mach-E’s are five-door. The rear seats fold flat giving the E good cargo carrying capacity at 59.7 cubic-feet from its 29.7 cubes with seats up. The 4.7 cubic-feet of front trunk, or “frunk,” also has useful storage space, provided you remove the divider that sections the frunk off into smaller storage areas, making duffel or roller bag storage impossible.

Compared to similarly-sized EVs, the Mach-E is only tighter than the Model Y, which goes up to 76.2 cubic-feet of cargo space. The smaller XC40 Recharge lags behind with only 46.9 cubes with the seats down, while the (also 10 inches shorter) GV60 offers an almost comparable 54.7 cubic-feet with its seats down, and the Jaguar I-Pace is close behind with 54.1.

Style & Design: 10/10

The Mach-E will look great to mostly all who lay eyes on it. The exception is the drivers around you who doubted Mach-E’s performance attributes and who will subsequently see it only from the rear. 

Up front, a wide, body-colored panel with a lighted Pony logo sits where a normal grille would be on an internal combustion Mustang. Below the panel, grille shutters open and close depending on the cooling and aerodynamic demands placed on the vehicle. 

Along the sides, you’ll immediately notice there are no door handles. Instead the “E-Latch” system requires you to push a button and there is a small, aero-correct assist handle to help you swing the door open. Rear doors have no handle. Instead, you pull on the inside of the rear door after it pops open using the solenoid button. Ford has a rubber pad mounted on the backside of the door where you naturally grip to open it. 

Classic Mustang vertical repeater tail lamps adorn the rear. This is a very attractive vehicle, and even more so when compared to some of the odd designs in this class.

Is the Mustang Mach-E Worth it? Which Mach-E is the Best Value?

Yes, the 2022 Mustang Mach-E is worth it, and selecting which trim to buy comes down to how much performance you seek, and what range capacity is suitable for your personal needs. But the mid-level Premium trim ($48,775) packs in over 300-mile range and more, well, premium features like heated seats and the glass roof for about $5,000 more than the base version.

But don’t expect a Mach-E delivery anytime soon. Browse the Ford website to order the EV, and you will find this statement for all trim levels: “Due to high demand, the current model year is no longer available for retail order. Limited inventory may be available at selected dealers.”

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E?

The Mustang Mach-E should cost a little less to insure than most of its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium starting at $2,244 and hitting over $2,600 for top trims, though this averages all 50 states. Based on our research it should align with other similar EVs. A Tesla Model Y owner might pay $3,100 per year, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge is about $2,700 and the new Genesis GV60 is $2,800. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.