What's this new car all about then?
Ford's pure-electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, has been refreshed, nearly five years after its global launch (it was a late-2020 entry) but a mere three after its first appearance in New Zealand.
No, you probably won't pick it at first glance. In the words of programme director for imports into Ford's International Markets Group (IMG, that's us) Iain Jones, "the focus is on real-world gain in the vehicle" rather than too much fancy stuff.
Techy roundup first: models now have a heat-pump, which helps improve battery efficiency/charging as well as cabin comfort.
“There’s [also] been a lot of work done on the thermal-based powertrain control system," says Jones. "It's become a one-size-fits-all strategy protecting the vehicle… it really is a dynamic system that’s suited to a more realistic charging situation, and a lot more potential in normal temperatures for improved charge times.”
The only downside with the new heat pump is the loss of some "frunk" space, which is down from 130 litres to 80. However, it's still suitable as a wet-space with drainage holes; so keep on bringing the party ice for picnics.
No, you won't pick it at first glance. According to Ford, 'the focus is on real-world gain in the vehicle' rather than too much fancy stuff.
Speaking of the cabin, the rotary gear-selector has been dropped in favour of a column-mounted shifter, which is more in line with other EVs and liberates more storage space in the centre console.
The active safety suite has been enhanced with Predictive Speed Assist for the adaptive cruise system, which now keeps you centered in the lane and uses mapping information to moderate speed around motorway exits and open-road curves.
In one sense the Mach-E is in the EV mainstream, because it's a medium-sized SUV. But in another, it's different because of the Mustang name, the look, and the pitch towards enthusiast drivers.
The Kiwi lineup has gone from three Mach-E variants to two. There's an entry-level Select single-motor RWD and the top GT dual-motor AWD.
The Select's LFP battery has gone up ever-so-slightly in capacity from 72kWh usable to 73kWh, with the WLTP range of 470km unchanged. However, there's still been an improvement in efficiency because the new electric motor (now sourced in-house at Ford) makes 212kW/525Nm, well up from the previous model's 198kW/430Nm.
It feels like the entry-level Select RWD has really come into its own with this update.
The GT's NMC battery is unchanged at 91kWh useable, but power has increased to a very impressive/slightly scary 434kW/955Nm (previously 358kW/860Nm). The heat pump, software changes and some extra underbody aero have also resulted in a combination of up to 20% faster charging speed (even though the max charge rate of 150kW is the same) and a 5% increase in range, to 515km.
The Select has redesigned suspension links, dampers and sway bars, intended to make it more comfortable for everyday driving, but without giving up higher-speed handling precision. The GT's MagneRide adaptive suspension is carried over.
There are a few visual tweaks to let the neighbours know you're got the new one. All models have new alloy wheel designs (19-inch for the Select, 20in for the GT) and the GT has a redesigned honeycomb-style grille.
So what's missing? The previous lineup included a Premium long-range AWD in the middle. Australia still gets a Premium, albeit RWD this time, but Ford NZ has decided to pass on that one.
There are some pretty striking new colours, including Velocity Blue, Molten Magenta (a pinkish-red hue), Grabber Yellow and Eruption Green.
And yes, you read that headline right. Ford is calling this the "2025" Mustang Mach-E rather than the usual American way of skipping ahead a year and calling it a 2026. Because it's being produced from 2025, which does kinda make sense... even though we're very close to the end of the year.
How much is it?
The Select opens at $74,990, while the GT is $116,990. Comparing those prices to what went before is futile because, like most other brands selling mainstream EVs, Ford was overstocked following the demise of the Clean Car Discount and had to sell the last of the previous model at some, shall we say, very attractive prices.
Ford NZ ran out of the previous Mach-E a couple of months ago. The final ones were sold via an extended test-drive programme, where a new car was registered (making it a used-car, conveniently) and offered to prospective buyers for a two-week evaluation.
What's it like to drive?
It feels like the Select has really come into its own with this update. The extra power and broader range of chassis talents makes it a great everyday car on normal roads, but there's plenty of performance and cornering prowess on hand when you want to play a bit.
It's rear-drive, which is not unusual among single-motor EVs, but it really feels RWD in the way it responds to the throttle and tackles corners, which is not always the case. The low-speed ride still veers towards the firmer side compared to your average family SUV, but it's certainly comfy enough; and a bit of compliance adds to the appeal when the car squats down to accelerate out of corners.
The GT is a whole other thing, with its huge power, big Brembo brakes and an extra drive mode: in addition to Whisper, Active and Untame (that's eco, normal and sport, basically), it offers Untame Plus; for track use, really.
The adaptive MagneRide suspension does a lot to give the GT daily-drive appeal, although it still feels pretty firm on regular roads. But the peformance potential and massive traction is only ever a tap of the throttle away.
It's too fast to safely appreciate on public roads, of course. The Melbourne-based media drive programme took us to Coldstream Airport, for a quick full-throttle run to really get a feel for the GT's acceleration.
Untame Plus activated (which also retards the traction and stability control), the Mach-E-with-the-most briefly spins all four wheels before going into full-thrust mode down the runway. If there's any mainstream family EV that deserves the odd track day, this is it.
The Mach-E GT is still the fastest factory Mustang you can buy. Sorry, V8 fans.
What’s the pick of the range?
The Select and GT are very different cars, so it's unlikely anybody will be cross-shopping them. But for what it's worth, you certainly don't feel like you're compromising on the Mach-E experience with the Select. It's great to drive and is still quite lavishly equipped, with a panoramic glass roof, leather-accented seats and heating for both the front chairs and steering wheel.
The brutal performance, lively chassis and track-specific Untame Plus mode in the GT make it a whole other thing - although it still works nicely as a daily driver.
What other cars should I consider?
In one sense the Mustang Mach-E sits very much in the EV mainstream, because it's a medium-sized SUV. But in another, it's a bit different because of the Mustang name, the look and the pitch towards enthusiast drivers.
We reckon the closest thing on the market is the new Cupra Tavascan, which also looks pretty cool and is pleasingly lively in the corners. It's also available in RWD ($84,900) and AWD ($94,900). The latter is a lot cheaper than the Mach-E GT, but then the performance is nowhere near as extreme: "only" 250kW/545Nm.
Otherwise it's the usual suspects: Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($79,990-$149,990), Kia EV6 ($83,070-$115,070), Nissan Ariya ($54,990-$79,990) and Tesla Model Y ($67,900-$100,900), all of which have a spread of mainstream and performance variants.