When I heard I was getting a Mustang for the week I was expecting a V8 engine beast, as the grandfather of Ford’s muscle car line. I had no idea they made it in a fully electric model, for those who want the sportiness of the make, but the fuel economy of a plug-in.
And although it is a great electric vehicle, it does not feel like a Mustang. At least the sleek shell, sporty stance, and rim keeps in tradition with the classic Mustang. However, the closed off front grill does have it looking more robotic and less aggressive as we know the make to be.
I did like the overall space-age feel of the car. With modern features to speak to the progression of the brand into the 21st century and the demand for more electric vehicles.
Approaching it, I originally thought the 2022 Mustang Mach E Premium was a two door. I noticed the button and latch in place of a traditional door handle for the driver and passenger front, but completely missed the push button open for the back seat. With a little applied pressure the door springs open and you are able to swing it open.
Similarly in its unique space-age design, there was different latch/handle on the interior door. One that has you pulling back to release the door and pushing it outwards. I have never seen anything else like it.
Within, designers have taken the less is more approach with a minimalistic outlook and a simplistic design. It felt classic with its faux leather seats equipped with generous lumbar that was supple against your skin, yet firm for ideal back support.
The centre console has but the basics: a gearshift knob, your hazard lights, and the emergency brake switch. Majority of your options are available off the infotainment system that resembled a giant iPad, the largest I have seen. Like other Ford makes, it gave you the option to draw directly on the table in a Microsoft Paint-like program. I have yet to find a use for this outside of comic relief. It could at least be available at the back row, for your petite passengers.
I liked the glass top roof. It felt like the opposite of a clear bottom boat and had you looking up into the skies. This would be perfect for lazy star gazing as you recline your seat all the way back. Especially seeing as the roof is not curved, and is almost laid flat flushed, end to end for an undistorted view. Although it is just a shame that it does not retract as a sun roof. Guess, you can’t have it all. And plus, most vehicles designed for sport in mind do not have features such as a retractable roof to slow it down. Much like door handle that do not help to distribute the wind and any down force.
As for the way the 2022 Mustang Mach E handled, you get the speed and power coupled with control that you’d expect from a sports vehicle. Close to the ground you felt every bump and every shift. Each push of the brake felt dramatic, with no way to adjust or soften it, even with more gently applied pressure.
Similarly, I wish we were able to adjust the pressure of the auto break. It felt rough at stop and start. And you felt it most as drag from the passenger’s seat. This was most common in the pre-collision assist function. I felt it several times as I judged there to be enough room between myself and the vehicle in front of me, but the Mustang Mach E did not so stopped us to almost a dead halt, before easing up with recoil. Be warned and prepared for some whiplash here.
In short, this proves that EVs are the future. If they can turn your childhood coveted racing car into a fuel and resource conscious option, anything is possible. Once again, it maintains the speed and handling you would expect from a Mustang, but with a modern and space age approach and all new and unique design choices to match.
