2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT: Quick and Roomy
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The Ford Mustang Mach-E turned out to be a good plan for Ford. Even if the Blue Oval hasn’t figured out how to make money with it just yet, sales are up and (most) clients seem to be enjoying their cars. It comes in a variety of models, from the more affordable Select to the more expensive GT, all with an extensive list of customization options. But with new, more modern and technologically advanced rivals, it has trouble competing against heavyweights such as the Tesla Model Y and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with new rivals being added to the list all the time.
Ford has recently applied significant rebates to the 2023 models to make way for the 2024 model, which has received a number of mechanical, aesthetic and software upgrades.
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The Car Guide travelled to Seattle, Washington to test-drive the 2024 Mustang Mach-E’s GT variant.
An Expansive Catalogue
Improvements to the 2024 model include a Ford-built rear electric motor that replaces the outsourced unit, new wheel designs and improvements to the battery's thermoregulation system. Variations are as multiple as ever, with single-engine and dual-engine versions offering all-wheel drive, power outputs ranging from 264 hp to 480 hp, as well as torque of up to 700 lb-ft. A rather special addition to the catalogue this year is the Rally package. We drove this adventurous iteration, which comes with its own set of special features. Our driving impressions will be given in a later article.
In terms of range, the Select variant delivers 370 kilometres, while the Premium variant with rear-wheel drive offers up to 515 kilometres. The GT model can cover 450 kilometres on a full charge of its 91 kWh lithium-ion battery. A new LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery has also recently elected domicile in the Select and Premium short-range models. In addition, the Mach-E now comes with an NACS connector for charging on Tesla superchargers.
Equipped with the big battery and dual motors, the Mustang Mach-E GT's straight-line performance is commendable. Since the arrival of its new rear engine, it can complete the 0-97 km/h sprint in 3.3 seconds when equipped with the Performance Package, compared with 3.6 seconds for the outgoing model.
Although (unsurprisingly) not as pleasant in corners as a proper Mustang, it does offer a good compromise between tempered sportiness and comfortable ride for daily commuting. On the GT variant, the MagneRide adaptive suspension is now included as standard, helping to strike this balance and manage the 4,952 lbs of weight. Three driving modes are offered: Engage (which is the normal mode), Whisper (which offers a more composed driving experience) and Unbridle (which improves throttle response, as well as favouring rearward torque distribution).
A Spacious Cabin, But Still No Heat Pump
Where the Mustang Mach-E really stands out is in the spaciousness and versatility of its cabin. With up to 1,690 litres of available cargo in the rear, plus a frunk that boasts a hefty 133 litres, the Mustang Mach-E remains a good option if you have cargo needs. Passengers are well catered for, with plenty of head and legroom both front and rear, and we appreciate the originality of the voluminous 15.5-inch central screen positioned vertically in the dashboard, which houses a comprehensive SYNC 4 infotainment system.
But the Mach-E still lacks a heat pump, a useful piece of equipment in our climate and one that could deter motorists that hit the road during super-sub-zero temperatures. Instead, the Mach-E is equipped with a more electron-thirsty resistance heater. Although Ford claims to have improved the system in recent years by collecting more heat from the drive components elsewhere in the vehicle, we’ll have to give this new Mach-E a real-world winter test to verify whether the heating problems we experienced with previous models have been resolved.
At launch, the Mach-E was intended to be a cross between the sportiness of a mustang and the versatility of a roomy electric crossover. It is certainly versatile, but must continue to self-improve to avoid lagging behind its rivals, who take the upper hand on certain technical and dynamic points.
Canadian pricing starts at $54,995 for the Select model, while our GT tester was priced at $69,995, to which options such as the $1,295 Performance Package and the BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system have been added for $2,750.
