Like siblings, individuals with identical surname do not necessarily look alike. The same is true for the Mustang Mach-E. Notwithstanding its name, this mid-size SUV inherits almost only the external styling elements from its predecessor: a sleek silhouette, muscular curves, and a long hood with a very raised nose. Its design helps it stand out from its competitors in the homogeneous world of SUVs. Its fastback roofline, triple taillights in the rear and massive grille with the galloping horse emblem gives it personality.
Throughout the years, the range of exhilarating-sounding engines, coupled with a unique driving experience, has helped build the Mustang’s aura and charm. However, this thrill-seeking is rarely at the top of the list of purchase criteria. So, by offering an electric vehicle (EV) under this name, Ford was probably aiming at a wider audience, favouring carbon footprint over driving pleasure.
A Mustang watered down in EV style
The Mach-E offers three driving modes (Whisper, Engage and Unbridle). They alter acceleration and steering to provide a “driving dynamic and sensory experience” that ranges from smooth, calm and quiet to exhilarating, when, according to Ford, “the machine and the road are one.” Yet in the end, the utility vehicle inspired by the legendary Pony Car remains an EV. Like others of its breed, it impresses in its launches with 346 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, but don’t expect to feel the same excitement as if you had a purring V8 under the hood.
So it was during a nearly 36-hour trip where I was to cover over 700 km, accompanied by a co-pilot, that I got to test this modern-day wild horse. Our itinerary? To reach the National Capital for a night in the comfort of the hotel Le Germain in Old Québec, with a “small” detour to L’Étape, a rest area located in the heart of the Laurentian wildlife reserve, halfway between Québec City and Saguenay. With more than 350 kilometres separating us from our first destination, a stop at the charging station was in order. The day prior to our departure, the Mach-E’s autonomy was more than 400 km, but at dawn, it had only 363 km left, the loss of energy being the result of the vehicle’s struggle to counter the cold of this winter night.
Limited comfort
From the start, however, I had trouble finding an adequate driving position. The steering wheel only adjusts in height, while the leatherette seats offer average comfort, which is more noticeable on long trips. In addition, the Mach-E’s tapered roofline and C-pillars (rear) limit visibility in blind spots. The soundproofing of the cabin could also be improved. Despite these few drawbacks, the overall driving experience was pleasant, without ever raising any excitement or passion.
On the other hand, my behind stayed warm throughout the drive, thanks to the impressively efficient heated seats (note that the front seats are not ventilated). The same cannot be said for the steering wheel, which unfortunately distributes heat to areas where you wouldn’t normally position your hands. But I must point out that this is not an isolated phenomenon.
When the turtle appears
Our first recharge comes at Neuville when a small turtle icon appears on the instrument panel. Although we only drove 237 km, our vehicle was in desperate need of a refill, with only 3% battery power and a mere 7 km remaining. According to the AVEQ (Association des Véhicules Électriques du Québec), the turtle mode “limits speed and acceleration for a few more kilometres”. This usually happens after the third warning, when “there is between 5 and 10 km of range left, perhaps slightly more”. At this point, it is important to act quickly. If the warning occurs on the highway, it is recommended to drive on the shoulder. Let’s keep this in mind!
After a 45-minute wait that “forced” us to take a lunch break, the battery had regained 62% of its charge and the indicator showed 221 km. Plenty to reach l’Étape, but not enough to attain our final destination. Equipped with a 98.8 kWh long-range battery with a maximum recharge capacity of 150 kWh, the Mach-E should theoretically go from 10% to 80% of its charge in only 38 minutes.
Plugging in to survive
Our two refuelling stops added nearly an hour and 10 minutes to our journey. With 50 km of autonomy in reserve, we finally arrived in Old Québec. Considering that the vehicle can use up to 40 km while sleeping to “keep its organs functional” on cold winter nights, we had to recharge it before dawn. Two Level 2 charging stations were available to us in the parking lot of Le Germain Hotel, courtesy of Porsche. Deployed worldwide in luxurious destinations (hotels, restaurants, golf clubs, marinas, etc.), the Porsche destination charging network aims to offer its clientele easy recharging solutions when travelling.
After several vain attempts to plug in, we were about to give up and go in search of a nearby public charging station. That’s when Le Germain’s friendly valet, Mr. Claude, proudly informed us that he had succeeded in plugging in our Mustang. The problem? Ice stuck inside the charging gun. The solution? Dislodge it with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). I promised myself when I got back that I would add a bottle to my road trip essentials bag, because you never know!.…
Highlights
Although the Mach-E does not impress with its driving, it certainly stands out with its spacious interior and its abundance of advanced technology. The cockpit can comfortably accommodate five passengers with plenty of head and legroom, unlike in a traditional Mustang where sitting in the back “seats” is almost a torture! As a bonus, it has two trunks. The hatch opens to 840 litres of space, which can be increased to 1,690 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The fronk has an additional 135 litres.
In the middle of the dashboard floats a huge 15.5-inch vertically oriented touch screen that houses the vehicle’s control centre. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster faces the driver, as does an infrared camera that detects the driver’s attention by tracking head position and eye movement. The Mach-E is equipped with the BlueCruise system as well, which allows hands-free driving on over 160,934 km of North American highways. The SUV also gets the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 suite that features 360 camera, smart key, blind spot sensor, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, remote start and GPS.
But with a MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) that tops the $73,000 mark, the Mach-E California Route 1 eAWD Extended Range is simply not for everyone!
At the end of January, Ford announced a price drop for the 2023 model year Mach-E Mustang. The retail price of the California Route 1 eAWD Extended Range is down from $85,925.00 to $79,120.00, plus a $2,095.00 freight and PDI charge.
TECHNICAL DATA:
TOTAL DISTANCE DRIVEN: 718 km
TOTAL ELECTRICITY COST: $52.59
AVERAGE CONSUMPTION: 29.9 kWh/100 km
RANGE: 502 km (according to Natural Resources Canada), our highest range displayed: 449 km
ENGINE:
Electric motors with 98.8 kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined 290 horsepower (216 kW) and 317 lb-ft of torque
Single-speed transmission and all-wheel drive
OPTIONS:
—Interior Protection Package (cargo area protector, front/rear floor liner without carpet) $350.00
TEST CAR PRICE: $71,375.00 (plus $2 095.00 freight and PDI)
