Ford Mustang Mach-E test in the city, on the highway and on charging: a full review of the experience

Naming an electric SUV Mustang is a bold move by Ford. The legendary name, synonymous with V8s and rebellion, is now in a quiet crossover with a battery.

We took the Ford Mustang Mach-E for a test drive to find out what's in it from the legend and what's in it from an electric car. We checked it in three key disciplines: city traffic, highway, and the thorny issue of charging.

This experience is for those who want to buy a new electric car, but want it to have character in addition to environmental friendliness

Driving around the city

Ford Mustang McE in a metropolis is a high-quality silence. Noise insulation is top-notch, and the street seems to exist separately from you. Turn on the music on B&O and you're in your own world. The gas pedal is a teleporter. Need to squeeze into a line? No problem, you're always first. But the main thrill for the city is one-pedal driving. The car brakes with regeneration so intensely and predictably that the driver simply doses everything with one right foot. You get used to it instantly.

The suspension is composed, resilient, and gives a great sense of control. Yes, it will remind you of itself on large potholes or old cobblestones, but that's the price you pay for how well it holds the road. Given the high ride height and great visibility, it's just right for the city.

Behavior on the highway

In this mode, all the engineering is revealed. The battery, integrated into the floor, gives a phenomenally low center of gravity. At speeds of 110-130 km/h, the Mach-E stands on the road as if glued to the asphalt. Overtaking is a pleasure. You press the pedal and you are already far ahead. In the turns, the rolls are minimal, the car bites into the trajectory with a confidence that you don't expect from a crossover.

But if you want to hit 130+ km/h, be prepared for the power reserve to start melting away before your eyes. This applies to any electric car. When driving calmly at 100-110 km/h, the version with a large battery will quite realistically travel 400-450 km, and when driving aggressively - 300-350 km. I would also like to praise the Ford Co-Pilot 360™ system. Adaptive cruise control brakes smoothly and holds the lane well.

Charging.

We tried three scenarios:

• A regular 220V outlet. The recharge speed is 10-15 km per hour. Not a working scheme for every day.
• AC (11 kW). An ideal home or office option. By connecting the car at night (8-10 hours), you have a "full tank" every morning.
• DC (from 50 kW). On a fast charger (150 kW), the battery is replenished from 10% to 80% in 40-45 minutes.

Is it possible to live with Mach-E without home charging? You can, but why? The whole point of owning an electric car is the convenience of "refueling" at home while you sleep.

Additional impressions

What really impressed me was the giant 15.5" multimedia screen with a physical volume knob built right into the glass. An ingenious and simple solution. The quality of the materials in the cabin is high. The eco-leather is very pleasant to the touch. And, of course, two trunks. The rear (402 liters) and front "frunk" (81 liters) are a great place to store charging cables.

Verdict.

If Mustang for you is a roaring V8 and the smell of burnt rubber, then the McE is not a Mustang. But if you like style, character, sharp handling and dynamics that make your heart beat faster, then definitely yes. Ford Mustang Mach E is designed for those who are looking for a real emotion in a car, which it gives in full: a high level of technology, a modern interior and an eye-catching design.

But there is another side to it. You'll have to accept the bouncy suspension, which is focused on drive rather than sofa comfort. The price for versions with a large battery makes you think, and the real power reserve on the highway directly depends on how hard you push the pedal.

Ford Mustang McE is one of the few electric cars that has character. The spirit of freedom is 100% present in it.

Кирило Бойко