2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E - Re- Driven Hands Free Review

HANK'S MODEL STEED SAV EV: The Blue Oval historian jury may be out on the heritage name co- opting, but, then, Henry Ford didn't care much about public opinion. 

His namesake's first volume battery electric vehicle, launched in 2021, is lengthily named, adequately roomy and plenty easy on the eyes.

Eager to audition audition BlueCruise^TM hands free motorway driving, Roadblazing.com recently tooled around in a more powerful, longer range 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD EV.

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD EV DRIVING HITS: (vs. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD EV in parentheses)

• New for '23: 346 net horsepower (258 kW) @ 6500 r.p.m. redline (+ 20 horsepower)
• Same for '23: 426 pound-feet torque @1800 r.p.m.
• 1-speed automatic center shaft gear reduction unit; 9.05:1 final drive ratio
• New for '23: 91 kWh extended range LiIon Polymer battery capacity (+3 kWh)
  • 10.5 kW J1772 charge speed
  • 150 kW CCS DC maximum charge speed
• Fleet afoot mid size sport activity vehicle
• Full time all-wheel drive w/ torque vectoring
  • Three (3) drive modes = Engage, Whisper, Unbridled: Not much difference between first two, latter offers greater throttle response & audio system synthesized motive sound
  • selectable 1-Pedal Drive: the full stop type

• RATED CONSUMPTION, ELECTRICITY: 35.7 kWh / 100 mi., 92 combined miles per gallon electric, 2.80 mi / kWh, 290 miles maximum range,
• OBSERVED CONSUMPTION, ELECTRICITY: 32.2 kWh / 100 mi., 104 combined miles per gallon electric, 3.10 mi / kWh, 260 miles maximum range, 97% charge state, 88°F ambient temperature
• Fully independent front strut + rear four-link suspension
  • Front big brakes (4-piston fixed calipers);
• 19" alloy wheels + Michelin Primacy all-season touring tires
• Low center of gravity inhibits body roll, Subtly understeer at limits
• Mostly good build quality with expected for EV cabin quiet

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD EV DRIVING MISSES:

• Drive modes and steering resistance adjustment accessed from infotainment menu
• Single pedal driving accessible only through Ford MySync 4 media screen
• Lacks variable rate regenerative slowing
• Rotary drive position selector confuses, especially when seeking Reverse from Drive
• Engaging neutral for tunnel car wash passage is no easy feat
• Ride slightly over-taught
• Steering wheel resistance overweighted and low road feel
• Synthesized cabin motor sound seems strangled
• Was it mentioned [by CEO Jim Farley, in a west coast road trip] that the public DC fast charging network isn't up to snuff.
• The option to charge at Tesla Superchargers has only minimally rolled out.

WHAT the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD EV HAS GOT:

• Pricing: from $44,695 (incl. destination) for an 1-speed automatic 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select EV rear-wheel drive. As tested high-spec 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD Extended Range EV all-wheel drive trim priced at $67,565.

• Style: Fox bodied Mustangs were liftbacks so the Mach-E hasn't completely taken liberties with the model designation. Sequential arrowhead rear directionals mimic the gas powered S550 Mustang. Other flavors of Mustang sport coupe on the Mach-E include power dome flanked by dual valley hood; Raked back windshield & near fastback roof slope; Tall beltline; Powerful 2nd Row beltline crease to rear quarter panel hip flaring, "Galloping Pony" black badging front and rear with nary a Blue Oval emblem outside. This remains one of the few battery electrics with a grille albeit it a solid one.

• Space: A sport fastback profile that shaves off the 2nd Row headroom expected in more upright compact crossover utes.
• Utility: The sloped liftgate hampers cargo height but there is the cool 5.0 cubic foot Fr[ont tr]unk with tailgating drain.
  • 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seatbacks w/ bay remote cable release chrome tie down anchors, cargo roll shade, load brush plate; Power liftgate. Floating 1st Row center console w/ wide upper mobile device tray.

• Fit & Finish: Perforated Active-X seating, contrasting middle dashboard and door padded inserts w/ tucked seam exposed stitching; Heather grey cloth upper dashboard & loudspeaker covering; Piano black soft touch switchgear & housings, Rolling center console storage lids; Tight webbed headliner & pillar covers, Single oversized knurled audio volume and selection advance knob within lower infotainment screen, Knurled rotary center console drive position selector knob; Triple layer door seals
• Standard Feature Set:
• √ Keyless approach entry, √ Soft touch exterior power door open; √ Push button start;
• √ 2-zone automatic climate control w/ pre-conditioning
• √ LED headlights, DRLs & sequential taillights, √ Rain sensing windshield wipers
• √ Auto dimming rear view mirror, √ Power folding side mirrors; √ Full express power windows x 4
• √ Active-X simulated hide 8-way heated power front seats; √ Tilt + telescoping steering wheel w/ integrated controls
• Infotainment Technology:
• √ 10.2"  TFT landscape Digital Driver Display, w consumption, range + native navigation script directions
• √ MyFordSync 4.0 Touch 15.0" inch portrait swipe & touch LCD media display w/ voice command + guidance HDD GPS navigation, Ford Connected Apps; √ FordPass App;
  • By Subscription: Wi-Fi (4 years trial); √ SiriusXM satellite radio ( 90 days incl.)

• √ USB-A,C x 2 x 2 Rows; √ Bluetooth and smart phone messaging
• √ 6-speaker, 240 W streaming audio with HD-radio
• √ wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay phone app projection
• Safety: +1 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick; 10 airbags; Surround  backup camera w/ predictive grid + front & rear warning park assist
• Driver Assist Technology: STD: Pedestrian, cyclist, large animal forward traffic and oncoming traffic turn vehicle collision avoidance braking; Blind spot & rear cross traffic warning & avoidance braking; Post collision brake lock; Auto high beam lights; Swiveling headlamps; Park distance warning, fore and aft; Rain sensing windshield wipers
  • Co-Pilot360: Adaptive cruise control; Lane Keep Assist with Travel Assist.
• NEW IN '22: √ BlueCruise 1.3™* mapped interstate hands-free and lane change Level 3 assisted driving (*BY SUBSCRIPTION)
• Warranty: 3 year / 36k miles bumper to bumper, 5 yrs. / 60k mi. powertrain, 8 yrs. / 100k mi. electric component warranty

WHAT the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD EV HAS NOT (or NOT PREFERRED):

• Most operational settings including climate accessible ONLY in the central touch infotainment screen
• Steering wheel limited telescoping range
• Liftgate is heavy, power assist included only Premium and up trim

STANDOUT FEATURES on 2023 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E PREMIUM AWD EXTENDED RANGE EV :

• ♦ Fixed glass roof, -1 no sun shade
• ♦ Bang & Olufsen B&O Play 10 speaker 560 Watt premium audio
• ♦ Driver seats & mirrors 2-position memory + 8-way power adjust passenger seat -way power adjust
• ♦ Heated front seats; Heated steering wheel; Power folding wing mirrors
• ♦ Homelink remote garage transmitter; ♦ Qi Wireless charging tray
• ♦ Power liftgate - height adjusting; ♦ Cargo bay privacy shade
• ♦ Driver & passenger door puddle illuminated galloping Mustang; ♦ Ambient cabin illumination (white)

Roadblazing.com Says: Banking on a heritage Pony car name, Hank's first volume battery electric crossover SAV gains power, range and hands free motorway driving.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD - Bottom Line Review

BUZZWORD FORWARD: Moving the needle on the Blue Oval brand’s North American portfolio dial further towards renewable Green, Ford has chosen a path invoking heritage conventional internal combustion models rather than competitors unconventional appliance designs and names more evocative of utility companies. PONY-CAR APPROPRIATED E-SAV: Sure as the sun will

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton