By: Joshua Lee
September 27, 2023
Were we just as shocked when Ford put the Mustang name on a crossover SUV? Yes. We can also feel the heat coming from die-hard fans of the iconic pony car when ‘GT’ is on a high-performance electric vehicle. Before you get your pitchforks and riot, we had the chance to test the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition from Ford Canada and figure out whether or not it can replace the popular two-door.
Sadly, there is no V8 under the Mach-E GT, but there are two electric motors that power all four wheels. With 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, the Mach-E GT is certainly fast, reaching 100km/h in 3.7 seconds from standstill! The handling of this eAWD SUV is phenomenal, as the adaptive MagneRide suspension keeps the car agile and the responsive steering is still light enough at low speeds. There are three driving modes, each with its own unique tuning dynamics. The Mach-E GT features the Unbridle Extend mode, which is designed for closed-course track driving.
For an electric crossover, the Mach-E GT looks pretty good! There are similar styling cues to the Mustang; a bulging hood, aggressive headlights, sequential tri-bar LED taillights, and a wider rear shoulder. Our Grabber Blue Metallic Mach-E GT has 20-inch machined-face aluminium wheels, a Pony projection lamp from the side mirrors, an illuminated Pony badge on the front grille, and red Brembo brakes. The doors on the Mach-E are electronically operated and will open by pushing a small round button on the outside.
Stepping into the crossover, the cabin feels roomy with the standard panoramic fixed glass roof. Finding our optimal seating position is easy with the 8-way power adjustment, and we were comfortable in the Performance Grey ActiveX seats that have a cool ‘Ford Performance’ tag on them. The GT features a similar dual-cowl dashboard found on the Mustang, while a 15.5” SYNC 4 infotainment screen sits in the center. All primary settings—audio, climate, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto—are operated on this screen, which provides little lag. A large knob located at the bottom of the screen controls the audio power and volume. The 10.2” digital instrumental cluster in front of the steering wheel is long and thin but works to keep the interior simplistic. Other features include a wireless charging pad, a 10-speaker B&O sound system, multi-colour ambient lighting, and a 360-degree camera.
The Mach-E features one-pedal driving that’s very enjoyable to use compared to other electric vehicles. You also have the option of having an artificial engine sound to enhance the sportiness of this car while you’re driving. There is seating for five, with lots of headroom and legroom for all passengers. There is 822L of cargo space behind the 60/40 split folding rear seats, which expands to 1685L when folded. The frunk holds an additional 139.5L.
Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 is fitted on the Mach-E GT and offers an extensive set of safety features like forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist. There are front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Ford adds on BlueCruise for hands-free highway driving that allows the car to switch lanes and adjusts the vehicle speed in an upcoming curve. There is a 90-day trial to use this feature, or you can purchase a 3-year service plan to continue.
The Mach-E GT Performance Edition uses a 91kWh battery pack that gives the vehicle an estimated range of 418 KM. A mobile charger is included with our tester, which charges the Mach-E from 0-100% in approximately 95 hours with a 120V outlet or 14 hours with a 240V outlet. You’re able to set your own charging schedule, and there are lights beside the charging port to tell you the current battery level. DC fast charging is also available, with the Mach-E taking about 45 minutes from 10-80%.
There are four models to choose from: Select and Premium are the ones most consumers would pick. If you want maximum range, the rear-wheel-drive California Route 1 boasts an estimated range of 505KM. If you want the performance-oriented version, our GT Performance Edition comes up to $95,290 after taxes and delivery.
The electrification of cars can’t be avoided, as consumers are now looking for fuel efficiency or eliminating that entirely. While this might take the pleasure out of driving with a traditional combustion engine, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition is far from boring. For an electric vehicle costing close to six figures, the GT has the performance to back it up. It feels like a rocket ship and can transport a family with ease. The Mustang will never be replaced, as we can see the 2024 model coming out. The Mach-E is a successful addition to the family; it looks great for a coupe SUV, the power lives up to the name, and it will attract attention just like the pony car.
