Drivers who love to hit the accelerator and explore the limits of what a vehicle can do are a rare breed, and buying a run-of-the-mill SUV or sedan is unlikely to satisfy your thirst for performance-oriented features. Instead, you could drive a performance crossover SUV that melds the best of both worlds—if you’re willing to explore the new realm of performance with an electric vehicle: the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E. This is a crossover that changes how spirited drivers interact with a performance vehicle; without the rumble or whine of an engine to get your blood moving, the Mach-E silently, stealthily, and hungrily devours the road. It responds to your input as if an extension of your body, especially with the GT Performance Edition upgrade. Let’s dive into what this EV has to offer before you head to your local Ford dealership for a test drive.
What Powers the Mustang Mach-E?
Instead of a V6 or V8 under the hood, the Mustang Mach-E has a frunk—or front trunk, because the electric motors are placed over the axles. With the GT and GT Performance Edition, the Mach-E gets standard all-wheel drive, which means more traction and control at high speeds with two motors instead of one. Two motors don’t give the GT more power; they simply add the stability of all-wheel drive.
Power generates in the electric motor in a different way than a traditional gas-powered engine. Rather than having to run through gears and revving the engine until it reaches its peak horsepower, an electric motor delivers high horsepower and torque as soon as you hit the accelerator. No waiting; hit the pedal and you have all the power immediately. That’s an attractive aspect of electric vehicles as a whole, particularly this model.
For the GT, Ford advertises capability as massive as 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. The GT Performance Edition doesn’t add any extra horsepower, but it does gain an extra 34 lb-ft of torque. What’s the difference? About .3 seconds; with the GT model, you can zoom from zero to 60 in about 3.8 seconds, whereas the extra torque of the Performance Edition speeds the Mach-E from zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds.
With the battery pack that comes standard in the GT, Ford estimates the driving range to be as high as 314 miles on a full charge. However, that is reduced by only 10 miles for the Performance Edition—due to the larger power draw.
How the Mach-E GT drives
Driving the GT offers a different feel than the GT Performance Edition in terms of ride quality. However, in most other ways the two models will share similar features. Inside the cabin upholstered in dark colors, the GT model largely reflects almost the same interior as the Performance Edition—except for the more heavily bolstered seats for the Performance package. A few appearance details signify which GT you’re driving, though the sport seats in the Performance Edition do give the Mach-E a better sense of the car’s capabilities. Infinitely more modern in its design compared to the gas-powered Mustang, the Mach-E comes across as a deeply tech-focused EV with its minimalistic dash and digital screens in the command center.
In the driver’s seat, taking off from a standstill is certain to get the heart pumping. Here is where the instant torque comes alive. With or without sports seats, the GT’s speed is undeniable and deserving of its Mustang family name—as it easily accelerates on a straight-line highway. Cornering and carving through winding roads is equally fun with the responsive steering and more-than-reliable braking.
Where this model is most likely to lose its appeal is in the stiffness of the ride. Without the magnetic damping of the Performance Edition, the GT is almost too harsh on rough roads. For this reason alone, it may be worth upgrading to the Performance model. With that said, if you’re the kind of person who can’t appreciate the performance without the sound of an exhaust note, you’re facing a difficult future as more performance cars make the switch to electric in coming years.
Adding the Performance Edition package means a slightly faster Mach-E with sports seats, and the far more comfortable ride quality of the adaptive dampers. The damping is a welcome relief when hitting uneven pavement. Plus, this edition also gains Brembo brakes for extra stopping power, alongside Pirelli tires with stickier grip.
Both the GT and GT Performance Edition can take performance up a notch with Unbridled Extend Mode, which changes throttle and braking responses to adjust traction and stability control. It also provides extra muscle from the electric motors for extended lengths of time. This mode isn’t intended for public roads, but rather is meant for closed courses—where you’ll want to really let the Mach-E rip.
Charging Is Better Than Pumping
Though some critics have been tough on Ford about how the Mach-E charges, we have to remember that this is Ford’s first EV. Just as Ford took chances on the automotive industry by pioneering assembly lines in manufacturing and mass marketing the Model T, it has taken chances delivering a mass-market performance EV. Ford has worked to offer buyers an exciting alternative to traditional gas-powered cars.
The Mustang is an icon from the Ford stable, and charging it as opposed to visiting the gas station doesn’t have to be an inconvenience. If you happen to be a person who can install a rapid charger at home, you can charge the battery overnight. It’s no different than charging a smartphone while you sleep.
For anyone without a place to plug in at home, it may be more of a frustration to own an EV of any kind, not just a Mach-E. Rapid charging stations can be found in various locations around all of North America, a network that has added a large number of stations in just the past year. Ford states on its website that over 20,500 charging stations are accessible for Ford customers, which translates into more than 70,000 places to plug in and charge within its Blue Oval Charge Network. As it stands now, the driving range for the GT is fairly good, and if you plan to take drives for pleasure, this leaves a lot of ground to cover. Most people may find that little battery charging is necessary on a daily basis unless you have very long commutes, so the need for fully charging a depleted battery is going to be rare for most buyers.
Good News for GT Buyers
For 2022 models, the GT and GT Performance Edition will come standard with the sporty black roof to give the exterior an upgraded, two-tone look. It’s sharp and sleek—a welcome change. On another note: it’s worth mentioning that some GT buyers will qualify for the federal tax credit that can refund up to $7500 with the purchase of the Mach-E—and that isn’t limited to any particular model or trim level. All Mach-E models qualify for this credit because it’s a fully electric vehicle. This tax credit does depend on certain factors like battery capacity, though the Mach-E is well within the allowance to receive the credit.
The government does state on the Department of Energy website that tax credits are only awarded to buyers of new vehicles they own outright; credits are not awarded for leased or used vehicles. All the more reason to purchase the Mach-E new.
Before buying, you can check for state-specific incentives as well. For instance, New York State offers grants to install public charging ports, an important bit of information buyers can utilize to encourage their city or town to install public charging stations. This also makes owning an EV much easier. In addition, New York gives buyers of EVs another tax credit of $2,000—provided the vehicle meets the standards set. Every state has different standards, laws, and regulations regarding EVs, so it’s worth the time to explore the advantages of owning an EV like the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.
