It’s 1960s America, and the internet has not yet been invented. Ford can’t rely on customers to do a quick search online for a “Ford dealer near me.” Instead, Ford has to think outside the box and design a new model that will attract younger customers to the brand. The answer came in 1964 when Ford sent shockwaves throughout America with the debut of the Mustang, a car designed on a shoestring budget and in record time.
Ford had high hopes for the Mustang; however, those hopes were not high enough. Ford anticipated 100,000 Mustang sales in the first year, but the pony car surpassed that, with dealers selling 22,000 models on the first day. The pony car segment was born and set the stage for a new generation of drivers looking to satiate their need for speed. So, what does this have to do with the 2022 Mach-E?
The Mustang has earned a coveted place in the Ford lineup, and that’s why Ford’s introduction of the Mustang Mach-E in 2021 once again sent shockwaves throughout the country. The all-electric SUV is a far cry from its namesake, which many argue is sacrilegious. Ford, however, hasn’t given up and continues to prove why the electric SUV can and will live up to the Mustang legacy. That’s, at least, the hope for the 2022 Mach-E and is exactly what we see in its powertrains, efficiency, and options for customization.
Powerful, Yet Efficient
The Mustang has always been known for its speed, and that remains true even on the 2022 Mach-E. Ford proves that an all-electric SUV can offer the same level of power, if not more so, than traditional gas-powered sports cars. So, how does the 2022 Mach-E perform?
Ford gives you a choice between a standard range or an extended range powertrain. The 70 kWh standard range battery comes standard on the Mach-E Select and delivers 266 horsepower and up to 428 lb-ft of near-instant torque for quick acceleration and a launch from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds. The 91 kWh extended range battery pack is even more powerful and offers up to 346 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque on the Mach-E Premium. When outfitted on the GT and GT Performance Edition, the battery pushes the Mach-E to 480 horses and 634 lb-ft of torque for jaw-dropping power that launches the Mach-E from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
What’s remarkable about the 2022 Mach-E is that this power comes from electricity rather than fuel. This showcases just how far the industry has evolved since the Mustang’s 1964 debut. Rather than averaging 20 MPG like many performance vehicles, the Mach-E uses its power sparingly, and that translates to exceptional efficiency. The standard range battery has a targeted EPA range of 211 to 230 miles, while the extended range battery pushes this to 305 miles. This means less frequent charging stops and more freedom behind the wheel.
One leading question is whether or not the Mach-E’s electric powertrain and efficiency will come at the cost of the purring of the Mustang engine? Not at all. The Mach-E offers three selectable Drive Experiences (Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled) that allow you to customize how the Mach-E looks and sounds inside the cabin. Whisper customizes the Mach-E’s digital cluster display, turns off the interior sound, sets the ambient lighting to blue, and finetunes the acceleration and deceleration for a calm driving experience. Engage offers a balance of performance and comfort with in-vehicle sounds that enhance your experience behind the wheel. Unbridled gives you the pony car sound that you’ve been dreaming of with enhanced driving sounds that reflect the Mach-E’s increased throttle response and sport-like steering.
Trims Tailored to You
Select
One great thing about the 2022 Mach-E is that it continues the Mustang’s level of customization. The Mach-E isn’t a one-size-fits-all SUV. Instead, Ford gives you four unique trims that you can further customize. The Mach-E’s lineup starts with the Select that’s available with eAWD or RWD to extend its capability. This entry-level Mach-E, however, is far from basic and comes from the factory with a standard range battery, 15.5-inch touchscreen display, Ford’s legendary SYNC 4 infotainment system, and a suite of advanced safety and driver-assist features that make it an exceptional value at just under $43,000.
California Route 1
The California Route 1 is next in the Mach-E’s lineup and sees a few updates for 2022. Now offered with Ford’s eAWD, the California Route 1 comes standard with a heated steering wheel and heated front seats for added comfort. Like the greatest hits album it’s named after, the California Route 1 also comes standard with an extended range battery that pushes the Mach-E to a 305-mile targeted range and a launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds to make it a nimble and responsive performer.
Premium and Ice White Edition
Ford rolls out the red carpet for a true VIP experience when you opt for the Mach-E Premium and the all-new Ice White Edition appearance package, the latter of which pays homage to the original Mustang pony car with its tri-coat Star White metallic paint and Oxford White detailing. Offering the utmost in luxury and innovation, the Premium is remarkable with its opulent interior, fine detailing, and panoramic glass roof that gives you a clear view of the sky above. The Premium also comes with BlueCruise, which is Ford’s hands-free driver-assist tool that allows you to take your hands off the wheel while the SUV navigates itself along compatible roadways.
GT and GT Performance Edition
Luxury and performance have never blended better than on the Mach-E GT, which immediately distinguishes itself with its black-painted roof. Designed right out of the Mustang’s playbook, the GT churns out 480 horses and 600 lb-ft of torque for a launch from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. When you upgrade to the GT Performance Edition, this launch gets even faster at 3.5 seconds to leave you completely breathless in the driver’s seat.
Charging Made Easy
Driving an all-electric SUV doesn’t have to be rocket science, at least not when you buy the 2022 Mach-E. Ford makes it easy for customers to switch to an all-electric lifestyle since every Mach-E comes with a Ford mobile charger and the option to purchase a Ford Connected Charge Station that allows you to charge the Mach-E’s battery overnight from the convenience of your garage. You can monitor the station using the FordPass app, which allows you to remotely lock and unlock the station, see your charge history, and monitor your energy usage.
Ford also has you covered when you’re on the road. Every Mach-E comes with two years of complimentary access to Ford’s Blue Oval Charge Network, which includes 19,500 charging stations and counting. You’ll also receive 250 kWh of complimentary fast charging at Electrify America charging stations via the FordPass Rewards Program. For greater efficiency and convenience, you can use your FordPass App to plug in and pay for charging at participating charging stations.
The Mustang in the Mach-E: Do You See It?
Do you see the Mustang legacy in the 2022 Mach-E? The Mach-E may not look exactly like the pony car, nor may it sport the same gas-guzzling engine; however, it lives up to the Mustang’s namesake by delivering jaw-dropping power and exceptional handling across its four-trim lineup. It pays homage to its namesake with custom packages like the Ice White Edition while ushering the Mustang name into the next era. This is an era where EVs like the Mach-E are proving that the next generation of vehicles can still leave you breathless behind the wheel, even with a battery powering its racing heartbeat.
