2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

When it was first launched, the Ford Mustang Mach-E stirred up a cloud of discontent about whether it warranted the Mustang nameplate, and the question is still lingering. In our previous reviews of the Ford Mustang Mach-E we noted that we felt it deserved the moniker, and while we still think it has a lot going for it, there is a new kid on the block that can't be ignored. Mach-E competitors aren't limited to the Tesla Model Y and the VW ID.4 anymore - the Hyundai Ioniq 5 joined the party, and we've fallen hard. And while these rivals are all excellent, they are lacking the weight of an iconic nameplate. The Mach-E is agile and sporty, and in Mach-E GT Performance Edition guise, it delivers a knockout punch with 480 horsepower, 634 lb-ft of torque, a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, and an impressive range of 314 miles. There are many other options too, with base models offering 266 hp. The waiting list for these cars is still long, proving they're more popular than ever.

The price of a Ford Mach-E starts at $46,895 for the Select with RWD, and upgrading to the eAWD adds $2,700 to the bill. Premium models have an MSRP of $54,975 for the standard range battery and RWD. The same increase applies for eAWD - and you need to add $8,600 if you want the extended range battery with RWD, and $11,300 if you want more range and eAWD.

The California Route 1 is priced at $63,575 and is AWD only, while the GT begins at $69,895. Opting for the GT Performance Edition sees the price creep to over $75k. These prices exclude a $1,300 destination charge, and don't take any potential tax credits into account.

While we do believe the 2023 Ford Mach-E deserves the Mustang designation, it's still wise to manage expectations - this isn't a pony car, after all, it's a heavy electric crossover. That being said, the 2023 Mach-E is relatively agile for its size, and its low center of gravity helps it carve around corners with impressive confidence. The suspension setup is angled more toward comfort, and the optional adaptive dampers make this car one of the smoothest riding machines in its class. The driver gets to choose from three driving modes: Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled. This car is at its best in Whisper mode, where it's comfortable, quiet, and smooth. The other two modes are best reserved for impressing your buddies or dropping fools from the lights. Acceleration is impressive in most configurations, but the GT Performance Edition is the one to go for if you want to play with sports cars off the line.

The USA remains at the front end of the EV charge, and it's thanks to cars such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and its rivals that electric cars aren't dismissed as boring. For 2023 the Ford Mustang Mach-E gets even better, thanks to a slight bump in range for the Premium model that incrementally closes the gap between it and the Tesla Model Y, which is the benchmark for many. All models also benefit from more standard features and driver assistance tech. Take into account that the 'Stang is more affordable than the Tesla and the brilliant Hyundai Ioniq 5, and you can see where this is going… Here you get a smooth and agile crossover EV that likes to entertain just as much as it likes to coddle. The interior looks great, the tech works as it should, and we can't complain about the looks either. While we'd shop around at the closest Hyundai dealership, you can't go wrong with the Mach-E if your budget demands it.

We reccomend starting with a Premium model, but not because of the added luxuries. It unlocks the extended range battery, which you can then couple to the RWD or eAWD platform. The California Route 1's longer range is a unique selling point, plus it has the nifty BlueCruise system as standard. The GT is a riot, but the rest of the models provide enough grunt to make the driving experience entertaining. If you're shopping at the top-end of the range, you'd do well to check out a Hyundai Ioniq 5 as well.