The Ford Mustang Mach-E aims to combine the iconic pony car‘s sportiness and style with the practicality and eco-friendliness of an electric crossover SUV. As Ford‘s first long-range electric vehicle, it‘s an important step forward for the company. However, if you‘re considering buying a Mustang Mach-E, there are several significant drawbacks you need to be aware of before taking the plunge. As an EV and automotive technology expert, I‘ll share 10 compelling reasons why you may want to avoid the Mach-E and consider other electric vehicle options instead.
1. Sky-High Sticker Price
One of the biggest barriers to Mustang Mach-E ownership is the substantial upfront cost. The base Select RWD Standard Range model starts at a lofty $44,995 including destination fee. Prices quickly escalate from there, with the California Route 1 trim starting at $64,875 and the top-spec GT Performance Edition coming in at a whopping $69,800.
While you may save money on "fuel" costs over time by going electric, these savings can take years to offset the significantly higher price tag compared to an equivalent gas-powered crossover SUV. For example, a well-equipped Ford Escape SEL, which is similar in size, starts at just $30,920 – a full $14,000 less than the base Mach-E.
2. Exorbitant Maintenance and Repair Costs
The specialized nature of the Mustang Mach-E‘s electric powertrain means that maintenance and repairs are often much pricier than with a conventional vehicle. Electric motors, batteries, high-voltage wiring, charging systems – these EV-specific components require special training and tools to service.
Unfortunately, that means your local independent mechanic likely won‘t be able to help if something goes wrong with your Mach-E outside of warranty. You‘ll be forced to visit a Ford dealership, where labor rates are generally higher. And due to the relative scarcity of EV-certified Ford techs, you may have to wait longer for an appointment.
What‘s more, replacement parts for the Mach-E, like any EV, are staggeringly expensive. According to Ford‘s service pricing guide, a new Mach-E battery pack costs over $20,000, not including labor. An electric drive unit is over $7,000. Even basic wear items like brake pads are pricey, coming in around $300 for a set of fronts.
So while you may avoid some regular maintenance costs like oil changes, the heightened cost and complexity of EV repairs means owning a Mach-E is still an expensive proposition in the long run.
3. Severe Range Limitations
Perhaps the biggest adjustment when switching to an EV is getting used to the limited driving range on a charge. While the Mustang Mach-E is one of the longer-range options out there, topping out at 314 miles in the California Route 1 version, that‘s still less than half the range most gas cars get on a single tank.
In real-world driving, range can be considerably lower than the EPA estimate, especially in cold weather or when driving at higher speeds. Popular EV YouTube channel Out of Spec Reviews found their Mach-E tester achieved just 220 miles of range in 30-degree weather – about a 30% drop.
That means frequent charging stops on road trips, which can add hours to your travel time. It also makes the Mach-E impractical for people who regularly drive long distances or who can‘t reliably charge at home every night. The smaller 68 kWh battery in base Mach-E models has an even shorter range of just 211-230 miles.
4. Underdeveloped Charging Infrastructure
Another major challenge with Mustang Mach-E ownership is the current state of America‘s public charging infrastructure. While the number of charging stations is steadily growing, thanks in part to government funding, finding a compatible and functional plug when you need one is still a much bigger hassle than simply pulling up to a gas pump.
Longer charging times are also problematic. While filling up a 15-gallon gas tank takes just a few minutes, even with a Level 3 DC fast charger that can juice up the Mach-E‘s battery to 80% in 45 minutes, it‘s still considerably less convenient. Relying on slower Level 1 or 2 charging can mean an overnight affair to brim the battery.
Non-Tesla EV owners also have to contend with a confusing patchwork of different charging networks, each with their own apps, payment methods, and reliability issues. Popular YouTuber Marques Brownlee documented his frustrating experience with broken and finicky chargers during a 1,000-mile Mach-E road trip.
Until charging is as easy and ubiquitous as getting gas, widespread EV adoption will continue to face roadblocks. Mustang Mach-E buyers need to carefully consider whether the charging infrastructure in their area can support their lifestyle and driving needs before taking the plunge. For many, it‘s still more trouble than it‘s worth.
5. Poor Cold Weather Performance
Like all EVs, the Mustang Mach-E faces additional range and performance challenges in frigid winter weather. Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reaction inside the battery pack, reducing capacity. Using the heater also saps precious energy.
The Mach-E‘s heavy curb weight and all-season tires also limit its traction in snow and ice. Ground clearance is lower than most crossovers too. While the dual-motor AWD powertrain helps, the Mach-E is still not an ideal winter weather vehicle. If you live in a northern state with harsh winters, the Mach-E‘s cold weather limitations are another reason to think twice.
6. Disappointing Interior Quality
While the Mustang Mach-E‘s interior looks sleek and modern at first glance, many materials feel surprisingly low-rent given the EV‘s lofty price point. There‘s an abundance of hard plastic surfaces and a lack of premium details like genuine wood, metal, or leather accents.
The fit and finish also doesn‘t feel fully baked. There are wider panel gaps and more creaks and rattles than in other EVs in this price range like the Tesla Model Y or Audi Q4 e-tron. Many controls feel flimsy too, like the window switches and drive mode dial.
For a vehicle that starts at nearly $45,000 and can approach $70,000 when fully loaded, the Mach-E‘s interior just doesn‘t feel special enough. You don‘t get your money‘s worth in terms of luxury or refinement.
7. Glitchy, Distracting Infotainment
The centerpiece of the Mustang Mach-E‘s minimalist interior is the massive 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen. It certainly makes a visual impact, but the software it runs leaves a lot to be desired. Ford‘s Sync 4A system feels half-baked, with slow response times, numerous bugs, and an unintuitive interface.
Common functions like adjusting the climate controls or browsing radio stations require far too many distracting taps and swipes. The navigation system is also sluggish to pinch and zoom. Some controls lack haptic feedback, making it unclear if your input registered.
Worst of all, the system is prone to random crashes and glitches. Many owners have complained of the screen turning black while driving or being stuck on the Ford logo on startup. Even when it‘s working, the UI design feels cluttered and the graphics are surprisingly low-res.
Some physical buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard help, but the overall user experience feels frustrating, especially for a vehicle this expensive. The big screen may wow your passengers, but it quickly becomes a UX nightmare.
8. Polarizing Pony Car Styling
Part of the Mustang Mach-E‘s appeal is its association with Ford‘s iconic pony car. It wears the famous running horse badges and signature tri-bar taillights. However, the Mustang styling cues feel out of place and tacked-on in crossover form.
The grille-free front end, while aerodynamic, looks unfinished, with an awkward oval-shaped cutout and a gaping lower intake. From the side, the tall and narrow proportions appear more minivan than muscle car, especially with the sloping roofline. The bulky rear hatch also seems needlessly complicated, with separate opening glass.
Inside, there are no Mustang elements besides a horse logo on the steering wheel. The cabin design is more generic-Tesla-minimalist than retro-cool. Using the Mustang name and styling on an EV crossover seems more like a marketing gimmick than a genuinely cohesive design language.
9. Punishing Ride and Road Noise
The Mustang Mach-E‘s sporty looks promise an engaging driving experience, but out on the road the firm suspension tuning and 19- or 20-inch wheels yield a always-busy and often punishing ride. The damping feels underdone, struggling to filter out sharp impacts and road imperfections.
There‘s also a surprising amount of road and wind noise at highway speeds, in part due to the lack of engine sound masking it. While EVs are known for being quiet, the Mach-E allows in more exterior noise than most rivals. Thicker glass and better sound deadening would help justify the price.
The absence of engine rumble also makes the Mach-E‘s interior feel soulless compared to gas-powered Mustangs. There‘s a synthesized "engine" sound pumped through the speakers in Unbridled mode, but it sounds obviously fake. Competitors like the Porsche Taycan and BMW i4 have done a better job with electronic sound generators.
10. Compromised Cargo and Rear Seat Space
Lastly, the Mustang Mach-E just isn‘t very spacious inside given its footprint. While exterior dimensions are similar to compact crossovers like the Ford Escape or Tesla Model Y, the rakish roofline eats into rear seat headroom. The rear bench is also rather low and flat, and legroom is only adequate for adults.
Cargo space suffers too, with a mere 29.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats – less than a Subaru Crosstrek. The front trunk is also comically small at just 4.7 cubic feet (or 4.8 in AWD models). Other sporty crossovers are more practical.
The sharply-angled rear window also makes rearward visibility poor. The thick rear pillars don‘t help matters. While a backup camera is standard, the Mach-E could really benefit from a 360-degree video system, which isn‘t available at any price.
Conclusion
While the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes a strong first impression with its striking looks, potent performance, and eco-friendly mission, its appeal quickly fades when you consider the significant ownership costs, practical limitations, and rough edges.
The sky-high purchase price, expensive maintenance and repairs, range and charging limitations, poor cold weather performance, disappointing interior quality, glitchy infotainment, polarizing styling, stiff ride, and compromised passenger and cargo space all make the Mach-E hard to recommend.
For those looking to switch to an EV without compromise, there are simply better options out there for the money from brands like Tesla, Audi, Kia and Hyundai. The Mustang Mach-E feels like an unfinished effort from a company still learning how to do EVs well. Wait for the next generation or consider a different electric SUV for now.