TG's best electric crossover: the Ford Mustang Mach-E

What is it?

Controversial. Ford decided to keep the traditional Blue Oval badging as far away from the Mach-E as possible, running instead with the whole galloping horse Mustang thing for its all-new, all-electric crossover. The people were outraged. Then the people drove it and absolutely loved it.

The Mach-E was first revealed towards the end of 2019, with its closed-off grille and almost coupe-like styling causing quite the splash. Now we’ve had time to digest it – and have one on a long-term test – we love the way it looks.

Give me some details about the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

In the UK, prices start at £47,530 for a rear-wheel drive Mustang Mach-E with the smaller 70kWh ‘Standard Range’ battery. Ford reckons that’s good for 273 miles on a single charge, with the 265bhp electric motor able to fling the fairly large crossover from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.

Stepping up the Mach-E range, there’s a RWD ‘Extended Range’ option that gets 290bhp and a 91kWh battery for 379 miles on a charge. If you want even more speed (it is a Mustang after all) there’s a twin-motor, all-wheel drive option that’ll set you back £61,480, or there’s the top-of-the-tree Mach-E GT – a 480bhp performance SUV that's quicker from 0-62mph than a 5.0-litre V8-engined Mustang coupe.

Why should I care about the Ford Mustang Mach-E?

There’ll soon be the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck in the US of A, but here in Blighty the Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s only full EV. It’s really rather good too, so it should be an easy transition for all those fiercely loyal Ford fans who want to make the switch to electric.

Even if you’re not a die-hard Fordist though, the Mach-E makes a compelling proposition. The styling is bold and it’s engaging to drive for something of its ilk. It’s perfectly practical too, and that interior with its giant tablet infotainment screen is super sleek-looking and modern-feeling.

Why did you give the Ford Mustang Mach-E an award?

The Mach-E won our Best Electric Crossover award for ticking all of the required Top Gear boxes. There’s a bit of fizz about it to drive – particularly the GT – plus it’s efficient, well equipped and cool inside.

In our Really Quite Big Test for this month’s EV Awards magazine, the all-rounder Mach-E came out on top when up against the Tesla Model Y, the Kia EV6, the Jaguar I-Pace, the Audi Q4 e-tron, the BMW iX3, the Polestar 2, the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Skoda Enyaq iV, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Volkswagen ID.4. Blimey. Whoever said Top Gear doesn’t do consumer testing?

For the full story pick up the Electric Awards issue of Top Gear magazine