The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition is a lot like a disposable camera. No, I’m not damning with faint praise, but just like those old-school image-capturing devices, this lovely all-electric SUV is pretty much a point-and-shoot affair. Get the nose facing where you want it, then pull the trigger and this vehicle will drop-kick you with ferocity that literally takes your breath away.
The GT Performance Edition is the most driver-focused version of the Mach-E you can get. This equine-themed utility vehicle packs a 480-horsepower wallop — the same amount you get in the standard GT model — though it’s also graced with 634 pound-feet of torque, 34 more than its lesser sibling packs. Hitting immediately off the line thanks, in part, to standard all-wheel drive, that mountain of twist is enough to rocket this stylish SUV from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a Ford-estimated 3.5 seconds (with a 1-foot rollout), the same as a Tesla Model Y Performance. In our testing, however, the GT Performance Edition is slower than that, but only slightly. It needed about 3.7 ticks of the stopwatch to reach mile-a-minute velocity when we took it to the dragstrip last year, though that’s still a damn-impressive showing. We have a full video feature on racing the Mach-E, so make sure to check it out if you haven’t already.
Unless you’re an expert at dining and dashing, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. This SUV’s explosive acceleration comes at the expense of range. Like other Mach-E’s with the extended-range battery pack, the GT Performance Edition’s lithium-ion electron reservoir has 91 kilowatt-hours of usable capacity, which provides an EPA-estimated range of 260 miles. That’s a respectable figure to be certain, though it is 10 less that what the standard GT model offers and it falls far short of what more mainstream Mach-E’s can muster. A rear-drive California Route 1 model, for instance, can go up to 314 miles between charges. As for the Model Y Performance, arguably this Mustang’s chief competitor, it matches the Ford’s 0-to-60 performance and offers 303 miles of range. You can complain about Tesla’s business practices and build quality, but that combo is hard to argue with.
Another minor disadvantage to this GT, and every Mach-E for that matter, is charging speed. The vehicle’s DC fast-charge capability maxes out at 150 kilowatts, a good but not spectacular figure. In comparison, the closely related Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 both top out at 235 kW, something enabled by their switchable battery architecture that can run on either 400 or 800 volts. The Mach-E does, however, have a slight advantage over the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4. Its maximum charging rate is 135 kW.
When it comes to efficiency, this Ford is rated at 88 miles per gallon equivalent city, 75 MPGe highway and 82 combined. According to the EPA, this high-performance SUV is expected to consume 41 kWh per 100 miles.
The Mach-E GT Performance Edition’s thundering straight-line performance is undeniably impressive, but the rest of its dynamics are a little less remarkable, mostly because this fast, fun filly weighs a couple grocery bags shy of 5,000 pounds. For all the benefits EVs offer, lightness ain’t one of them. Still, despite its considerable heft, this SUV drives well. The standard magnetic dampers provide a ride that is mostly smooth, well controlled and vastly superior to Mach-E’s not fitted with such fancy shock absorbers. Lesser models feel surprisingly bouncy and busy, even on smooth roads.
Noticeably changing the Mach-E’s character, three driving modes are included. Whisper is the smoothest and quietest, providing a serene, comfortable experience. Engage is for normal use and strikes a nice balance between the extremes. Finally, Unbridled appreciably increases the accelerator pedal responsiveness, plus it firms up the suspension and handling. This vehicle’s steering is precise enough and nicely weighted, especially in Unbridled mode, though there’s almost no road feel, which is not uncommon these days.
Driven carefully with the one-pedal mode engaged, you almost never have to use this SUV’s brakes, which, on the plus side, feel completely natural as they transition from regenerative to friction braking. Driven in anger, however, the stopping performance is strong, enough to keep the vehicle’s 2.5 tons in check. Compared to regular GT models, the Performance Edition has slightly larger front rotors and swanky red calipers. Overall, the Mach-E’s driving experience is engaging, even if it feels a bit synthesized, again, very point and shoot.
Inside, the Performance Edition features nicely bolstered front seats that are both more supportive and comfortable that what you get in regular Mach-E’s. They hold you in place without being overly aggressive. The second-row bench seat is adult-friendly, too, able to accommodate a pair of 6-foot-tall passengers with ease.
Not only does it haul ass and comfortably accommodate adults, the Mach-E GT Performance Edition is a versatile schlepper as well. It has 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat. The roof height is a little low, definitely more hatchback than SUV, but when you fold the 60/40-split backrest down that figure swells to a whisker shy of 60 cubes, an impressive amount. Beyond that, the spacious front trunk gives you another 4.7 cubic feet to fill with life’s myriad sundries. In comparison, the ID.4 and Ioniq 5 offer remarkably similar amounts of interior storage space.
The rest of this Mustang’s cabin is entirely pleasant. The ActiveX imitation leather feels good and the seats’ suede-like Miko inserts help keep your backside planted. Soft materials are used where they count, like on the door panels and center console, though much of the dashboard is made of hard plastic. Fortunately, this material feels sturdy and looks premium thanks to its matte finish and interesting diamond pattern.
The Mach-E’s 15.5-inch portrait-style touch screen is impossible to ignore. After a little practice, the Sync 4A infotainment system becomes intuitive, though it’s not quite as responsive as I’d like. No, it’s not completely laggardly, but Apple and Tesla products are noticeably snappier.
The SecuriCode touch-sensitive number pad on the driver’s side B-pillar is a Ford mainstay and a highly useful feature the automaker’s offered for decades. With a five-digit PIN, you can lock and unlock all the doors and even pop the trunk. This is super handy if you’re going out for a hike or spending a day at the beach. You can leave your keys in the center console, go out and about without worrying about losing them, and then come back and open your car and drive home. Bringing this idea into the 21st century, the FordPass app allows you to use your smartphone as a key, so there’s no need to carry the fob around. This app also lets you keep track of your vehicle’s location and state of charge, among many other things.
The GT Performance Edition offers all the fancy features you’d expect these days, amenities like blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering and automatic high beams. One of the most useful advanced driver assistance features is BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free highway helper. This system operates on some 130,000 miles of approved divided roads in North America. When engaged, the system does all the steering, stopping and accelerating, you just have to stay alert and ready to intervene if the system requests it. While not as polished or feature rich as the latest version of GM’s Super Cruise, BlueCruise works very well most of the time, though it’s not quite as sure of itself and occasionally disengages.
Decidedly unlike a disposable camera, the Mach-E GT Performance Edition is not cheap. As it sits, this Dark Matter Gray Metallic beauty checks out for a whopping $69,200 including $1,100 in destination fees but before any available incentives or tax credits. Fortunately, you don’t have to drop 70 grand to own a Mach-E. The entry-level version starts at just about $45,000, though it offers nowhere near as much performance or as many features. Unfortunately, if you like this SUV, the Mach-E’s current model year is sold out and you can’t even order one. Examples are kicking around dealerships, though they likely have huge markups, so if you’re desperate to park one in your garage, you’re probably better off waiting.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition isn’t perfect — what vehicle is? — but this battery-powered SUV looks great, drives well and delivers organ-scrambling straight-line acceleration. If you don’t mind the somewhat video game-like feel, this is an all-around excellent EV.
At a glance
- Year: 2022
- Make: Ford
- Model: Mustang Mach-E
- Trim: GT Performance Edition
- Type: High-performance electric SUV
- Horsepower: 480
- Torque (lb-ft): 634
- MPGe ratings (city/highway/combined): 88/75/82
- EV range: 260 miles
- Pros: Strong acceleration, premium interior, ample cargo space, plenty of tech
- Cons: DC charging rate isn’t the fastest, feels a bit like a video game
- Price as tested: $69,200
