Ford has a rich history of innovation and leadership in the industry. It has built some of the best vehicles of all time, revolutionizing sedans, SUVs, and trucks. One of the brand’s most legendary models is the Mustang. The Mustang is known for putting American muscle on the map and inspiring decades worth of pony cars that have imitated its good looks and performance. Continuing its tradition of industry leadership, Ford has jumped at the opportunity to develop an exciting electric SUV as an answer to today’s changing market. While everyone could have guessed that Ford would deliver a thrilling electric SUV, no one could have imagined that it would be named after one of the best-selling sports cars of all time: the Mustang.
The Mustang Mach-E took a lot of people by surprise. No one was expecting an SUV to be named after Ford’s legendary performance car. There is a lot of significance when an automotive brand names a model. Years of research and development go into each new vehicle, so it was no accident that Ford chose the Mustang moniker for its first-ever electric SUV. The Mach-E part of the name is equally legendary. It is derived from the Mach 1 variant of the first-generation Mustang, signifying a new beginning for the model. Of all the Ford SUVs that have been around, the Mustang Mach-E holds a special place in the lineup as the first electric SUV for the brand.
Filling Legendary Shoes
When Ford took inventory of the market in the late 1950s, it discovered an opportunity to design a vehicle tailored to the needs of young drivers. There was a lot of growth in the population and the number of families deciding to purchase a second vehicle. In the four years from 1959 to 1963, the number of families that owned two or more cars went from one million to thirteen million. A lot of these new car purchases centered around getting something affordable, well-designed, and sporty. After tireless research and development, Ford came out with three different prototypes, including one with European styling and another with a mid-engine design. However, the third prototype, with its traditional sporty looks, became the Mustang that would premiere in the fall of 1962.
The popularity of the Mustang took no time to shoot into the stratosphere. Ford was able to get the Mustang featured in ads on all three major networks at the same time. Everyone watching ABC, NBC, and CBS saw the new Ford from their couch. Mustang sales hit 420,000 units by the end of its first year on the market, marking the most successful car launch in history. By 1966, Ford had built its one-millionth Mustang. The Mustang thrived with its intended audience and created a legacy that’s still very much remembered today. The Mustang is still around, now entering its 60th year of production.
The Original vs the SUV
Ford didn’t make the decision to borrow the Mustang name for its electric SUV lightly. The Mustang Mach-E was designed with equally-impressive performance, sharp handling, and an ability to incite excitement. If the pivot to electricity has to happen, why not make it as thrilling as possible? Well, that’s what Ford did. This SUV offers plenty of power, all the best safety and driver-assistance features available today, and an exquisitely comfortable cabin to experience it all in.
Let’s get into the Mustang Mach-E first. The 2023 Mustang Mach-E is available in four different trim levels, including the Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT. Five different powertrains are available with two battery sizes and the choice between rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base model is reasonably quick, producing 266 hp with a zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. Adding the larger battery pack and all-wheel drive boosts performance, but you will have to opt for the GT trim to enjoy the car’s full 480 hp and zero to 60 mph time of 3.8 seconds.
The horsepower and torque of the Mustang Mach-E make it very comparable to the sports car from which it gets its name. While it’s and handles beautifully, there are major differences that arise from it being an SUV. It’s a lot larger, with 29.7 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the second row and 59.7 cu.ft. behind the first row. It offers tons of comforts like a 15.5-inch touchscreen, an E-Latch that opens the doors at a touch, a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Roof, and available hands-free highway driving on compatible roads. You get the best of Ford’s innovative technologies, all wrapped in an SUV body that allows you to sit higher and see more of the road ahead.
Traditional Thrills
As for the 2023 Ford Mustang, the latest models offer thrill-seeking drivers plenty to be excited about. With six trims to choose from, there is a wide range of fun powertrains and features available to build the Mustang that best suits your lifestyle. For 2023, choose from the EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, Mach 1, and Mach 1 Premium. Each one delivers the hair-raising performance the Mustang is best known for. In the EcoBoost trims, you get a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with up to 330 hp when you add the High-Performance Package. The EcoBoost trims have racetrack handling and conquer sharp turns like a champ.
Moving to the GT trims means enjoying a 5.0L V8 engine that produces 450 hp. Finally, the Mach 1 trims have a specially-tuned 5.0L V8 that offers 470 hp and chassis upgrades borrowed from the Shelby GT350 and GT500. Every trim can be configured with a 10-speed automatic transmission or a hands-on six-speed manual.
The 2023 Mustang lineup can be upgraded with the available 2.3L High-Performance Package and the EcoBoost Handling Package, which adds 19-inch by 9.5-inch Magnetic-painted aluminum wheels, Pirelli P-zero Corsa tires, a MagneRide Damping system, and a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip rear axle. The MagneRide Damping system alone adds an unexpectedly smooth ride quality by responding 1,000 times per second to changing road conditions. You can choose between selectable drive modes that optimize your ride, including Normal, Slippery, Sport, Track, and Drag Strip.
The aerodynamic design of the Mustang dictates the interior and exterior dimensions. While it’s not as roomy as the Mustang Mach-E, it still offers plenty of comfort and conveniences. It has a spacious trunk, available heated and ventilated seats, an available heated steering wheel, eye-catching stitching, and an available 12-inch fully configurable digital gauge that’s unique in its class.
Comparable Performance, Tough Choice
Any time Ford uses the Mustang moniker, the brand means business. Both the SUV and the sports car deliver quality performance, impeccable design, and a cabin that’s equally inviting and comfortable. Between the two, there are no sluggish powertrains and no shortage of performance and handling. Both deliver plenty of opportunities to have a great time when you get behind the wheel. Plus, both will turn heads everywhere you go. The classic Ford Mustang allows you to rev your gas-powered engine to your heart’s desire. Meanwhile, the Mustang Mach-E gives you the all-electric thrills the automotive market has been moving towards. Whichever you choose, you’re always in for a good time with a Mustang.
