When Ford announced that it intended to bestow the Mustang name upon its first dedicated EV, it was a polarizing moment for auto enthusiasts. Now that the dust has settled, many Mach-E drivers feel that the car lives up to the name. After making a debut as a 2021 model, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is receiving some noteworthy upgrades. Ford is even welcoming a spicy GT variant to the lineup. 

October 2021 was a great month for Ford EV sales. Sales reached an all-time high of 14,062 EVs and plug-in hybrids in October, a 195% increase year-over-year. Nearly 3,000 of those sales are attributed to the Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s flagship electric vehicle. Mach-E owners love their cars, and over 90% say they would recommend the model to others. Let’s explore why the Mustang Mach-E is making a name for itself among performance enthusiasts and families alike, and what planned updates are in store for the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Ford Says the Mustang Mach-E Embodies the Mustang Spirit

For the first time in the Mustang’s 56 year history, there’s an all-new member of the family. The Mach-E is a muscular SUV with a sleek and undeniably Mustang-inspired design. It combines a spacious compact crossover cabin, a touch of performance, and an EPA-estimated range of up to 300 miles. Following the popularity of Tesla’s giant infotainment screen and panoramic glass room, the Mustang Mach-E features these and much more. The ride is firm but tight in the corners. It’s a very heavy car with a low center of gravity, and that’s felt in the handling. 

The Mach-E is available with standard and extended-range battery options, and each can be paired with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive powered by permanent magnet motors. The more family-oriented extended-range all-wheel-drive configuration targets 346 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, which is on par with the best of the segment. Unlike some EVs, early testing shows the Mach-E getting the mileage that is advertised. InsideEVs testing found that the extended-range rear-wheel drive Mach-E can go 282 miles at constant 70 mph highway speeds, which even beats the 276 miles Tesla’s Model Y achieved in the real-world test. 

Mustang fans were thrilled to learn that a GT Performance Mach-E is hitting the roads in 2022. This Model Y Performance competitor “brings the thrills Mustang is famous for” as Ford puts it, targeting 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque with the Performance package.

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Updates: More Range, Quicker Charging and Better Tech

2022 brings a few updates to the Mach-E’s battery and infotainment. One of the only complaints about the car has been the inconvenient charging curve at DC fast chargers. Once the 2021 Mach-E is over 80% state of charge, the charging rate plummets, meaning that drivers sit around waiting for it to trickle electrons into the battery pack. The 2022 model will fix that, and existing 2021 cars will receive an over-the-air update that will improve charging times for current owners. But for now, the 2021 Mach-E can add 59 miles in ten minutes, and charging from 10%-80% takes about 45 minutes. If you’re new to EVs, this may sound disappointing, but keep in mind that fast charging usually only happens on road trips, where you can take advantage of Ford’s new FordPass charging network partners. The vast majority of charging is done at home overnight. 

Every EV battery includes a buffer of unusable capacity. In 2022, the Mach-E will have a slightly reduced buffer, which translates to a bump in range. A reduced buffer isn’t a bad thing, it simply means that Ford’s engineers have seen enough data to feel confident in how the battery is performing under a range of conditions. The updated range figures haven’t been announced yet, but each trim will likely add at least ten miles.  

The 2022 Mach-E’s 15.5” portrait-oriented infotainment screen receives a few tweaks to improve functionality. CarPlay is now more customizable, and Ford’s navigation system is more useful. Most importantly, the car’s estimation of the state of charge when arriving at a destination is getting more accurate and intelligent. The system can now direct the driver towards alternative charging stations if the intended destination is out of working order. 

Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology will be available as a monthly subscription beginning in 2022. New cars come with a free trial period. BlueCruise allows for hands-free driving on over 100,000 miles of highways, so long that eyes remain on the road. 

Pricing and Incentives 

*The 2022 model year receives a $1,000 MSRP increase. Be aware that many dealers are charging well over MSRP. Shop around, take online dealer listings with a large scoop of salt. It’s best to call the dealer to find out what true pricing is.

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E starts at a base price of $43,895 for the standard range rear-wheel drive variant. Adding AWD to the standard battery pack brings the price up to $46,595 while dropping range to 211 miles. The Premium trim includes a panoramic glass roof, premium interior features, and more. The optional extended range battery lists for $54,100 with RWD and $56,800 with AWD. The fully-loaded GT performance lists for $61,995, which makes for a compelling buy now that the Tesla Model Y dual-motor base version costs roughly the same.

These MSRP’s are before taxes and fees, and the ongoing supply shortage has had numerous Ford dealerships implementing massive markups on their Mach-E’s. Some buyers are paying dealer markups of over $10,000 to get their hands on one. Consider yourself lucky if you can find one at MSRP.

All Ford EV’s continue to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit for the purchase of an electric vehicle. However, there are likely to be major changes to federal incentives in 2022, the details of which are still being worked out in congress. Ford currently builds the Mach-E in Mexico, but that’s expected to change with Ford’s new dedicated EV production facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky. If the Mach-E becomes an American made EV, additional incentives may apply. Several states offer incentives too. In California, New York and others, combined state and federal incentives can bring the effective price of the Mach-E below $35,000. 

CarEdge’s Take On the Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang Mach-E has turned out to be a compelling electric crossover for a large segment of buyers. Whether you’re drawn to sporty handling and excellent build quality or the idea of a family-sized Mustang, this car is worth a test drive (if you can find one). One thing that strengthens the case for the Mach-E is the capability for over-the-air updates. Tesla introduced OTA to the industry, and Ford was the quickest to see the game-changing benefits it brings. If you buy an electric Ford today, there’s a good chance your car will have more range, better performance and even more features a year from now. Plus, with $22 billion in planned EV investment through 2025, there’s no need to worry about EV tech becoming a passing fad. 

Ford’s continued eligibility for the federal EV tax credit is another reason to keep this car high on your shopping list. The Mach-E’s most obvious competitor, the Tesla Model Y, no longer qualifies after the automaker exceeded the 200,000 sale limit. Changes to federal incentives are more than likely on the way, and Ford EV’s may end up qualifying for additional federal incentives. But don’t get too excited about adding the Mach-E to your driveway anytime soon. As of December 2021, shortages and delays are pushing delivery times out to 28+ weeks. That’s at least seven months of waiting! 

What’s your impression of the Ford Mustang Mach-E? Does it live up to the legendary name, or is this a different car altogether? Regardless, Ford is proud of this performance-minded electric crossover. The team at CarEdge will keep you updated as automakers increasingly go electric. Check out the latest Ford Mustang Mach-E listings on our new listing service that features info and insights that empower you to negotiate the best deal every time.