With the Mustang Mach-E, Ford aimed to deliver an electric SUV that carried the spirit of the classic Mustang performance car. So far, the Mach-E has been quite successful in living up to this promise. Much like the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible that have various versions, Ford is now seeking to expand its Mach-E lineup.
Introduced in the 2021 model year, the Mach-E is approaching a stage where cars typically get a redesign or a significant update. This comes as more competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Chevrolet Blazer EV enter the market. Rather than opting for a complete redesign, Ford’s standout announcement for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E is the introduction of a new Rally model specifically built for dirt-road driving.
The Mach-E Rally taps into Ford’s history with rally racing and aligns with the current trend of modifying suburban-friendly SUVs for light off-roading. The Rally version comes equipped with raised suspension and dirt-ready tires, paired with a powerful dual-motor system. This model starts at just over $60,000, making it one of the pricier options in the Mach-E range.
The Mach-E integrates Mustang-like design elements into an electric crossover SUV, a somewhat controversial move. However, with the Rally model, Ford is blending its rallying heritage with the Mustang brand. Unlike the Mustang, which is known for its speed on paved roads, the Rally is designed for off-road capabilities.
Notable features of the Mach-E Rally include fog lights embedded in the grille, 19-inch white wheels, a prominent front splitter, a rear spoiler, and racing stripes. These features clearly signal its rally car inspiration. On the practical side, Ford added underbody shielding to protect vital components, increased the ride height by an inch, and incorporated Michelin CrossClimate2 tires for better traction on uneven surfaces.
The Mach-E itself offers a sleek and low design, similar to the Kia EV6, and stands out compared to the retro look of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the more classic Chevrolet Blazer EV, and the minimalist Tesla Model Y. It provides ample headroom and legroom in both front and back seats. Its 4.7-cubic foot front trunk is also slightly larger than that of the Model Y.
Inside, the Mach-E features a minimalist design with a large infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. Despite the simplicity, the interior materials are of good quality for the price. For 2024, the Mach-E continues with Ford’s Sync 4A infotainment system, featuring a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The touchscreen dominates the dashboard, offering functionality with minimal menu navigation, an improvement Ford made through over-the-air updates. These updates have also enhanced Bluetooth connectivity and added more functions for the large analog knob on the screen, now capable of controlling temperature, seat heaters, and audio volume. However, the climate controls on the touchscreen can still be somewhat tricky to use.
Standard in the Rally model are typical driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system is available via subscription, providing a 90-day free trial initially followed by an option to buy a three-year subscription. The updated BlueCruise 1.3, introduced for the 2024 models, focuses on optimizing system behavior for more hands-free driving time, especially on tight curves and narrow lanes.
The Rally’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive system mirrors the most powerful tuning available in the Mach-E GT’s Performance Upgrade package. This configuration generates 480 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque, enabling the Rally to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, comparable to the Tesla Model Y Performance.
What sets the Mach-E Rally apart is its Rally Sport drive mode, which allows for controlled sliding around corners on low-traction surfaces like dirt and mud. This mode loosens the electronic safety net, offering more linear accelerator response for better control through turns.
The Mach-E Rally features a 91-kilowatt-hour battery pack, standard on all but the base Select model. The Rally’s estimated range is 265 miles, slightly less than the 280 miles of the Mach-E GT and the 300 miles for Select and Premium models with all-wheel drive. A maximum DC fast charging rate of 150 kilowatts enables a 10% to 80% charge in 32 minutes, while a complete Level 2 AC charge takes about 10 hours. Ford is also enhancing charging convenience by shipping adapters for Tesla Supercharger compatibility and integrating Intelligent Range route planning in the navigation system.
The Mach-E Rally is backed by an eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty, in addition to a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
While the Mach-E Rally may not be the most practical choice for every buyer, it offers a unique alternative. Other models like the Select and Premium provide many of the same technological features and a pleasant driving experience at a lower cost. The Rally costs about $5,000 more than the Mach-E GT with the Performance Upgrade and provides nearly the same driving experience unless frequently driven on dirt.
Comparatively, the Tesla Model Y Performance offers a lower price and greater range, while the Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N are more expensive and suited to different driving styles. Given the scarcity of affordable EVs, the market might not be clamoring for niche performance models, but the Mach-E Rally is a well-executed addition that emphasizes both styling and performance distinct from its competitors. It highlights that the market can use more rally courses to showcase such vehicles.