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2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E review – Australian launch (video)

The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s first all-electric SUV, has been given a thoughtful update for 2026 (MY2025), bringing more power, improved efficiency, and some light refinements inside and out. Will it be enough to attract EV buyers in this competitive segment?

It’s a model that continues to divide enthusiasts; the Mach-E is not a traditional muscle car, and for many, it doesn’t wear the Mustang badge with complete authenticity. But, on the other hand, do traditional and current EV buyers want ‘muscle car’ themes with their electric vehicle? It’s a difficult one.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium-taillights

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT: Specifications

Electrical: 91kWh battery, 2x electric motors
Output: 434kW / 955Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 20×8.0, 245/44
Weight: 2307kg
Power-to-weight: 5.31:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 515km
Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/150kW
0-100km/h: 5.16 seconds*
Starting price: $98,490

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E: How much does it cost?

Three variants continue on the market, ranging from the Select (RWD), Premium (RWD), to the top GT (AWD). Prices start from $65,990, $80,490, and $98,490, respectively (excluding on-roads).

The entry Select and the GT seem to be the most attractive in terms of price and what you’re getting. Going for the Select gets you quite a big four-door coupe SUV with decent features and for relatively affordable costs, while the GT adds genuine performance with MagneRide suspension and Brembo brakes.

Meanwhile, the Premium doesn’t stack up well against some EV rivals, some of which offer more power or more range (or both) for less money.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT-length

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Interior & packaging

Inside, the cabin delivers a sense of calm sophistication that contrasts somewhat with the bold exterior. There’s a open, modern layout dominated by a vertical 15.5-inch touch-screen running Ford’s SYNC 4A, complemented by a slim digital instrument display. It’s an interface that takes some getting used to, but Ford has wisely retained a dedicated strip for climate controls at the bottom of the screen – a small but appreciated nod to usability.

All three variants come with a 10-speaker B&O sound system with a sub-woofer, which is great if you’re buying one of the entry variants, but those interested in the GT might feel a bit short-changed due to not getting special treatment.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT-interior

In fact, it seems many of the standard features are blanketed across the board, such as a surround-view camera, tyre pressure monitoring, power tailgate, a panoramic roof, and privacy glass. Again, both a good and bad thing, depending what direction you’re headed.

Material quality feels solid throughout, and there’s a noticeable improvement in perceived refinement. The suede-style dash inserts and metallic detailing elevate the ambience, giving it a premium feel. Space up front is generous, aided by a new column-mounted gear selector that frees up room around the centre console for additional storage, now with wireless phone charging.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT-rear seats

Rear passengers enjoy good legroom, though the coupe-like roofline does slightly compromise headroom when climbing in and out. Seat comfort has been enhanced across the board, with 10-way power adjustment now standard for the front row.

And then boot space is also respectable, presenting 402L and expanding to 1420L with the rear seats folded. There’s a 12V socket on the boot wall for added practicality, and you have a 49L tub under the bonnet up front for extra storage – perfect for the charging cables.

Overall, the Mach-E’s interior strikes a pleasant balance between futuristic design and everyday practicality, even if its sporty exterior sets expectations for something a little more aggressive.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT-console

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Powertrain & handling

For the new model Ford has introduced meaningful updates under the skin. The entry-level Select now produces 212kW and 525Nm (up from 198kW) from its single-motor setup, while the Premium drops back to an 88kWh battery with the same outputs but offers the same impressive 600km WLTP range as the previous (91kWh) model.

The real performance story, however, lies with the dual-motor GT. Outputs surge to a substantial 434kW and 955Nm (up from 358kW), propelling it firmly into high-performance EV territory. Ford Australia doesn’t provide 0-100km/h claims but, overseas, the same model does the sprint in around 3.6 seconds.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select

We had a chance to test the acceleration during this launch event on a private airport, but unfortunately the surface had loose stones which resulted in less-than-ideal times. The Vbox showed a best run of 5.16 seconds. Obviously it can run much quicker than that, judging by the 188kW/1000kg power-to-weight ratio.

Despite the added grunt for most variants, the Mach-E remains a heavy vehicle, and that’s evident on winding roads. We didn’t get a chance to sample the Select, but the Premium, with its 2131kg weight, feels good most of the time on a nice road. Push beyond, say, 7/10ths, and you’ll experience a variety of hints that this is not a lightweight sports car.

Ford has made some revisions to the suspension on the Select and Premium to improve comfort and refinement, giving it new sway bars and dampers, but, in our opinion, the steering response remains a bit twitchy and overly-eager, so it’s hard to relax behind the wheel when touring down a bendy road.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT-rear

You can feel the weight shifting around when pushing hard through the corners, so that is good to have that engagement and communication coming though. But the front end sometimes feels reluctant to settle and the weight can creep up on you.

The GT’s MagneRide adaptive dampers are better at managing its mass, giving it a degree of control and composure the lower models can’t quite match. It’s unfortunate that these dampers aren’t available even as an option for the Select or Premium – that would be very sportscar-like.

Charging performance has been improved, with DC fast-charging (max 150kW) reducing 10–80% times to around 36 minutes for the Premium and GT. However, this DC rate still trails behind newer EV competitors that can handle 200kW or more. The inclusion of a new heat pump across the range should improve energy efficiency in extreme temperatures.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E - charge port

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E: First impressions

There’s no question the new Mustang Mach-E is a more complete and refined vehicle than before. It offers respectable performance, decent real-world range, and an inviting interior, all wrapped in a design that remains distinctive and muscular.

However, the driving experience still feels more like a sporty crossover than true sports car. The steering and suspension lack the natural balance and predictability that define great driver’s cars, and that’s perhaps the crux of it – despite the badge, this is not a Mustang in spirit in our opinion.

Viewed purely as a modern EV, though, it’s a solid contender with a stylish presence and a comfortable, tech-focused cabin. Our pick is either the Select or the big-block GT.

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Video

Brett Davis

Brett started out as a motor mechanic but eventually became frustrated working on cars that weren't his. He then earned a degree in journalism and scored a job at Top Gear Australia back in 2008, and then worked at Zoom/Extreme Performance magazines, CarAdvice, and started PerformanceDrive/PDriveTV in 2011 with Josh Bennis. He's now the owner and managing editor here at Driving Enthusiast.

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