This old wisdom “…from the mouths of babes…” probably doesn’t apply to my 21 year old nephew. However, we’ll give the kid credit for succinctly summing up the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD in a few words. During a week-long test drive of Ford’s latest performance vehicle, an all-electric SUV, I took the smart guy out for our usual adventurous dinner and solved all the world’s problems. As he settled into the passenger seat, he noticed the sleek interior imbued with the smell of a new car hewn from recycled materials.
His initial ruling? “I love it. It’s great.” As we drove into the night, he commented that the electric car drove well and was very comfortable. He’s somewhat less than enthusiastic, so it was no surprise when he asked which car took him to his Indian dinner that night. She tapped the center of the steering wheel and the iconic logo of a galloping horse. He looked from that logo around the car and back at me: “No. This isn’t a Mustang. Is it?”
There we have the Mustang Mach-E’s dilemma encapsulated since its arrival in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, when saving the world was on everyone’s mind. The eco-focused EV is a good-looking sporty crossover/small SUV with respectable range. At the same time, it carries a legendary brand that should be reserved for Mount Rushmore cars and not force-welded into a car that Ford wanted to absorb the industry hype.
I’ve owned four Mustangs over the years. My first ride when I was 16 was a very used but lively 1975 Mustang Mach I V8 with 122 horsepower. After I wrecked it while driving between summer jobs (I still have the ball bearing from the transmission), I downgraded it to an underpowered but beautiful 1977 Mustang II Inline-Four. When Ford completely redesigned the look of the Mustang in 1996, I could have bought a brand new V6 version with my first job out of school. Finally, my 2011 Mustang GT 5.0L V8 made a lot of noise when it came off the Mustang stage.
The common element that links all four of these cars to today’s Mustangs is the simple fact that they were all, and still are, coupes. The type of vehicle of a classic model is forever linked to its identity. Ford won’t make an F-150 hatchback, and Lincoln won’t sell a motorcycle calling it the Navigator Lite. It’s not right that an automaker can easily take the most famous car it’s ever made and transplant its badge into a crossover.
However, when judged by what it’s called, the Mach-E Premium AWD is a very competitive electric car. It uses permanent magnet over-axle AC synchronous motors that produce 370 horsepower over its extended range. The physics and nature of torque generated by the electric motor provide exceptional acceleration for high-performance electric vehicles, and the Mach-E Premium packs 500 pound-feet of said torque, resulting in 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.2 seconds.
Maximum range is just north of 300 miles, while the battery charges from 10 percent to 80 percent in 36 to 40 minutes using a DC fast charger. The car connects to an adapter that powers the car from any standard garage or outdoor outlet, but this process requires 8 to 12 hours of continuous charging time.
Inside the passenger compartment, there’s a 15.5-inch vertical infotainment screen mounted somewhat awkwardly in the center of the dashboard. Aside from that, the screen gives easy access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to the standard suite of Ford apps that the company is putting in all of its 2026 devices.
The exterior aesthetics are as graceful as a crossover. The car class is only slightly larger than large hatchbacks. However, the Mustang Mach-E’s designers gave it a nice flowing line from head to tail and a somewhat sporty stance. The only detail reminiscent of the Mustangs of old besides the stealth stallion symbol are the three rectangular taillights.
The driving experience is fun and efficient. The surprise of cruise acceleration comes in handy in traffic, and the range is suitable for any commuter’s needs. My nephew loved the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD, and the fact that it’s an electric vehicle will appeal to a young man interested in social justice and climate change as he settles into his first job.
However, he explained that although the car caught his attention at first glance, the marketing ploy of calling the Mach-E Premium AWD a Mustang struck him as disingenuous. When it comes to an automaker’s formula like the original pony car, authenticity matters.
More car reviews
