Each year, the number of hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and fully electric vehicles (EVs) expands dramatically, which means that voting on a winner for AutoTrader’s Best Green Vehicle Over $50K award becomes increasingly difficult. In this category, the vehicles are bigger and better equipped, but also typically feature long-range, extreme performance, high-tech innovation, and eye-catching design. With all that in mind, it’s easy to see why the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E has been voted as the Best Green Vehicle Over $50k in this year’s AutoTrader Awards.
AutoTrader’s jury of more than 20 expert automotive reviewers from across the country looked well beyond those factors and judged the Mustang Mach-E based on a dozen different criteria ranging from driving dynamics, efficiency, powertrain, technology, and more, considering every single vehicle available in this segment before voting on the best one. The Mach-E faced pretty stiff competition from vehicles with differing approaches to the electrified market. How did the Ford Mustang Mach-E accomplish this monumental task?
For starters, the variety and choice within the Mach-E lineup are tremendous. This EV is offered in several different configurations, from a tame $50,495 base model to an $82,995 GT Performance model. That’s a large spectrum of price and performance, making the Mustang Mach-E easy to fit into many budgets, needs, and lifestyles. Drivers can also choose between long-range (88 kWh) and standard-range batteries (68 kWh) as well as rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. That variety helped catch our jurors’ attention.
“The space the Mustang Mach-E competes in is small, with only a handful of EVs on the market that are similar in execution, but it still manages to make a strong financial case,” said AutoTrader Road Test Editor Dan Ilika in his review of the Mustang Mach-E.
Standard-range models with rear-wheel drive will return 370 km of range, while models with all-wheel drive will travel 340 km. Extended-range RWD models manage 483 km, while the AWD versions can travel 435 km. It also supports 150 kW DC fast charging, which will recharge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just 45 minutes. During an efficiency test, the Mach-E consumed just 18.0 kWh/100 km, less than the official combined rating of 23.2 kWh/100 km.
The performance also varies quite a bit, with rear-wheel drive, standard-range models outputting 266 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, and AWD models getting a torque boost to 428 lb-ft. The rear-drive extended-range version is rated at 290 hp and 317 lb-ft, while the AWD model bumps it up to 346 hp and 428 lb-ft. The GT Performance Edition kicks things up a notch with 480 hp and 634 lb-ft. The EV earns its Mustang badge with models blasting to highway speeds in as few as four seconds.
“Overtaking is as effortless as it gets, with the instantaneous torque delivery shoving this crossover around slower traffic in a hurry,” said Ilika in his review.
Beyond the performance and zero-emission credentials of the Mustang Mach-E, the vehicle also impressed jurors with its interior and quality. Materials and trim were a highlight, along with the ergonomic interior design. The vehicle features 841 litres of cargo storage behind the rear seats, as well as a sizable front trunk. The interior is spacious for passengers, with rear seats being just a tiny bit shy in terms of legroom.
The basics of the Mach-E are strong, but Ford also gave this EV a lot of tech to make life safer and more convenient for drivers. From front and rear parking sensors, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, the EV is packed with the latest driver assistance and safety features.
Our expert noted, “As far a technology showcase for Ford, the Mach-E hits the mark.”
The automaker has also promised that its hands-free BlueCruise semi-autonomous cruise control system will be making its way to the Mach-E in the future via an over-the-air update. The vehicle was also rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it one of the safest EVs on the market.
All of that adds up to a compelling electric vehicle that is well-rounded and goes above and beyond what’s expected. The range and charging speeds provide confidence, the tech and interior give the EV some wow-factor, it’s right sized and practical, and its performance will plaster a smile on your face. Add in the plentiful choices of batteries and prices and it’s easy to see why the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E was voted as the Best Green Vehicle Over $50k in this year’s AutoTrader Awards.
Editor’s Note
The green car segment is getting so competitive that next year, we will be dividing up the categories for our awards. This year, we have awards for Best Green Car Over $50K and Under $50K (as that’s typically the cutoff for any government incentives), but next year, we will have awards for Best Hybrid (which includes PHEVs), Best Premium EV Over $50K, and Best Mainstream EV Under $50K, in which only fully electric vehicles will be eligible.
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