Road trips are a thrilling adventure, but they can also come with their fair share of stress. From navigating through bustling traffic to managing co-driver dynamics and fatigue, the challenges can mount quickly—especially when you’re also trying to drive on the “wrong” side of the road!
Ford graciously invited us to Melbourne to participate in the Mustang Mach-E Drive, alongside our colleagues from Vietnam. Our journey began in the bustling suburb of Essendon, just a short 8 kilometers northwest of the Melbourne CBD, and took us to the picturesque Yarra Valley, renowned for its vineyards and wineries.
Unfamiliar Territory
Our first leg had us tackling the Hume Highway (M31), a vital link between Sydney and Melbourne. As we merged onto this busy freeway, the sheer volume of trucks and passenger cars was stunning. Despite previous experiences driving in right-hand drive countries like Japan and Thailand, nothing prepared us for the intensity of the Australian traffic.
Ours was a “loose” convoy, definitely nothing like the tight lines we’re used to doing in the Philippines. So when I say we only survived because of the Mach-E’s onboard navigation (and our excellent driving/map-reading skills), I am not exaggerating.
Onboard Features that Enhance the Drive
The Mustang Mach-E is equipped with a huge 15.5-inch capacitive touchscreen running SYNC 4A. This features enhanced voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, which worked seamlessly throughout our drive. The Connected Built-In Navigation was invaluable, providing timely visual and audible cues to get us where we needed to go. Although we missed a few turns during our journey, it was a minor hiccup in an otherwise smooth ride. Our unfamiliarity with the terrain and driving rules made what was normally a one-person operation a two-person job. We didn’t even get to take advantage of the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system because we needed to concentrate.
Choosing the Right Drive Mode
Beyond navigation and entertainment, the Mustang Mach-E’s touchscreen also controls vehicle settings and drive modes. For everyday drivers, the operation is straightforward: press the accelerator to move forward and engage the brakes to slow down. However, with available drive modes, the Mach-E’s personality shifts dramatically.
Whisper mode offers softer steering and throttle response, perfect for a laidback drive. It was my go-to setting, delivering instant torque smoothly. Engage mode enhances responsiveness while maintaining comfort, whereas Unbridle mode unleashes the beast within, upping throttle response and improving cornering grip for a truly exhilarating experience. For those in search of track-level performance, the high-performance GT model even includes an Untamed Plus mode!
Navigating with Ease
After traversing sixty-plus kilometers to our accommodations in Healesville, we took a short breather before heading out again. This time, we embarked on what the organizers dubbed the Dynamics Loops, a 16-kilometer journey through the scenic, semi-rural, and forested twisties of the Yarra Ranges region. Driving in Australia for the first time made me realize that it was more frightening to sit in the front seat without the steering wheel than to be behind it. It only took me a few minutes to get my bearings, which included driving over the rumble strips on the centerlines—also known as Audio Tactile Line Marking (ATLM) or profile lane marking (PLM)—with the right tires to help me orient myself with the roads. A little trick I learned from Philippine racing legend, navigator, and friend Jun Espino (+).
I found the Mach-E’s 1-Pedal Drive system very intuitive, making it easier for me to concentrate on steering the vehicle through unfamiliar terrain. Simply lifting off the pedal slows the vehicle down and activates regenerative braking. Because it reduces the use of the brake pedal, it was less tiring for me, plus, apparently, more efficient for recovering energy for the battery.
Feel the Power
To safely showcase the acceleration speed of the Mach-E, we drove to the Coldstream Aerodrome (airport) in the Greater Melbourne area and did century runs in between light planes taking off. The G-force of the Mach-E on its top setting felt like we were taking to the sky, yet we remained well planted on the tarmac. The zero-to-one hundred speeds were below four seconds, according to our colleagues. I was too focused on the road to time our little experiment.
The Mustang Legacy
The Mustang has a storied history dating back to 1964, and while the platform and power source have evolved, the spirit of this iconic muscle car remains intact in the Mach-E. It successfully merges modern technology with the exhilarating driving experience that Mustang enthusiasts cherish.
Although the Mach-E no longer resembles traditional muscle cars, it preserves the iconic fastback shape and its distinctive tri-bar tail lamps that define the Mustang’s identity. A frameless grille with active shutters complements LED projector headlights with automatic leveling, sequential turn signals, and signature lighting. Nineteen-inch machine-finished aluminum wheels enhance its bold, performance-focused appearance.
The Mach-E features a unique E-Latch door system instead of traditional door handles. When the vehicle senses the driver, pressing the B-pillar button unlocks the door, which slightly opens to allow easy entry through a small aerodynamic hook. Rear passengers can open the door using a soft-touch release on the frame. The vehicle is also equipped with power-folding heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and a hands-free power liftgate.
Inside, a panoramic glass roof opens up the cabin, while perforated ActiveX synthetic leather seats offer 10-way power adjustment for both driver and front passenger. Heated front seats, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, and rear air vents keep the cabin comfortable in all conditions. The 402-liter trunk space opens up to 1,420 liters with the rear seats folded down, while the drainable front trunk (frunk) offers an additional 80 liters of storage space capable of storing wet items.
Extended Range and Impressive Power
The Mustang Mach-E’s chassis is expertly designed to maximize weight balance and torque transfer from its all-electric drivetrain. Equipped with a dual permanent magnet synchronous motor that powers all four wheels, it produces a formidable 290 kW (394 ps) and a jaw-dropping 676 Nm of torque, delivering explosive acceleration.
The vehicle is powered by an 88 kWh extended-range lithium-ion NCM battery, offering up to 550 kilometers of range (WLTP). Charging is versatile, supporting both Type 2 (AC) and CCS2 (DC) ports, with AC charging capabilities of up to 11 kW and DC fast charging at 150 kW. With a compatible home wall charger, you can recharge overnight, while a 150 kW DC charger will take the battery from 10% to 80% in just 36 to 45 minutes.
Safety, Driver Assistance, and Connectivity
The Mustang Mach-E is equipped with nine airbags, covering the driver, passenger, front center, front side, rear side, and curtain positions. It does with a 360-degree camera with split view for improved visibility when parking and executing low-speed maneuvers. Standard safety systems include ABS with EBD, an electronic stability program, traction control, and the SecuriLock passive anti-theft system. Driver assistance features include Collision Mitigation, Reverse Brake Assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping System with alert and aid functions, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a Driver Impairment Monitor.
The Mustang Mach-E also comes equipped with FordPass Connect, which allows owners to manage their vehicles via their mobile devices. This system allows access to features like Remote Start/Stop/Climate, EV Charging Status, Battery States of Charge, Charge Session Details, Start/Stop Charging, Target Charge, Departure Times, Preferred Charge Times, Charge History, and AC Charge Rate.
Definitely Still a Mustang
The Mustang may have adopted a new power source and form, but it’s still a whole lot of fun behind the wheel. It has evolved into a more efficient beast that is comfortable, safe, and roomy enough to use as a daily driver with family, yet it can transform into a feisty performance machine at the touch of a button. It brilliantly captures the spirit of freedom and adventure that the Mustang has always represented and stands as a testament to Ford’s commitment to innovation while honoring its storied past. It is this duality that makes the Mustang truly special in today’s automotive landscape.
Ford Mustang Mach-E in the Philippines
The Ford Mustang Mach-E was launched in the Philippines in August 2025 and is available in our market in the sole Premium AWD Extended Range trim. Priced at P3,499,000, it is equipped with an 88-kWh battery with an estimated 550-km range. Color options include Glacier Grey, Star White, Shadow Black, Velocity Blue, and Grabber Yellow colors.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is exclusively available from Ford Alabang, Ford Balintawak, Ford Cebu, Ford EDSA, Ford Global City, Ford Libis, and Ford Marikina.