Introduction - Find the best Ford Mustang Mach-E deals!

When Ford introduced the Mustang Mach-E in 2021 as its first mainstream electric vehicle (EV), the name caused considerable controversy. Enthusiasts argued that this was not a true Mustang and shouldn't be wearing the name. As it turns out, the name didn't deter most consumers, and the Mach-E five-passenger crossover has been quite successful for Ford, helping the brand to its position as the second-best seller of EVs in America, second only to Tesla.

Ford hopes to continue its success with significant updates to the Mach-E for the 2024 model year, which includes the addition of the exciting Mach-E Rally.

Photo: Perry Stern

While the big news for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E is the introduction of the rally-inspired Rally version, other updates for 2024 include:

• New rear electric motor
• Better performance for Mach-E GT
• Longer driving range
• Faster charging
• Access to Tesla Supercharger network
• New Bronze Appearance package
• Refreshed Sync 4A infotainment system

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E comes in four trim levels: Select, Premium, GT, and the new Rally. Prices start at around $40,000 for the standard-range, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Mach-E Select and range up to the new Rally, which has standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and starts at around $60,000.

Previously, JD Power reviewed the 2023 Mustang Mach-E GT. This review focuses on the Mach-E's updates for 2024, driving the new Rally version, and how it potentially impacts its overall consumer appeal.

What Our Independent Expert Says About the Ford Mustang Mach-E - Find Ford charging stations near you

In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally equipped with the following options:

• BlueCruise three-year subscription
• Mobile power cord

The test vehicle’s price was $64,490, including the $1,895 destination charge to ship the electric crossover from the Cuautitlan, Mexico, assembly plant to your local dealership.

Standing Out in the Mach-E Rally - Find the best Ford Mustang Mach-E deals!

Photo: Perry Stern

The new Mach-E Rally gets unique styling features that complement its rally-inspired performance and help it stand apart from other Mach-E variants. Distinctive design elements include a carbonized-gray grille featuring integrated fog lights, a black roof, dual racing stripes on the hood and rear hatch, a unique front splitter, and a stylish rear spoiler inspired by the high-performance Focus RS. The Rally also comes standard with Oxford White rally-style 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin CrossClimate2 all-season tires.

The Rally's interior gets a unique applique on the dashboard, sport pedals, and Oxford White accents on the steering wheel, doors, and dashboard. Ford embosses the performance sport seats with “Mach-E Rally” on the seatback, while the seat frame gets a gloss-white treatment. These features are somewhat subtle. I would have liked to see more differentiation from the rest of the lineup.

Living Up to its Name - Find Ford charging stations near you

For the 2024 model year, all versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E get a new rear electric motor. Built in-house by Ford, the new motor is lighter and more powerful, providing better performance across the board. With this new motor, the Mach-E Rally's dual-motor AWD powertrain delivers 480 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. This is the same powertrain and output found in the Mach-E GT with the Performance package.

In addition to its powerful drivetrain, the Mach-E Rally gets one more inch of ground clearance, rally-cross tuning for the suspension and MagneRide damping system, an aluminum underbody shield, and a unique Rallysport drive mode.

Unsurprisingly, the best way to test this new Mustang Mach-E Rally is on a proper rally course. As luck would have it, Ford invited me to the DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, Washington, to put this auto-crossing EV through its paces.

Set in a beautiful, wooded area east of Seattle, the staff at DirtFish set up a course with sweeping curves, hairpin turns, and long straightaways, all with a loose surface of gravel and dirt. Not unexpected in the Pacific Northwest, it rained all day, adding plenty of standing water and mud to the course.

Climbing into the Mach-E Rally, I chose the RallySport drive mode, specifically designed for spirited driving on loose surfaces. According to Ford, this unique mode provides a more linear throttle with firmer damping for a smoother ride on the rough course. Ford adjusts the stability control to allow more yaw, making it easier to slide the rear of the car.

A gravel surface doesn't provide the same traction as pavement, but with grippy tires, all-wheel drive, and instant access to 700 pound-feet of torque, the Mach-E Rally launched at the start of the course with strong acceleration that shoved me back in the seat.

The Mach-E launched quickly with just the sound of gravel under the tires. As I entered the first corner, I lifted off the throttle, which put weight on the front wheels and lightened the rear. As I flicked the wheel to the left, the rear end slid around, pointing the car in the right direction. I put my right foot down, and with gravel and mud spraying out the back, the Mach-E shot down the track towards the next turn. To say that this was fun would be an understatement.

While tossing a performance car around a rally course can be entertaining, the Mach-E's excellent control made it even more so. Power delivery is smooth and linear—a hallmark of electric powertrains—and the throttle is easy to modulate. Best of all, there never seems to be a lack of power. Brakes are also strong, providing consistent stopping power.

Driving the Mach-E Rally on dirt (or snow, I imagine) is enjoyable, but most owners will spend the bulk of their time on paved roads. The Mach-E Rally boasts the same powertrain as the GT with the Performance Upgrade, so performance is still excellent on the pavement. With a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.4 seconds, the Rally is just 0.1 seconds slower than the GT. Thanks to its rally-tuned suspension, the Mach-E Rally isn't as taut as the GT, but it doesn't give up much in handling while it gains a more comfortable ride.

Faster Charging, Longer Range - Find the best Ford Mustang Mach-E deals!

Photo: Perry Stern

In addition to the other changes, Ford also improves the battery and charging system for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E, extending its range and speeding up the charge time.

The RWD Mustang Mach-E Premium with the extended-range battery is the range leader in the lineup. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it can travel an estimated 320 miles between charges—a 10-mile increase compared to 2023—and earns a rating of 106 MPGe combined. The new Mach-E Rally doesn't do quite as well but still gets a respectable rating of 86 MPGe with a range of 265 miles.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E's charging speed also increases across the board. According to Ford, a Mach-E with an extended-range battery can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 36 minutes—nine minutes quicker than the previous version. The Mach-E with the standard-range battery completes the same task in about 32 minutes.

Ford also offers plenty of public charging options. The BlueOval Charge Network now includes 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers available to Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners. Ford is providing Fast Charging Adapters free to owners who register with the BlueOval Network before June 30, 2024.

Ford gave me a Mustang Mach-E Premium that needed a charge, so I took it to the local Tesla Supercharger. The car had a current registration on the BlueOval network, so all I had to do was connect the adaptor to the Tesla cable and plug in the Mach-E. The Supercharger recognized the car and immediately began charging, with no action needed from me. Charging with the Supercharger is quick. The Mach-E gained 45 miles of range, climbing from 40 percent to 61 percent in just eight minutes.

Cruising with BlueCruise - Find Ford charging stations near you

All 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-Es are available with the latest version of BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free driver-assistance system. I used BlueCruise in the Mach-E during rush hour on I-405 near Bellevue, Washington, and it works great as a stress reliever in stop-and-go traffic.

With the speed set to 65 mph and BlueCruise activated, the Mach-E moved along confidently, staying in the carpool lane as I passed all the stopped traffic in the general lanes. When my lane also came to a halt, the Mach-E smoothly slowed to a stop and then inched along with the rest of the traffic, all without any input from me.

It is essential to mention that while BlueCruise is a hands-free system, it requires the driver to watch the road and has a driver-facing camera to ensure the driver isn't distracted.

Independent Expert Opinion - Find the best Ford Mustang Mach-E deals!

Photo: Perry Stern

The Ford Mustang Mach-E brings a lot to the road with a roomy, comfortable cabin, advanced tech features, and impressive performance. This efficient EV has resonated with customers, making it one of the best-selling electric-vehicle models in America. With the improvements for 2024, the Mustang Mach-E's success should continue, especially with the introduction of the exciting Rally trim.

The Mach-E Rally redefines what an EV can do, delivering excellent performance on pavement and slick, loose surfaces. Priced a bit higher than the equally powerful GT, the Rally adds a new level of fun to the Mach-E.

Ford is the first to build a rally-inspired EV, and the company has proven that an electric powertrain works well in this scenario. Models like the Subaru WRX or Porsche 911 Dakar are worthy competitors in this space, but neither is as quick or efficient as the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally.

Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for jdpower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.