Why an Engineering-Focused EV Owner Settled on a Ford Mustang Mach-E
For someone who spends his career explaining how cars work, choosing a personal vehicle is unlikely to be a simple decision. Every feature, compromise, and engineering detail receives close scrutiny. That has made one electric-car enthusiast’s recent vehicle journey especially interesting: after moving from a Tesla Model 3 Performance to a Lucid Air, he has now settled into a used Ford Mustang Mach-E Performance.
The Ford was not the original plan. The electric crossover became the practical answer after several other options failed to work out, including a planned Rivian purchase and an attempted arrangement involving a Lucid Gravity.
For years, the Tesla Model 3 Performance served as a dependable electric daily driver. Its acceleration, efficiency, and driving dynamics made it an appealing choice for someone who values performance and technical sophistication. However, changing personal circumstances led to a decision to stop supporting the Tesla brand. That left the search open for another EV capable of combining speed, comfort, and everyday usability.
The next choice was a Lucid Air. With its advanced electric powertrain, impressive efficiency, luxurious interior, and long-distance capabilities, the sedan seemed like a natural fit. Lucid has developed a reputation for producing some of the most technically advanced electric vehicles available, particularly when it comes to drivetrain efficiency and high-speed range.
Unfortunately, ownership did not turn out as expected. Problems and frustrations eventually made the Lucid more trouble than it was worth. A later attempt to use a Lucid Gravity as a temporary vehicle also failed to provide a smooth solution. The electric SUV had been offered as a long-term loan while waiting for another vehicle, but even a free car was not attractive enough to overcome the difficulties involved.
The preferred replacement was supposed to be the Rivian R2. After experiencing the smaller electric SUV, the buyer came away impressed and wanted to wait for one to arrive. The problem was timing. Delivery was not expected until the end of the year, while an immediate daily driver was needed in the meantime.
There was also an effort to find a Genesis GV60, preferably in a distinctive bright yellow color. That search did not produce the desired result either. With the Rivian still too far away and the other alternatives unavailable or unsuitable, attention turned to Ford’s electric Mustang crossover.
The resulting purchase was a 2022 Mustang Mach-E Performance finished in Cyber Orange Metallic. The model provides 480 horsepower and has an EPA-rated range of approximately 260 miles. It also includes Ford’s adaptive magnetic suspension system, which can adjust the vehicle’s behavior quickly and helps provide a balance between handling and ride comfort.
Some of the Mach-E’s appeal comes from features that may seem ordinary but have become less common in newer vehicles. Unlike many modern EVs that place nearly every function behind a touchscreen, the Ford retains physical controls for important tasks. The gear selector, windshield wipers, lights, and volume can all be operated with dedicated hardware.
That arrangement proved to be a major benefit after living with vehicles that rely more heavily on touchscreens and software-based controls. Physical switches are easier to operate without looking away from the road, and they tend to provide a more immediate sense of how the vehicle is responding. For a driver who spends a great deal of time evaluating automotive design, those details can have a significant effect on daily satisfaction.
The Mach-E is not without weaknesses. Its central display can feel slow to respond, creating delays when navigating menus or changing settings. The door handles are another source of frustration because their operation is less intuitive than conventional handles. These issues may appear minor in isolation, but they are encountered repeatedly during normal use and can shape a driver’s overall impression of a vehicle.
Charging performance is another compromise. The Mach-E Performance requires roughly 40 minutes to recharge from 10 percent to 80 percent under suitable conditions. That is not disastrous, but it is less competitive than the fastest-charging EVs on the market. Real-world highway testing has also shown an effective full-charge range of about 212 miles, which makes the Ford less appealing for frequent long-distance travel.
For daily driving, however, those limitations have not outweighed the advantages. Instant electric torque makes the Mach-E quick and responsive, while the quiet cabin creates a calmer experience than a conventional gasoline-powered car. Electric propulsion also eliminates many routine maintenance tasks associated with internal-combustion engines, including oil changes and other service requirements.
The result is a vehicle that may not be the perfect road-trip machine, but it works well as an everyday commuter and errand-runner. The owner still has a gasoline-powered Mustang available, yet the electric Ford handles most trips. After experimenting with several highly anticipated EVs, the Mach-E became the practical choice—not because it was flawless, but because its strengths fit everyday life better than its alternatives.