![\"mustang-mach-e-mojave-08-26-edit\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788116532_497_0x0.jpg\")
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2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT in the high desert (Mojave).<\/p>\n
Credit: Brooke Crothers<\/p>\n
The Ford Mustang Mach-E hasn\u2019t changed much since it was introduced in 2019. But it\u2019s remarkable how well it\u2019s held up.<\/p>\n
TL;DR: The Mustang Mach-E GT is (insanely) fast, handles well, is easy to charge, and has a solid hands-free driver assist system (BlueCruise). The downside: not a lot has changed physically in the seven years since the Mach-E was introduced. Range: 280 miles for the GT (AWD). It comes with a Tesla Supercharger adapter. MSRP: $65,485. But the MSRP on the 2026 Mach-E Select RWD with BlueCruise is much lower and starts at $37,000.<\/p>\n
Charging at a Tesla Supercharger in Simi Valley, California.<\/p>\n
Credit: Brooke CrothersThe Bad: Needs A Refresh<\/p>\n
Ford CEO Jim Farley made clear that the Mach-E \u2013 at least in some ways \u2013 is less-than-cutting-edge in comments to Office Hours: Business Edition podcast<\/a> in November of 2025. \u201cI was very humbled when we took apart the first Model 3 Tesla and started to take apart the Chinese vehicles. When we took them apart, it was shocking what we found,\u201d Farley said. Ford found that the Mustang Mach-E had about one mile (1.6 km) more electrical wiring than a Tesla, which added extra weight to the vehicle, requiring a larger \u2013 and pricier \u2013 battery. <\/p>\n The Good: BlueCruise Driver Assist<\/p>\n But there\u2019s a lot that\u2019s positive about the Mach-E. Ford\u2019s BlueCruise is one of the few good Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) out there. And it is truly hands-free. I would say BlueCruise 1.5 is on par with General Motors\u2019 Super Cruise, Rivian\u2019s Autonomy Platform and Lucid\u2019s newest version of DreamDrive. Only Tesla\u2019s Full Self-Driving (FSD) is superior. ADAS will only get more important going forward. Think: Tesla Cybercab and Waymo and Zoox robotaxis. And all the vehicle autonomy that\u2019s happening in China. That\u2019s where the car world is headed (whether you like it or not).<\/p>\n Once engaged on mapped highways, BlueCruise handles most of the highway driving duties \u2014 steering, acceleration, braking, and following distance \u2013 and when approaching slower traffic, BlueCruise 1.5 can autonomously initiate and execute an overtake and return to the slower lane once clear. In moderate traffic conditions, BlueCruise executes all of the above smoothly and predictably without requiring driver input.<\/p>\n Like every advanced driver assist system out there, it has its limitations. But I don\u2019t want to single out Ford. This is common to all ADAS, even the best. That includes: too conservative with overtakes in heavier traffic (forcing the driver to intervene) and sudden BlueCruise disengagement. The latter can be especially vexing because you\u2019re assuming the car is driving itself and you may not be prepared for a sudden shutdown. <\/p>\n What Most Americans Don\u2019t Get About ADAS<\/p>\n Despite heavy traffic and edge-case limitations and occasional disengagements, hands-free systems like BlueCruise 1.5 are necessary going forward as drivers get increasingly distracted by their devices and in-vehicle screens. A car with an active ADAS is much safer than a distracted driver. A good ADAS is always focused on the road and never gets distracted. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll be using an ADAS eventually. And a good ADAS makes a long, grueling road trip enjoyable because it takes over the highway driving duties. (Try BlueCruise on a long, ruler-edge straight California desert highway and you\u2019ll never go back.) <\/p>\n Charging at the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, squeezed between a Model Y and Model 3 at the end. <\/p>\n Credit: Brooke Crothers<\/p>\n Tesla Diner in Hollywood in late August. I charge there often, depending on the week.<\/p>\n Credit: Brooke CrothersCharging: A Breeze<\/p>\n Easy charging is a must for any EV. I can\u2019t count the times that I\u2019ve gone to war with chargers at Electrify America. If that happens too many times, it\u2019s a valid reason for some people to go back to gas. That never happens (in my experience) at Tesla Superchargers. With the Mach-E you attach the Tesla adapter, plug it in and the vehicle starts charging immediately. I went from 20 percent to a 90 percent charge in about 30 minutes. <\/p>\n Speed, Comfort<\/p>\n Speed: First of all let me say that many of the newer AWD EVs I test are fast. Insanely fast. I recently tested a 2026 AWD Subaru Uncharted EV<\/a> that was shockingly fast. The Mach-E GT is in that league. Newer higher-trim AWD EVs are so fast and have such neck-snapping torque that they almost seem \u2013 for lack of a better description \u2013 to get ahead of themselves. EVs like the Mach-E GT accelerate so fast that if you\u2019re not prepared you can lose control. On an open stretch of a four-lane California desert highway, you can be going over 100 MPH almost instantly without even realizing it. Point: proceed with caution when mashing the accelerator.<\/p>\n