Ford Mustang Mach-E Select 2024 review

Mustang – arguably one of the most iconic nameplates in history. It might be known outside of motoring as a breed of wild horse, however in American car culture, the name spawned the pony car segment and helped create a muscle car era that still continues to this day.

However, when Gale Halderman designed the very first Ford Mustang coupe in 1964, it’s unlikely he would have ever thought there would come a day where the Mustang would ditch its combustion engine for electric motors.

Yes, I know you’re probably saying in your head: “Zak, this is not a Mustang”. And yes, you’d be right.

Not only does the electric Mustang Mach-E ride on its own unique platform, it has also added two doors, an all-electric powertrain and has ditched the iconic 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine.

But upon being given the 2024 Mustang Mach-E Select to evaluate, I couldn’t help but think back to the heritage in the name and find out just how Mustang this new midsize electric SUV really is.

Is it fun to drive and engage like a Mustang? Is it enjoyable? Does it have character?

These are the questions I asked myself, so I set out to find out more through a week of pretty intensive testing.

Some strange part of me wanted it all to be right. Or is this just an example of motoring marketing gone wrong?

Well, let’s find out once and for all.

What are the Mustang Mach-E Select’s features and options for the price?

I’ve been fortunate enough to have already sampled the Mustang Mach-E range at the Australian launch, most specifically the mid-tier Premium and flagship, all-wheel-drive GT. But I’ve not spent extended periods in the base Select until now.

Ford Australia has recently lopped a decent chunk of cash off the Mach-E range, with $7000 taken off the base Select. It’s now priced from $72,990 before on-road costs which still positions the Blue Oval entry-grade EV over $9000 more expensive than one of its biggest competitors, the base Tesla Model Y midsize SUV (from $63,900 list).

But the Select is all the better for it, as the variant was an $80,000 car before on-roads at launch, whereas it’s now a $80,540-driveaway proposition without options.

While the Mach-E Select is positioned more expensive