2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1

When the Mach-E debuted in 2021, some die-hard fans were indignant that Ford would slap the Mustang moniker on a crossover SUV powered by electrons. Most of that hullabaloo has died down because, regardless of its name, the Mach-E is an impressive car that delivers the goods. It was our top-scoring vehicle in 2022, and it hasn’t changed much—mainly expanding its EV range and features list. For the 2024 Guide, we tested the California Route 1 version, which has a powerful and efficient drivetrain (346 hp) with good throttle response, all-wheel drive, and an extended driving range (312 miles). The Mach-E is fun to drive, and its roomy cabin (for front-row passengers, anyway) is quiet, although the car's heavy curb weight delivered jolts when we drove over bumps and on irregular road surfaces. Ford's full suite of advanced safety features, Co-Pilot360—including BlueCruise, which allows hands—free driving on some highways—is standard. Nonetheless, Ford has a few kinks to straighten out. Not everyone liked the cabin's minimalist, un-Mustang-like design, with its huge, 16-inch tablet on the center console. Because the tablet lacks knobs or hard keys, it's nonintuitive to operate, and some menus require multiple steps to complete simple tasks. Additionally, the powered liftgate isn’t standard, and the panoramic glass sunroof has no shade feature