2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally | UK Review
Electric SUVs don't tend to be much fun, but most aren't even trying to be - can the new Rally move the goalposts?
The battery-powered family SUV space isn’t one you’d associate with glee. The segment is typically characterised by 15 shades of grey, sustainable upholstery (more grey) and some talk of digital ecosystems or connected lifestyles - that sort of nonsense. There are plenty of worthy cars contained within; just precious few to even feign interest in.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally is very easy to be interested in. Oh sure, it’s merely an option pack for the GT, and the base car remains a long way from perfect; on the other hand, it proves that Ford is still interested in making cars fun to drive. With a bold new electric era on the horizon for the Blue Oval, and most of the SUV alternatives as stimulating as a tax return, that has to be considered good news. Especially given the maker’s apparent determination of late to cancel anything even vaguely enthusiast-focused.
The charm offensive begins with the looks - of course it does. The OZ-alike wheels and Focus RS-style spoiler are great additions, discussion points that immediately draw the eye. That the former look just like the rims on an Escort Monte Carlo its obviously not a coincidence. Grabber Yellow is free if you tick the £2,250 Rally box, and that ought to be all the encouragement needed. Because it’s fun. As are the graphics. And the stripes. Small kids love the Rally overhaul, as do big ones. Perhaps the only disappointment is that the 20mm ride height increase can make the Mustang look a little narrow-tracked at points. Arguably a small price to pay for the welcome sense of silliness.
The interior missed the memo on a Rally rework. To be expected, in fairness, given the modest premium asked, though beyond accents for the seats whiter than veneers, it’s the Mach-E GT driving environment. Which means CarPlay is connected almost before the phone is unlocked, the driver’s display is smart and there’s ample storage - but also the screen can be fiddly when it needs delving into, and there are a few too many cheap plastics for a £70k car. If buttons are largely going to be done away with, those remaining should feel expensive, and these don’t. A physical drive mode button would really benefit the Mach-E experience, as would an Individual setting to save having to prod the screen on the move.
There’s plenty to like once on the move, if a lot that feels familiar as well. While brake and steering feel remain too artificial for any real sense of satisfaction - the brake feel is grabby, the steering overly light— the GT’s notoriously restless ride has been improved. The Rally pack introduces a new configuration for Ford’s Magenride dampers, as well as the ride height increase and the fitment of 19-inch diameter Michelin Cross Climate tyres (an inch smaller than standard). The Mach-E experience is undoubtedly improved for the modifications, comfier and less disturbed by surface changes than it once would have been. Consider it like the Dakar overhaul for a 911, where a little bit of squidge and give actually makes everyday road use at everyday speed more palatable than standard. It’s not as silly a comparison as it might sound, either, given a Rally can sometimes appear to generate as much road noise as a 911…
This is a more entertaining Mach-E as well as a comfier one, which is about as good a win-win as could be hoped for with just a two-grand premium. Of course, the inherent dynamic of plonking a huge 99kWh battery (91kWh usable) in the floor remains, only now with greater scope to impart your say on proceedings with a bit more lean and a bit less grip. A Rally emulates what a Mustang Mach-E would do, just in exaggerated fashion, so a lift to tuck the nose in feels more pronounced, a jab of throttle will rotate the car more dramatically, and any attempts to provoke the car will have a more profound effect. As EVs go, the Mustang was always a reasonably excitable one, and this even more so, yet it stops short of feeling contrived or gimmicky.
And what of the RallySport drive mode? Truthfully, it’s hard to feel a huge amount of difference on the road, designed as it is for ‘off-pavement, sprint-style races’. There are tweaks to throttle response, regen braking, and steering to make it easier to skid on the loose; on the tarmac, there’s a bit more fun to be had, an increased keenness to overspeed the rear wheels, and urgency to deploy all 487hp, though not an enormous amount. It says a lot about the overhaul, however, that taking the Mustang out of RallySport mode, reverting back to standard throttle response, steering weight, and whatever, feels to dull the experience quite a bit. The RS setting (can we call it that?) brings the best from the car without overegging the pudding, which is nice - so often a maximum attack mode feels overwrought.
The fact that you’d want a go on the loose, to revisit the Rally to discover its additional talents, is encouraging. So many fast EVs struggle to offer up much depth to the experience; while the Rally’s USP isn’t exactly easy access - and probably you’d be less enthusiastic to have a go with your own car, despite the underbody protection - Ford deserves credit for making it possible. The Rally won’t sell in huge numbers, and is hardly likely to change the world, but it’s likeable in a way that precious few cars of this ilk can claim to be.
As for the base Mach-E, elements of the package are feeling a bit old now. It isn’t that efficient (concentration at a cruise might yield three miles per kilowatt-hour) and 150kW DC charging no longer looks all that impressive with cars like the Kia EV6 GT sucking down 263kW. Plus there is the small matter of this being a £69,300 car - and that’s with a £7,500 manufacturer discount. Even with further savings to be had in the classifieds (a staggering £14k off retail is the best we’ve seen) this is probably a car for the Ford Rally Sport die-hards after something different, rather than being a compelling alternative to the best this segment has to offer. All that being said, where heat pumps and winter packs and parking assists tend to be the must-haves on a family SUV, the first box to tick on a Mustang Mach-E GT order now has to be the Rally one. The kids will love it, and probably you will like it far more than you’ll ever let on. It offers some hope that the fast Ford isn’t done just yet. But in the relentless world of electrification, that new generation can’t come soon enough.
SPECIFICATION | 2025 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E GT RALLY
Engine: Twin AC synchronous electric motors, 99kWh (91kWh usable) Li-ion battery
Transmission: 1-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 487
Torque (lb ft): 634
0-62mph: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 124mph
Combined range: 316 miles (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 2.9 mi/kWh
CO2: 0g/km (WLTP)
Kerbweight: 2,343kg
Price: £69,300 (price as tested comprising Mustang Mach-E GT for £74,460 plus Rally Pack (Rally Bodystyling with Large Rear Spoiler, 19-inch white Rally Inspired wheels with all-terrain tyres, RallyCross tuned MagneRide suspension with 20mm raised height, RallySport drive mode, bonnet stripes and side graphics, front and rear underbody shields, gloss white inserts on seat backs and steering wheel, Rally embossed seats) for £2,250 and Ford contribution of £7,500.)
And in America, they’re reportedly ditching the Escape (Kuga in Europe) which is their second best selling car after the F150. This smacks of the crazy decision to ditch the Fiesta and Focus in Europe.
WTF are they smoking in Dearborn?
And in America, they’re reportedly ditching the Escape (Kuga in Europe) which is their second best selling car after the F150. This smacks of the crazy decision to ditch the Fiesta and Focus in Europe.
WTF are they smoking in Dearborn?
But yes, a poor range including 3 EV SUVs with significant overlap. It feels like they are heading towards being a solely commercial operation sadly.
The Mach-e is getting on a bit but doesn't seem so bad now in comparison to the Capri! This looks interesting and I welcome the efforts to make something that stands out a little, but it is hugely expensive for something that is now dated.
It's interesting that Bill Ford recently admitted that Ford's European car line-up is not nearly good enough, and even hinted at a return to smaller cars. Let's hope he's finally decided to overrule the Farley madness and bring back cars that people actually want to buy.
I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do with their own dedicated platform. Who knows, maybe they'll look at sales success Renault are having and give us new Fiesta / Focus sized EV's with the chassis dynamics to match their rich heritage?
Fingers crossed. Oh this Mach E? It's a band aid, you'd be nuts to get this over an Ioniq 5N or the A290.
te because of electric for me. Bring back the old days please. te because of electric for me. Bring back the old days please. 
te because of electric for me. Bring back the old days please. But, there are plenty on here that manage to appreciate all types of motive power, I have said before that on here some get like a fussy cat that will only eat the expensive food that looks like Pate, I just take every day I am in a position to own and drive a car as a victory, and if its a nice car then thats great, enjoy what it is and what it does, worry less about what it doesnt do or isnt.
I do fancy an EV, enjoying the Jag XJ, but I havent actually driven an EV (Have you ?) and I think I may like it, but reserve the right not to, just need the opportunity to try one, there you go PH, get some petrolhead EV virgins together and do a feature !
I think you are tying ICE too much into nostaligia, masculinity and whatever, and sure, they have some downsides but those are getting better, there arent many that inspire me, the Taycan I do like and the Jag IPace, plus others are coming out, not after a supermini but the R5 is very appealing.
So, have you driven one ?
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