What's the difference?
Australian EV buyers seem to be missing the point of the Mustang Mach-E.
Yes, Ford’s exorbitant early pricing did not help – which the mid-sized EV has yet to recover from. And the V8-muscle-car image – and baggage – that the Mustang prefix brings no doubt confuses and even repels some people. Especially eco-conscious ones.
But it’s not that complicated. The Mach-E is merely meant to be a sporty, stylish and attainable family car, albeit with electric power.
Five years on from its US launch, does the 2026 Series II facelift keep up with newer and fresher electric SUV alternatives? And is it worth the premium that the Mustang badge commands?
The first two things any new starter who arrives in the design department of Jeep’s headquarters in Ohio is told are, 1) The bathrooms are here and, 2) Don’t change the Wrangler.
Okay, I made that up, but it’s probably not far from the truth, because the Wrangler isn’t just iconic for Jeep, but iconic for the entire car world in a similar way to the Porsche 911 and the Ford Mustang.
The Jeep Wrangler is the equivalent of a Hollywood superstar - the Clint Eastwood of the car world - with its design that stretches all the way back to the iconic little off-roader purpose-built for the US Army in World War II.
So, how do you make changes without changing the recipe? Well, the Wrangler has been updated and we went to the Aussie launch to see what’s changed.
EV buyers who don’t or won’t see the point of the Mustang Mach-E are missing out.
This is a sporty and fun-to-drive electric SUV in the same way that the Ranger is the sporty and fun-to-drive ute. In other words, a lot of what makes Fords brilliant is alive and well here, without compromising functionality. The opposite of so many Chinese electric SUVs that shine brightest on the showroom floor, then.
Yes, a base Select that is around $10K cheaper to start with might help punters see the light even more clearly (and that's our choice), and it is starting to look dated inside and out, but overall, the Mach-E is an enjoyable, fulfilling and practical family proposition.
The changes to this updated Jeep Wrangler are small but meaningful. The inclusion of airbags, the updated media screen, and a feisty engine which suits the plucky nature of this off-roader make it a better Wrangler than ever. Â
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.