2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select review - Long-term owner

Multimedia and safety technology: 7/10

There's a huge iPad tablet in the centre console. There's everything you need tech-wise and nothing you don't. No stupid modes or gimmicks. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I like the fact it has a separate screen for a dashboard, too, unlike the Tesla. Unfortunately, my wife has Apple and I have Android. After she drives the car, it will only connect via Bluetooth and will not enable Android Auto. Strangely, the next drive Android Auto works just fine. Allegedly, she has a same problem vice-versa. When you tap around the screen it's also a bit jittery. So there is room for improvement. The iPad screen concept feels a bit dated now, but I still like it.

The app for anyone under the age of 30 sucks. All you can do is basic functions such as unlock/lock the car, turn on air-con and see how charged the battery is. Oh, and your wife can stalk you by tracking the location. There's no party tricks. Suits me, though. The app at least seems to work quite well and I've never had any issues with it.

Practicality: 9/10

Given it's diminutive size, it's superbly practical. It swallows up the kids' sporting gear with ease in the boot. It's 'vegan leather' vinyl interior is very easy to keep clean, too. I'd argue it's too big for inner city driving, but some would beg to differ. Nice little touches include a 12V outlet in the back boot and decent lighting. It doesn't have a spare tyre though.

Tall people can very comfortably sit in the back seats without their head touching the glass roof. While I've never had reason to use it, the frunk can only fit maybe a small, cabin-baggage size suitcase. So it's marked down only because of that. But it's better than a smack in the chops, as my mum would say.

Driving: 8/10

Being electric it's very agile when moving around car parks etc. Put it in gear and there is no lag. That can be hard to get used to. While it's not fast off the line, like all electric cars it's very fast at rolling speeds. Yes, I'm an electric-car noob. But, frankly, I think the GT twin motor would be too much. It's not obscenely fast, but it is certainly is toey. Toey enough to be an excellent daily driver.

My last car was a Subaru Levorg. At first I thought the Mach-E is not much bigger than the 'Vorg. About a week later I realised it's much bigger and a completely different beast. The 'povvo' Select pack is also rear-wheel drive. On dirt or in the wet, it will get a bit sideways. But there's thousands of lines of code keep the fat 'Stang on the straight and narrow - whether you like it or not. Most of the time I'm grateful for that. But sometimes, just sometimes I would like to get the arse out just a touch. Too bad.

The 19-inch rims are a bit reluctant during hard cornering. On one occasion under duress it felt like Mr Rim and Mr Tyre-Bead were about to part ways. This is no track pack, it's a snack pack. And I forgive it for less than aggressive cornering because it's so supremely comfortable to cruise in. My wife, who was reluctant, admitted there were no regrets with this purchase because it's just so damned comfortable.

Running costs: 9/10

If you're an EV fan boy, you will know this stuff already. If not, keep reading! Servicing is absurdly cheap. The first service was about $140. Then again all they do is wash and vacuum, diagnostic test and rotate the tyres. My last car cost $360 a service, so I already feel like I'm winning.

Insurance is a bit of change around $1800 fully comprehensive. Nothing to write home about but not that bad.

Using the Evie charger network, a full charge would cost me around $30 and takes about 35 minutes. When I had to drive from Melbourne to Ballarat for work, I laughed all the way home because it only cost $20 to fully charge the car at country rates. That trip in the old car would've cost me about $140 in fuel and parking.

Charging at home with a 10-amp trickle charger will take 20-30 hours. That, as yet, has had no noticeable impact on our power bill (TBD). Oh, yeah, the car doesn't come with this, so budget another $400 for a trickle charger or pony up for a proper home charger ($2000-3000 installed).

Range-wise, it's winter now and I'm only getting about 300km per 80% charge. In summer it was more like 340km. I'm genuinely hoping that this is because of winter and not battery degradation on a brand-new car. I know there's a correlation between lower mileage and winter in Europe and the US, but it's Melbourne, man! It's not that cold. So if you need the range, go the higher-spec models. For my bougie, inner-urban usage, it's more than fine. I probably charge once or twice a week maximum.

Reliability: 9/10

Aside from the battery life in winter and alternating between Android and Apple connectivity, no issues so far.