More than six decades after the Mustang became a legend, Ford has decided to once again transform its icon into a trailblazer: this time with an electric model called the Mustang Mach-E. Will this smooth crossover retain the spirited exuberance of the legend? Travellive spoke with Instructor Nguyen Hong Vinh to find out.

In the memories of many generations of car enthusiasts, the Ford Mustang is not simply an American muscle coupe. The car with the horse logo has become a symbol of boldness, freedom, and youthfulness. But more than six decades have passed since the Mustang was first introduced, and the world has changed significantly, forcing the automotive industry to constantly adapt and stay ahead of trends.

Recently, Ford Vietnam announced a comprehensive strategy to upgrade the electric vehicle experience in Vietnam, bringing the Mustang Mach-E closer to customers through the development of a synchronized service ecosystem. This ecosystem is built around real-world usage needs, including solutions for home charging, mobile charging, fast charging at dealerships, connection to over 350 public charging stations, 24/7 emergency charging service, pick-up and delivery support, and integrated payment via VETC, aiming to provide a more seamless and convenient experience for electric vehicle users.

In parallel, the Mustang Mach-E is positioned as an electric SUV that embodies the performance spirit of the Mustang combined with modern electrification technology, meeting diverse needs with powerful performance, advanced safety systems, and flexible space for both urban commuting and family use.

In August 2025, this electric SUV was launched as part of Ford's 30th anniversary celebration in Vietnam, with the Premium AWD version priced at VND 2.599 billion. To date, Ford Vietnam has further adjusted its pricing strategy to expand accessibility, bringing the Mustang Mach-E down to VND 1,699,000,000, effective from April 1, 2026. This is coupled with a series of support policies such as free charging for 5 years and 24/7 emergency charging service, contributing to a complete electric vehicle ownership experience for customers in Vietnam.

This is Ford's first electric vehicle launched in Vietnam, and this shift has led many car enthusiasts to question: Does this car still retain the true Mustang character?

To answer this question, Travellive had a conversation with Mr. Nguyen Hong Vinh - an instructor about cars and who has personally test-driven all three versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Since its introduction, the Mustang has built its brand on the thrill of acceleration and the free-spiritedness of a pure American coupe. So, as the Mustang transitions to an electric platform, how much of that DNA remains?

According to Mr. Vinh, electric cars shouldn't be expected to be exactly like gasoline-powered Mustangs:“The name Mustang Mach-E evokes the spirit of the Mustang: a rebellious, game-changer on a large scale. But while there are similarities, you can't expect an electric car to be a copy of a gasoline car.”

The Mach-E retains the "Mustard spirit" in its incredibly responsiveness, the way the car conveys confidence with every movement, and a sporty feel that rivals familiar gasoline models. But it expands the definition of Mustang in a very different direction: smooth, quiet, intelligent handling, the ability to navigate challenging terrain thanks to its higher ground clearance, and significantly greater agility.

The car has three main driving modes: “Whisper,” ideal for leisurely city driving; “Active,” a middle-ground mode offering a balanced performance for everyday use; and for those who love the traditional Mustang, the “Untamed” mode is the closest thing to the legendary car known for its unrestrained spirit.

The word "Mustang" itself is inspired by the wild horse breed of the same name in the American West, and the name "Untamed" refers to the most unrestrained riding mode. Mr. Vinh shared:“The sporty nature of the Mustang Mach-E is most evident in Untamed. Only in this mode does the familiar image of the Mustang truly emerge. In terms of performance, the electric platform is quite different from the gasoline version: It lacks the emotion of exhaust noise or engine vibration, but in return offers exceptional smoothness and incredibly impressive, confident handling.”

“The technology in the Mustang Mach-E surpasses expectations, cornering with centimeter-perfect precision and handling smoothly even when the driver wants to push the limits. Its drivetrain – in my opinion, world-class – distributes power and shifts between the front and rear axles with exceptional finesse to deliver the best possible driving feel.”

Besides the test drive in Australia and the experience at Dinh Vu port, Mr. Vinh spent nearly 100 km pushing the Mach-E through a series of extremely rigorous tests: highway driving, emergency braking, high-speed steering, and even… drift driving.“I drifted freely and encountered no obstacles whatsoever. It felt incredibly enjoyable and confident. Previously, I thought only German cars like Porsche or Mercedes could strike a good balance between comfort and sportiness, but now Ford has done it too.”

Structurally, the Mach-E cannot replicate the exhaust sound or the pulsating vibrations of a Mustang V8. But according to Mr. Vinh, that's not the whole story:“The feeling about sports cars isn't just about the sound; it's about so much more. If it were all about the sound, why would deaf people want to buy sports cars? Why do brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce make sports cars that run so smoothly? The feeling is also about how the car responds, the precision, and the confidence it provides.”

Compared to Tesla's best-selling Model Y electric car, Mr. Vinh believes the Mustang Mach-E is superior in every aspect: from appearance and functionality to price.

“Essentially, the Mach-E's appearance and functionality are quite similar to the Model Y. But it's a better version in many respects. First, the appearance boasts a more refined design and higher level of finish. The driving experience also offers greater reliability, with a very good connection between the driver and the vehicle.”

"If you're a Tesla fan, in Vietnam, buying one through import will cost around 4-5 billion VND including taxes, but there are no authorized dealerships or warranty and repair services. In contrast, Ford has a long-standing, large-scale customer support and service system in Vietnam."

One of the top factors customers consider when buying a car is the price. Regarding this, Mr. Vinh frankly stated:"Those who buy a Ford Mustang Mach-E definitely need to have two things: solid financial resources and be a fan of Ford."The price of 2.59 billion VND is not cheap, but it's not the most expensive electric vehicle on the current market in Vietnam either.

To talk about the market segment, Mr. Vinh used a play on words, employing the phrase "going it alone" to describe the pricing position of the horse-logo car brand in Vietnam:"From a market perspective, the Mustang Mach-E is in a unique position: somewhere between two worlds: above Chinese electric cars priced under 2 billion VND and below European luxury cars like the Audi e-tron and Porsche Taycan, both priced above 3 billion VND."

Vietnamese consumers might be surprised by this price, as they are used to comparing electric vehicles to conventional cars, but when compared to the e-tron (from 3.1 billion VND) or the Taycan (from 4 billion VND), the Mach-E becomes a very reasonable choice. This led Mr. Vinh to call the Mach-E "a lone wolf" as it faces no direct competitors in the 2.5 billion VND price segment.

However, the Mach-E also has a common weakness among all electric vehicles: charging time. "Life is too short to wait an hour for a charge," Mr. Vinh said, half-jokingly. That's the biggest obstacle preventing him from fully switching to electric vehicles, unless it's a particularly special EV model.

Regarding charging, Matt Moran, Ford's International Product Communications Director, stated that Ford Vietnam has a nationwide charging station network, including 16 dealerships with existing charging infrastructure, plus 43 dealerships with additional charging stations. The Mustang Mach-E has a range of 600 km, giving users more flexibility in planning their journeys and charging.

The Mustang Mach-E is a testament to the fact that heritage isn't something to be displayed in a museum. It's a flow that can be recreated in many forms, as long as the core spirit is preserved. Dark Horses still exist for those who love classic Mustangs, who appreciate the loud, raspy, and aggressive sound.

The arrival of the Mach-E is not the end of its predecessor, but rather an expansion of the Ford Mustang's legacy, helping the untamed horse gallop into the new era.