The 2021 winners of the Top 10 Neighborhood UXs are revealed in random, non-alphabetical order, one per day until November 3. This is the fourth winner profile. The winning design teams will receive their trophies on November 17 during Automotive Technology Week in Novi, MI., where the winning vehicles will be exhibited.
When it comes to user experience, Ford Mustangs tend to focus on just one thing: power to perform.
But the new battery-powered electric Mustang Mach-E changes all that.
That’s not to say the Mach-E doesn’t deliver a heavy dose of driving euphoria. It does it in spades, as we noted when awarding it a Top 10 Engines and Propulsion Systems trophy earlier this year. It’s just that with the Mach-E there is so much more.
For starters, there is the interior. The Mach-E doesn’t get the typical design treatment of battery-electric vehicles, where costs have obviously been chiseled out from materials and cabin features to make up for the expensive battery on board.
And, unlike other Mustangs, it has a backseat that isn’t a penalty bench. As we pointed out in naming the Mach-E as one of the 10 best interiors for 2021, it is “the cleanest BEV interior to date”.
But the surprise and the fun don’t end there. And that’s why we’re making the Mach-E a three-time winner, also naming it as one of our top 10 UX 2021 award recipients.
It all starts before you even get in the car. The lights flash on approach and the vehicle’s pony-shaped puddle lamps illuminate the ground at night.
Once inside, the on-screen graphics come to life, as the shooting stars transform into a galloping Mustang. Pressing the start button triggers another display of the Mustang logo on the fully digital instrument cluster.
The eye-catching centerpiece is the 15.5 inch car. Touch screen (39 cm) that hammers the point that this is not a standard Mustang.
It’s not only a striking focal point, it’s also very functional and packed with features that make for a unique and personalized driving experience – things like automatic ambient lighting. (photo above) which changes color according to the selected driving mode and a multitude of personal parameters which automatically configure the vehicle for each driver.
The center, vertically-oriented touchscreen is designed around the Sync 4 operating system, so it works fast. And its logical layout, crisp graphics, and flat architecture – you don’t have to go through multiple screens to find what you’re looking for – mean it’s super easy to use.
Bluetooth connectivity is among the fastest we’ve seen. There’s also a Wi-Fi hotspot and USB connections on the front and back.
Apple CarPlay is wireless and an easy-to-access wireless charger is tucked away in the center console. As a bonus, your smartphone can be used as a key to start vehicle and control functions and custom settings – a first for any Ford model.
The voice system is fast and accurate and doesn’t require exact wording to do things like change radio stations or find a point of interest through the navigation system.
And speaking of radio, the Bang & Olufsen system, with its soundbar-shaped speakers positioned along the IP above the air vents, looks as good as it looks. .
The central display is complemented by a configurable digital instrument panel (photo below) which features precise gauges and readings on range, state of charge and other key driving functions.
Storage capacity is another attribute that isn’t normally identified with a Mustang, but there’s plenty here in the Mach-E, including enough space in the center console for a purse or bag. .
And the car replaces the engine in the front with a frunk (photo below) which is drainable and functions as a cooler during a tailgate.
Our $ 56,200 all-wheel drive tester also includes a full suite of advanced driver assistance system technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, pre-collision assistance, cross traffic and blind spot alert.
Another plus: Our test Mach-E was equipped with the Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, which means it will be eligible for the even more advanced Blue Cruise Level 2-plus highway pilot system at the fall.
The height of it all are the various power modes available – Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled – and the corresponding engine-like propulsion sounds that accompany them.
And at 300 miles (480 km), drivers won’t often have to worry about range, especially since the navigation system will signal that it’s time to stop for a recharge if needed to finish. the programmed route.
Top 10 UX Judges Christie Schweinsberg sums it up the best. “It’s full of infotainment, ADAS features, surprise and fun,†she wrote on her scoresheet. “I would say it’s a really good deal.”
The infotainment system at Mach-E will train the driver to maximize range.
