Ford Mustang Mach-E Fails Evasive Handling Test

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the most desirable and controversial models released in quite some time. The all-electric SUV's unveiling raised questions about tying the Mustang name to a family hauler, but intense, sustained demand for the model has put most of that controversy to bed. However, a recent test from Swedish motoring magazine Teknikens Värld may rekindle some of the initial buzz around the electric vehicle (EV). In a video published to YouTube, the publication subjects the new Ford to a "moose test," an evasive-maneuvering test. According to the magazine, the Mustang Mach-E could not complete the test at a required speed, leading to a failing grade.

As the video depicts, even at a relatively low speed, the EV struggles and hits cones. In one test, the Mach-E enters the obstacle at 68 km/h (42.3 mph). The Mach-E's tail swings wide at a slightly higher speed of 72 km/h (44.7 mph), leaving the course entirely. The 72 km/h speed is required to pass the test, but the Mustang Mach-E couldn't hang with its competitors at that pace.

The Tesla Model Y finished the same test at a higher speed without breaking a sweat, and the brand-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 finished the 72 km/h test without issue. Though not stated in the video, the tests involved a Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD Long Range model.

The presenter blames the Mach-E's tail-happy behavior in the test on a lazy electronic stability control system (ESC), but an article accompanying the video blames Ford's soft chassis and slow steering. Weight could be an issue, but as the article notes, the Mustang Mach-E isn't much heavier than other vehicles in the test. While some enthusiasts may prefer oversteer, it's far from a desirable trait for the unsuspecting everyday driver.

While its name is wildly suggestive of a surprise encounter with a sizeable woodland mammal, the moose test—also known as the elk test—does not involve wildlife. It's a handling test that involves evasive maneuvers that measure a vehicle's ability to respond to an obstacle that suddenly appears on the road. The test simulates the actions a driver would need to take to avoid a moose rushing onto the road, a child running out onto the street, or another driver backing into traffic.

Teknikens Värld is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on September 29, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.