Today I learned just how tech starved my Mache is

[Gumber]

Let me explain

On Saturday, we picked up a 2025 VW Gulf GTI for my wife. Beautiful car! We got the Autobahn edition so it pretty much has everything it can have. Driving it on the weekend, I've come to the realization that the Mach-e is not what it claims to be, a tech advanced, fully featured car.

I have a Mache Premium.

The GTI's infotainment system (though 12.5") is faster, better, with the all the same functionality of my Mache
The GTI's dash is vastly superior. Provides SO much more information and just looks better. Even has a HUD, my Mache does not
The GTI gets ~ 800km on a single tank of gas vs my Mache which is around 460km (costs are still a bit cheaper for electric charging, but only a bit now)
The GTI has full assist driving, just short of hands free, but everything else that my Mache has
the list goes on and on

Most importantly... I'm paying approx. $300 less per month for the new car.

Ford will definitely have some work to do in the next 12-18months to keep me as a customer when my lease is up. Other manufactures are really putting Ford to shame and it's sad. I've been a "Ford guy" for 21 years. It feels like the end of the road. : /

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[phil]

The GTI's infotainment system (though 12.5") is faster, better, with the all the same functionality of my Mache
The GTI's dash is vastly superior. Provides SO much more information and just looks better. Even has a HUD, my Mache does not
The GTI gets ~ 800km on a single tank of gas vs my Mache which is around 460km (costs are still a bit cheaper for electric charging, but only a bit now)
The GTI has full assist driving, just short of hands free, but everything else that my Mache has
the list goes on and on

I don't care about any of those things. I've never been a Ford guy, but the Mustang works fine for me. I hope you like your next car better.

 

[Gumber]

disappointed by the decision to discontinue the Escape. The Hybrid had promise.

I'm excited by the VW Tiguan announcement on the weekend. ~ 120km range Hybrid is promising for sure.

btw, I'm happy Mache owners love their cars. I still have a soft spot for mine. Very much seeing that the grass is indeed greener sometimes however.

 

[stoopid]

I would imagine your MME is substantially quicker in a straight line, and that while the smile is being generated your eyes are firmly on the road in front of you making all the infotainment "improvements" a moot point since you're busy driving and enjoying the car while its serving its purpose of propelling you.

 

[ChrisO]

I doubt Ford will ever be "cutting edge", at least not for what they sell to the average customer, especially in "tech". That just isn't their thing.

Just as the styling on the 2025 VW Gulf GTI isn't my thing.

We each have our own criteria we want in a car and clearly the Mach-E doesn't fit yours. There is basically nothing Ford is going to do that will change that in an 18-month period of time.

 

[tbrumleve]

If I were purely focused on tech and fancy screens, there are better options. I’m not. I don’t really miss anything in the Mach E. They’re not the same, car wise, so a comparison of the important part (being a car) isn’t applicable here. Plus, is a VW (eewwwww). Many cars have Level 2 ADAS “hand on” features these days. Hands free is a big improvement. My 2017 Pilot has hands-on L2 assist.

Range is an issue, but that’s almost all EV’s compared to ICE. Saying 800km to a “tank” vs what an EV gets isn’t meaningful, except to state that you’ll need to stop more often to refuel.

I’ll stick with my Mach E.

 

[A-A-Ron]

disappointed by the decision to discontinue the Escape.

*slips into my flameproof suit* ahem

They didn't discontinue the Escape. They gave it electric motors and Mustang headlights and changed the name to the Mach E

 

[Gumber]

Range is an issue, but that’s almost all EV’s compared to ICE. Saying 800km to a “tank” vs what an EV gets isn’t meaningful, except to state that you’ll need to stop more often to refuel.

I’ll stick with my Mach E.

The range is of note now based on experience. Our Edge would be around 9-11 l/100, my ice Mustang eco was ~ 10. We save a lot of money on gas vs charging.

With the 5-7 l/100 we get now. The gas vs charge cost is pretty close.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

The GTI gets ~ 800km on a single tank of gas vs my Mache which is around 460km (costs are still a bit cheaper for electric charging, but only a bit now)

You're going to have an extremely long wait for a 500-mile range $40,500 CAN EV. A very long wait.

A quick search will reveal that if the magic number for you is 500 miles/800 km you can narrow things down to:
1. Lucid Air Grand Touring. MSRP of $106,000 CAN.
2. Chevrolet Silverado EV Max Range WT: Currently $82,199 CAN and soon to be $86,333 CAN. It does come in at 493 miles on the US EPA range test, though. So it's close but not quite there.

You can always wait for Toyota to get its act together. Solid state is coming. Soon™.

I'm paying approx. $300 less per month for the new car.

Yes, ICE cars are cheaper. Less borrowed means lower payments.

If you're happy with an ICE vehicle and the limitations of current EVs are troublesome to you, then move on. There's no shame in that. It's your money and your life.

 

[AtomicInternet]

The GTI has full assist driving, just short of hands free, but everything else that my Mache has
the list goes on and on

You list something the GTI can not do (hands free driving) as a feature?

Good luck with the "threaten to leave Ford if grumble grumble" approach. You could just get the GTI at the end of your lease and leave, so I hope you find whatever it is you're fishing for here.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

*slips into my flameproof suit* ahem

They didn't discontinue the Escape. They gave it electric motors and Mustang headlights and changed the name to the Mach E

when I bought my Mach E I was driving an Escape that broke down on me.

I didn’t even know what a Mach E was.

I had time to kill, so I checked out the Mustang in the showroom. Every door I opened and every button I pushed, I said to myself that this is bigger than my Escape.

I was smitten right then and there…

 

[awp0]

Just watched this GTI Autobahn review:

Interior design is highly personal. I prefer the MME's dashboard and infotainment design, and to me the GTI just looks like the next minor evolution of VW group's infotainment interface. It's nice but not special IMHO. That said, I wouldn't mind a HUD in the MME (I have it in our Telluride and really appreciate it).

Btw, didn't VW recently sign an agreement to license Rivian's software?

 

[GJTBOW]

I charge my Mache at home and drive 150kilometers/day for an averaging $3.50/day —the wife also has the Escape PHEV very happy with both.

it would cost me $2400/month in the VW vs $80.00 approx in the Mache

 

[Jimrpa]

*slips into my flameproof suit* ahem

They didn't discontinue the Escape. They gave it electric motors and Mustang headlights and changed the name to the Mach E

I’ve owned an Escape. The vehicles are barely comparable. The handling and performance of the escape was … fine - for a family car meant to be the entry vehicle to an explorer and ultimately an expedition. If I was looking to for an ICE vehicle to haul the kids to school and soccer, the Mustang Mach e would be at the bottom of my list.

 

[Gumber]

You list something the GTI can not do (hands free driving) as a feature?

Good luck with the "threaten to leave Ford if grumble grumble" approach. You could just get the GTI at the end of your lease and leave, so I hope you find whatever it is you're fishing for here.

If I'm "fishing" for anything its to hope Ford improves it's interior design. Provide an industry leading product.

I never thought I'd be in the position to consider another brand. I'd prefer not too.

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