Why mixed reviews on Mach-E suspension?

[BigMach-E]

Yeah, if you want soft and pillowy, this ain't the EV for you. You might want to look at the Lyriq. I came from an MB S500 with air suspension, and this took some getting used to. It's not uncomfortable, but it's not a "luxury" suspension.

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[Guss-E 2021]

On smooth roads it’s really nice though. Very quiet and smooth, with a low center of gravity that helps to minimize body roll around turns. But if you’re looking for a car that just soaks up the bumps, this isn’t it.

Btw, I see the term “bouncy” being used all the time. To me that implies something that I don’t experience. To me the car feels stiff and unforgiving. I actually don’t mind it terribly unless it’s a really bad road.

I wanted to second this comment. This has been my experience as well. I'm fortunate that the majority of the roads I regularly travel have recently been paved.

I would also add that the first time I drove on a well graded dirt ride I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth and controlled the ride was. AWD tracked really well.

 

[sotek2345]

It is all about what you compare it to.

Compared to my daughter's 2007 Beetle with broken shocks, our Mach-e GT is driving on a cloud.

Compared to my (now sold ) GT350 in sport or track mode, the Mach-e is more compliant and smooth, but still gives some road feedback. Much better for longer drives, not as good for back road carving

Compared to my Raptor, the Mach-e bashes and crashes over every little thing! Does it even have shocks? How come I feel curbs when I hit them - they are only 4-5" tall!

Given that a Lexus is most likely (note: never been in a Lexus) closest to the Raptor in terms of on road suspension, I suspect you will find the Mach-e firmer than you are used to.

 

[Mrn]

As mentioned in other threads, make sure the dealer removed the suspension locking blocks from the undercarriage if the ride is too stiff.

 

[Logal727]

No complaints here, it’s kinda fun

 

[Ming]

A lot softer and forgiving/softer than Teslas (and my RAV4).

after getting a tesla model Y performance, suddenly my MME is much softer and comfortable
but the hardest I've had was BMW 430 with 20" wheel. felt like no tires on them.

 

[dbsb3233]

If you got concrete expansion joints where you drive, you're going to notice it. If all you ride on is asphalt then no problems.

Well, halfway. Concrete roads tend to bring out the bouncing wave in the MME. But asphalt roads (especially in places with winter freezing) bring our the stiff jarring in the MME. That's the one I find especially annoying and compromising.

The MME is great in 90% of ways. But the stiff, jarring suspension is part is in the other 10% of negatives IMO. It's stiffer and more jarring than our 2013 Escape that we had been driving. Not wildly more so, but disappointingly so for a $59k car when we expected it to be better.

I've lowered the tire pressure some around town to 36 front/38 rear, which helped a little. Then I bump it up to 39/41 for road trips for slightly better mileage.

Those that live in warm climates with good smooth roads will find it pretty smooth though. Its a dream to drive on a good interstate.

 

[RickMachE]

My build date is Sept 12. Premium, extended range. I had been looking for suspension reviews for quite a long and see mixed opinions.

It's a big deal for us. We like soft/smooth suspension. Like a Lexus rx.

Some say suspension is pillowe, some say it is pretty hard. Why this much gap.

I haven't read the responses, but I have to ask - did you have to ask?

Answers:

1) Human beings are very subjective.
2) What I like you don't.
3) Many have no clue what they are evaluating, nor how to evaluate it. Having the tires over/under pressure affects ride too.

And, the ultimate answer:

 

[Jim54]

My build date is Sept 12. Premium, extended range. I had been looking for suspension reviews for quite a long and see mixed opinions.

It's a big deal for us. We like soft/smooth suspension. Like a Lexus rx.

Some say suspension is pillowe, some say it is pretty hard. Why this much gap.

Yeah, if you want soft and pillowy, this ain't the EV for you. You might want to look at the Lyriq. I came from an MB S500 with air suspension, and this took some getting used to. It's not uncomfortable, but it's not a "luxury" suspension.

I took delivery of my Premium Ext Range RWD in early July. Have about 1100 miles so far, mostly local. Suspensions are always a tradeoff of handling vs comfort. (Unless you have an adjustable or magnetic ride system). The MME is very good on smooth pavement and has some expected bobbles and bumps on less maintained roads. Not perfect but does fairly well. Depends on what you're used to driving.

 

[dbsb3233]

I haven't read the responses, but I have to ask - did you have to ask?

Answers:

1) Human beings are very subjective.
2) What I like you don't.
3) Many have no clue what they are evaluating, nor how to evaluate it. Having the tires over/under pressure affects ride too.

And, the ultimate answer:

I'd add a #4... It depends on where you live and how good/bad the roads are.

Most owners in Arizona probably find it very smooth 99% of the time. While most owners in Michigan probably find it somewhat firm and jarring most of the time.

Same way with the bouncy issue. It only happens on roads that have a wave in them (usually concrete sections).

I think that's a big part of why we see such a wide variance of responses. Yes, it depends on your perception, but it also depends on a lot where you live.

 

[RickMachE]

The concrete seams also are annoying in most cars. Or the patching. Every 20 or so feet.

 

[DYohn]

I found that by lowering tire pressure to the 34 range softens up the ride noticeably. Of course I sacrifice a little range doing that, but it's a trade off I'm willing to make.

 

[Dave-O]

If you want sloppy handling and a pillowy ride, buy a Toyota. You’ll be seriously disappointed in the Mach-E, even I get annoyed by the occasional kidney beatings with the Ford.

 

[voxel]

Yeah, if you want soft and pillowy, this ain't the EV for you. You might want to look at the Lyriq. I came from an MB S500 with air suspension, and this took some getting used to. It's not uncomfortable, but it's not a "luxury" suspension.

Yeah the Lyriq, Ariya, Ioniq 5, e-tron, and ID.4 were designed for a softer ride.

Model S with air suspension and the Taycan supposedly have good suspensions too.

 

[Mach 5e]

My build date is Sept 12. Premium, extended range. I had been looking for suspension reviews for quite a long and see mixed opinions.

It's a big deal for us. We like soft/smooth suspension. Like a Lexus rx.

Some say suspension is pillowe, some say it is pretty hard. Why this much gap.

All depends on the driving surface environment where you live. It is a harsher connected sports SUV ride compared to a Lexus RX. There is a freeway, H-1 thatI take to the Honolulu airport, and if I had to drive it on a daily basis to commute I would have sold this car off ASAP because it bunny-hops bad on the concrete seams to the point it negatively affects me like no car I've ever driven... Strange. I'm waiting on the Cadillac Lyric hoping that it will be more composed soaking up the harsher road surfaces.

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