Can the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Actually Rally?

The Mach-E Rally is put to the test at the DirtFish Rally School to see if can really perform in the rough stuff.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E was already facing a naming crisis as Mustang enthusiasts all over the world took issue with the Mustang name being used on an all-electric crossover SUV. These enthusiasts begged Ford to change the name. So, what did Ford do? They gave us the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally. Oh boy. Now it has to live up to the Mustang name AND the Rally moniker. Can it possibly do that? Well, 480 horsepower, 700 pound-feet of torque, a Rallycross-tuned MagneRide Damping System, and a Rallysport Drive Mode is a good starting point. But a solid stat sheet doesn’t really prove anything. The only way to truly test the performance is to actually test the performance.

That is what the folks at The Drive have done recently. They not only did all the standard EV tests such as evaluating the range and charge times. But they also took it to a DirtFish Rally School. If the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally can perform well there, that will go a long way towards justifying the Mustang Mach-E Rally name. So, how did it do?

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally

First of all, what is this thing? Well, the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is based on the 2024 Mach-E GT with the Performance Upgrade option. The suspension on the Mach-E Rally is raised by about an inch and the 235/55 all-season performance tires, are slightly narrower and taller than what is found on the GT. This results in the Rally being a tick slower to 60 mph, but it is difficult to call a 3.4 second 0 to 60 time slow. A RallySport Drive Mode allows for added yaw which translates to bigger slides a linear throttle response and more aggressive damping for better handling in slippery corners. Other upgrades include unique 19-inch alloy wheels that recall the design of the ‘turbofan’ rally wheels of old.

Up front is a grille shield with integrated fog lights to help cut through any dust you might kick up. There is also a redesigned front splitter to improve approach angles, and there is additional aluminum underbody shielding.

DirtFish Rally School

At DirtFish you will be able to push yourself and your car in ways that you just can’t on the street. And that is because most of the driving is not on tarmac. It is on mud and gravel. The Drive team had an absolute blast driving the Mach-E Rally around the course. They felt that the car was easy to launch and to control slides. It was responsive and best of all, fun. It works as a daily driver but it really does live up to the Rally name. With a starting MSRP of about $60 it is not cheap. But if you compare it to something like a Porsche 911 Dakar, the Mach-E Rally is the bargain of the century.

Should You Buy One?

The Mach-E Rally makes for a great daily driver, and it has all the performance you could want. But you must ask yourself a question. How often will you be throwing this thing around in the mud? If the answer is never, there are probably better choices out there for you including the regular Mach-E GT. But if you do plan on getting your Ford EV dirty on a regular basis, then the Rally trim begins to make some sense.

Images: Ford

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the 1970s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.