Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 AWD

Overview

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 AWD was a slick, range-focused variant of Ford's electrifying SUV that blended Mustang spirit with family-friendly practicality. This trim specifically zeroed in on maximizing miles while packing all-wheel-drive confidence. As a discontinued model, you'll find it on the used market, with prices around $26,594. It was all about delivering a compelling package for those wanting to munch serious miles with a dash of that pony car flair, making it a strong contender against rivals in the buzzing EV crossover space.

What's New for 2023?

For 2023, the California Route 1 trim got a significant shake-up, ditching its previous rear-wheel-drive-only setup to come standard with all-wheel drive and the extended-range battery. This was a big win, boosting its all-weather appeal! Ford also made its Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 suite of driver aids standard across the Mach-E lineup, meaning more safety tech baked in. While some trims saw minor range adjustments, the CR1 AWD solidified its position as a long-legged explorer in the Mach-E family, ready for those epic American road trips.

Design & Exterior

The Mach-E California Route 1 AWD sports that unmistakable Mustang-inspired design – think aggressive front facia, sleek coupe-like roofline, and those iconic tri-bar taillights, all wrapped in a practical SUV body. This trim often featured 18-inch aero-focused wheels designed to cheat the wind for better range. Dimensions-wise, it stretches out to 185.6 inches in length, stands 74.1 inches wide (mirrors folded, we presume!), and reaches a height of 63.5 inches, giving it a planted, athletic stance that turns heads whether it's cruising boulevards or parked at a charger.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the California Route 1 AWD boasts a modern, minimalist cabin dominated by a massive 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 4A system, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get a neat 10.2-inch digital driver display. Passenger space is generous for five adults. Luggage? No problem! There's a decent 29 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a van-like 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats down. Plus, you get a handy 4.8 cubic foot frunk under the hood for charging cables or extra gear.

Performance & Driving Experience

This pony goes! The California Route 1 AWD zips from 0-60 mph in a swift 4.8 seconds thanks to its dual PMSM electric motors (one front, one rear) kicking out a combined 346 horsepower and a hefty 428 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel-drive system provides excellent grip, making it feel secure and surprisingly agile for its size. It offers a comfortable ride that soaks up bumps well, yet still delivers that engaging Mustang feel. One-pedal driving mode is available, making city driving a breeze and maximizing regenerative braking.

Range, Battery & Charging

Fitted with a substantial 91 kWh usable battery pack, Green Cars Compare's calculated real-world range is a solid 296 miles for this AWD cruiser, with an efficiency of 3.25 mi/kWh. Home charging via the standard 11 kW on-board charger can top it up overnight in about 9-10 hours. When you're out and about, it can gulp down electrons at up to 150 kW from a DC fast charger using its CCS Type 1 port, typically taking around 45 minutes to go from 10-80%. That’s enough for a quick splash-and-dash on longer journeys!

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Ford didn't skimp on safety for the 2023 Mach-E, which earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award and a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA. The California Route 1 AWD came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0. This impressive suite includes goodies like adaptive cruise control with stop & go and lane centering, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and evasive steering assist. Ford's BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was also often available as an option or part of a package.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Ford backs the Mustang Mach-E with a fairly standard warranty package for the US market. You'll typically get a 3-year/36,000-mile basic bumper-to-bumper warranty. Crucially for an EV, the battery components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, guaranteeing at least 70% of original capacity. The electric powertrain components get 5 years/60,000 miles of coverage. While Ford doesn't usually offer extensive complimentary maintenance, owners can use FordPass Rewards points for initial services. Overall reliability has been generally positive for the Mach-E lineup.