• The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E gets a heat pump to improve battery performance in extreme temperatures.
• The updated BlueCruise driver assistance system with automatic lane change will also be presented.
• It's also cheaper and offers more connectivity options as well as new colors and wheel designs to choose from.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E can't afford to rest on its laurels. Sure, it's still the second-best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y, and Ford says more than half of Mach-E customers are new to the brand. But it's still been around since the end of 2020 and new competition is constantly popping up.

To keep this momentum going, Ford has refreshed the electric model for 2025 with some key updates inside and out – and, most importantly, a lower starting price. The 2025 Mach-E now starts at $36,495 (excluding destination), a decrease of $3,500 compared to the current model.

The biggest update comes in the form of a heat pump, which will be standard on all trim levels for the 2025 model year. A heat pump improves heating and cooling efficiency by removing heat from the outside air (even when it's cold) to heat the interior or battery, and removing heat to cool the car when it gets warm outside. This reduces battery consumption and helps maintain range, especially in extreme temperatures. Heat pumps were added to the F-150 Lightning last year, so it's great to see them on the Mach-E too.

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Last week I got a quick first-hand look at the 2025 Mach-E in upstate New York. The heat pump made the trunk slightly flatter, which Ford engineers acknowledged, but they said the compromise was worth it for the improved performance.

Another big upgrade is the addition of automatic lane changes to BlueCruise, Ford's equivalent of Tesla Autopilot, or General Motors' Super Cruise Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems.

The new BlueCruise 1.5 can now change lanes if it detects a slower car in front of it or if a vehicle in the fast lane gets too close. It can also change lanes if the rearview camera and radar detect a vehicle approaching from behind at high speed.

The system warns the driver visually and acoustically before changing lanes and displays the reason for the lane change on the instrument cluster. Drivers can override the system by manually turning the lever or gripping the steering wheel. We'll of course check it out when we get our hands on a 2025 Mach-E.

Ford is offering BlueCruise free for 90 days. After that, it costs $495 for a year or $2,495 for a one-time purchase.

Other small changes to the 2025 Mach-E include a new steering column-mounted shifter. Ford said this helped free up storage space in the center console – where current models have a rotary gear selector.

There's also a new Sport Appearance package that brings the styling cues of the Mach-E GT to the cheaper Premium trim. This includes the radiator grille shield, red Brembo brake calipers and high-gloss black painted 19-inch wheels. The available package also brings red stitching, sport pedals and ventilated front seats to the Premium trim. Ford also introduced three new colors: Molten Magenta Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Velocity Blue Metallic and Desert Sand. There are also three new wheel designs, including a Dark Carbonized Gray wheel for the Mustang Mach-E Rally.

Finally, there's a new Ford Connectivity package that includes a Wi-Fi hotspot for 10 personal devices, app access via the infotainment screen and Ford connected navigation, which includes trip planner and route guidance, among other features.

Other things like range and battery size remain the same, but the heat pump is intended to make it more efficient in extreme temperatures. There are two battery options, 72 and 91 kilowatt hours. The Premium trim in the rear-wheel drive configuration with larger battery has an EPA-estimated range of 320 miles on a single charge.

The upgrades are desperately needed, but we'll be watching closely to see whether they're enough to withstand a growing wave of competition. The Mach-E faces stiff competition from the Hyundai Ioniq 5, whose upgraded 2025 model is imminent, the successful Honda Prologue, and the Chevy Equinox EV and Blazer EV, both of which are helping to bring General Motors back into the game.

The revised Mach-E will be available to order in early 2025.

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