Ford plots budget SUV, four-door Mustang

FORD is preparing an affordable compact SUV and four-door Mustang as part of a renewed push into lower-priced vehicles, with the latter potentially holding particular relevance for Australia after the Blue Oval trademarked the anticipated Mach 4 name locally.

The company reportedly previewed prototypes of both vehicles to US dealers at a private meeting in Las Vegas this month, including an as-yet unnamed compact SUV expected to arrive in 2029 with petrol and hybrid powertrain options.

Priced from around $US25,000 ($A35,300), the newcomer would become Ford’s least-expensive model in the United States and effectively replace the Escape, production of which ended there late last year.

It would also undercut the Escape’s previous entry price by approximately $US5000 ($A7000) and sit below both the Bronco Sport and Maverick ute.

According to Automotive News, early prototypes revealed a wide and boxy SUV resembling the first-generation Escape, although Ford executives reportedly stressed the design was not finalised.

The model could hold relevance for Australia, where Ford has progressively withdrawn from mainstream passenger and compact SUV segments.

Ford Australia discontinued the Escape in 2023 and subsequently dropped the petrol-powered Puma, before abandoning plans to introduce the electric Puma Gen-E.

It leaves Ford without a conventional small or medium SUV rival in Australia its local sales increasingly concentrated around the Ranger and Everest.

No Australian plans have been announced for the new SUV, nor has Ford confirmed whether it will be produced in right-hand drive.

Reports suggest the model could be manufactured at Ford’s Hermosillo plant in Mexico alongside the Bronco Sport and Maverick.

Ford is separately preparing a Geely-based “multi-energy” SUV for Europe from 2029 to replace the Kuga – the European sibling of the Escape – while a Bronco-branded C2-platform model is also expected there from 2028.

Meanwhile, Ford provided dealers with their clearest look yet at a four-door Mustang, bringing an early prototype onto the stage in Las Vegas.

Attendees reportedly compared its dimensions and styling with the Porsche Panamera, while Ford is understood to be targeting a price below $US40,000 ($A56,500).

The model is also said to be capable of accelerating from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in less than four seconds while providing more rear-seat space than the Panamera.

Although Ford has not publicly confirmed its name, previous reports indicate the four-door Mustang will wear Mach 4 badging.

Significantly, Ford has already moved to protect the Mach 4 name in Australia, filing a local trademark application in March 2025 after previously lodging applications in other markets.

While the trademark does not confirm an Australian launch, it provides a stronger local connection for the proposed model than the new budget SUV.

The Mach 4 would also represent a substantial expansion of the Mustang family beyond its traditional two-door coupe and convertible body styles and the electric Mustang Mach-E SUV already offered locally.

No launch timing has been disclosed for the four-door Mustang and Ford Australia has not confirmed whether either model is under consideration for local sale.