Buying a car today is a slightly more complex process than it used to be. Rather than placing an order from a brochure and selecting one or two optional features, like leather seats or a fancier paint color, the modern consumer is likely to go through an online configurator that allows them to personalize every inch of their dream vehicle. The number of options out there is endless, and some have a larger price tag than others.In this particular case, an optional feature on the Ford Mustang Mach-E is more of a must-have than an option. Simply put, Ford are charging $495 for the Mustang Mach-E to be equipped with a frunk, something that's essentially built into the core design of the car. The fact that most customers are choosing to have this option installed means that Ford is effectively making an additional $500 on top of the price of every Mustang Mach-E. A Very Expensive Frunk: The Mustang Mach-E's Must-Have Option CarBuzz The option we’re referring to is a feature that’s extremely common in electric vehicles: the frunk, short for “front trunk”. This storage space is found in the spot where you would typically expect to find the engine in a combustion vehicle. Although, of course, it is nowhere near as big as the traditional trunk, it still offers a small amount of additional storage, typically enough for a grocery bag, a duffel bag, or bits and pieces like charging cables and emergency kit.Ford In the Mustang Mach-E, the frunk is offered as an option for the not-so-small price of $495. The weird thing is that the frunk used to be standard fitment on the Mach-E up until the 2026 model year. It's quite cheeky to charge $500 for something you used to get for free.We can’t, however, imagine that many Mustang Mach-E buyers will opt out of having one. Getting less storage space to save $500, on a vehicle that starts at nearly $40,000, seems like a fairly pointless exercise. And what would be under the hood if not a frunk? We can't imagine Ford even building these cars without them. The Mustang Mach-E: An Overview Of A Controversial Model FordThe Ford Mustang Mach-E borrows its name from the iconic Mustang, but that’s about where the similarities end. Instead of being a muscle car, the Mach-E is an all-electric crossover. The model was first introduced in 2019, before going on sale for the 2021 model year.The launch of the Mustang Mach-E came with a fair amount of controversy due to the vehicle’s name. Initially introduced under the name of Ford Mach 1, the model later had its name changed to Mustang Mach-E when released on the market; the use of the Mustang moniker was less than appreciated by many car enthusiasts. The model had almost no direct association with the world-famous Mustang, which as a more traditional muscle car had little in common with an electric SUV. A petition to get Ford to change the name was launched at the time, but was not successful, and the controversy eventually died down as the public got used to the new model.Ford The entry-level version of the model is called the Select, followed by the Premium and the GT. An upgraded version of the GT called the GT Performance is also available. For this year, the GT version offers a limited-edition visual upgrade called the California Special, a nod to a package first offered on the Mustang in 1968. The California Special adds blue trim and a black stripe on the hood, as well as custom badging. Last of all, there’s a more rugged version of the model called the Mustang Mach-E Rally, released for the 2024 model year.Power comes from a variety of electric motor and battery configurations. The Select and Premium trim levels offer RWD versions powered by a single electric motor, while all other versions of the model have two motors and AWD. Power output ranges between 264 and 480 hp. Other Pricey Options From The Automotive World Mercedes The Mustang Mach-E’s frunk is far from the only optional feature in the automotive world to carry a hefty price tag. Today’s cars have an increasingly wide selection of options available, including off-roading equipment, tech features, family-oriented features and beyond.Unlike the optional features available in the past (such as different paint colors), many of these features are quite expensive to manufacture and install, which drives up the cost on the customer’s side. Here are a few examples of expensive options from across the modern automotive market.Power Front Seats (Mini Countryman): This funky crossover comes with a variety of optional features, including some that will set you back a fair amount of cash. Among them we find power front seats, which will cost you $1,250.MiniRoof Rack (Lexus GX): The Lexus GX is a spacious and practical SUV, with plenty of room for the whole family’s luggage. Sometimes, however, the space available inside the vehicle is not quite enough. If you want to add a roof rack to your new GX, it will set you back $1,450.3D Technology Package (Mercedes-Benz S-Class): This sleek, high-end sedan has plenty of comfort and luxury features on board. One of the features available as an option is the 3D Tech Package, which includes an augmented reality head-up display, facial recognition, eye-tracking attention assist, and a 3D instrument cluster. This package comes with a $3,000 price tag.Sources: Ford, Mini, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus