Our Opinion - 2026 Ford Mustang Review Electric and hybrid cars are currently popular, but the Mustang demonstrates that American power remains important, at least in Ford’s lineup. The American favorite pony for more than 40 years has been a reasonably priced racing car that comes in both fastback and convertible styles. There is still a 480-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine for people who can’t live without baritone music, but a 315-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a more modern way to roast tires. The EcoBoost and GT models are both very strong horses, but the 500-hp Dark Horse is the best choice if speed is your top priority. Whatever the case, the Mustang’s beautiful mix of new and old parts is a great example of how new ideas can keep an old recipe alive. What's New? As of now, GT Premium versions come with a unique FX appearance kit that pays homage to one of the Mustang’s most iconic eras. The package pays respect to the third-generation Fox-body Mustang by giving the interior a more classic look and using styling cues from that generation on the outside. There are two new wheel styles in the package: The cool Oxford White wheels on the Performance Package cars look like the fan-shaped shoes on the old Mustang Cobra. The other models come with a refreshed version of the Mustang’s original 19-inch split five-spoke wheels, now finished in white paint. The Oxford White style is carried over to the optional white-out taillights, grille nostrils, and badges for the Performance Package cars. The interior of the cabin features carbon fiber trim, silver and blue contrast stitching, and plaid perforated leather seat cushions, all inspired by the Dark Horse. A new color, Adriatic Blue Metallic, which resembles blue, is now available on all Mustang models and is not part of the FX package. The Orange Fury color is also back after being taken off the market in 2019. Ford states that orders for the 2026 Mustang will be available in late June. Pros and Cons Pros 315 to 815 hp. Options for both convertibles and coupes. You can change what the driver shows. Cons Automatic needs to be tuned up. It may feel more agile at lower trim levels. The convertible can be opened with a twist-and-latch. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Mustang’s main engine is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. It can only be paired with an automatic engine with 10 speeds. The Mustang’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine is the main engine, despite the setup being good. A six-speed manual transmission, or better yet, a ten-speed automatic transmission, can send power to the wheels. It produces 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. According to Ford, adding a performance exhaust can boost those numbers to 486 horsepower and 418 pound-feet. The GT’s 500-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 engine is replaced with the Mustang Dark Horse’s track-focused engine. An additional handling package featuring sticky Pirelli Trofeo RS track-capable tires is offered, essentially serving as a continuation of the well-regarded Mach 1 from the last generation, which included adjustable dampers and 19-inch Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tires. With each new Mustang iteration, Ford has steadily improved the harmony between ride comfort and handling. The newest one is no different, with more input and a steering feel. The Dark Horse features adjustable dampers, which make it less harsh, a characteristic often found in racing cars with track-specific tires. Safety The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance technologies for the Mustang is truly impressive. The following are important safety features: It comes with adaptive speed control. Standard lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. You can get active pothole prevention, which comes with the Performance Pack. Internal and External Cargo Capacity Inside the Mustang, both new and old features are present. The seats are very comfortable, and the 12.4-inch instrument cluster that comes standard is a big improvement over the last version. You can change the colors, gauges, and even the “calm” screen, which only shows the most important information, to make the display fit the needs of most red, white, and blue Americans. Every seventh-generation car can get a second analog-style throwback panel inspired by the 1967 Mustang via an over-the-air update. For those feeling nostalgic, the cluster can be configured to mimic the analog gauges from the 1987 Mustang. The driver’s display and lighting automatically adapt based on the chosen drive mode. The Premium trim features stitched accents on the dashboard and door panels. Standard Mustangs have cloth seats, but microsuede vinyl inserts can be added for an extra charge. The FX package for GT Premium cars adds even more vintage style with silver-and-blue contrast stitching and plaid seat covers. Additionally, Ford has introduced a feature called Remote Rev, which allows you to enjoy the sounds outside while the engine speeds up with just one touch of the key fob. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG For the 2026 Mustang, the EPA has not yet released its fuel economy numbers. The four-cylinder version from the prior year, however, achieved up to 22 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway. They were wrong; the V-8 got only 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. When we drove at 75 mph on the highway, an EcoBoost with an automatic transmission achieved 32 mpg, while a GT with a six-speed manual transmission achieved 24 mpg. We will make changes to this area when the EPA’s 2026 fuel efficiency estimates are made public. Infotainment and Connectivity A 13.2-inch multimedia screen running Ford’s Sync 4 software is tucked behind a curved glass panel, stretching from the gauge cluster to the center of the car. This system already features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing drivers to use a wireless smartphone charger instead of charging cords, keeping their car cleaner. Voice requests can be used instead of turning knobs or pressing buttons on Amazon Alexa and Ford Streaming. All Mustangs also come with Ford Power-Up software, which enables future software and car updates to be improved through over-the-air updates. Range, Charging, and Battery Life A Mustang GT with a speed exhaust system hit 60 mph on our test track in 4.2 seconds, and the EcoBoost was right behind it in 4.5 seconds. The Dark Horse was only able to cut the GT’s time by one second to 4.1 seconds, but it took 12.5 seconds to go 115 mph in the quarter-mile. In our most recent 0-to-150-to-0 speed test, the Dark Horse outperformed a Toyota Supra 3.0, clocking a time of 29.7 seconds. Price and How to Choose The 2026 Ford Mustang is expected to cost between $34,000 and $70,000, depending on the trim level and chosen features. While the EcoBoost’s supercharged four-cylinder engine isn’t bad, we recommend opting for the V-8 instead, especially when paired with the GT coupe’s six-speed manual transmission. Even though it costs $10,000 more than the other four, the Mustang GT gives you both memories and things that you can only get with money. The GT Performance package can be bought for an extra $5,000. This features a Torsen differential with 3.73 gears, large Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, and a stunning appearance.
