2024 Ford Mustang

Pros

• High-tech screens inside are easy to read and interact with.
• Every engine gives you a huge boost in speed.
• Compared to other cars in the same class, the bigger trunk and back seats make this one more useful.

Cons

• The result hasn’t changed much for the better.
• The design and fit of the interior can look old.
• Features that people want make the price go up a lot.

How do you like to drive the Mustang? No matter which type you pick, the Mustang’s performance will keep you interested. We were given three Mustangs to test: an EcoBoost, a GT with a six-speed manual transmission, and a GT with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Performance package was put on all Mustangs. The EcoBoost went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, the six-speed GT in 4.8 seconds, and the automatic GT running even faster in 4.3 seconds. The EcoBoost made it to 94.2 mph in the quarter mile, the manual-equipped GT made it to 111.6 mph, and the automatic-equipped GT made it to 113.1 mph. The same method was used to measure the speeds. There are some racing cars that are a little faster, but the Mustang makes it easy to go fast.

All of these Mustangs had amazing stopping distances—they needed 100 feet or less to stop from 60 miles per hour. Not only are those lengths surprisingly short for a sport coupe in that price range, but all of them showed great stability and pedal feel. The Mustang also handles well. All three of them use Pirelli P Zero tires and hit our skidpad at 0.97 or 0.98 g. Again, this is pretty amazing considering the price. Our test drivers also said that getting the most out of the Mustang’s chassis was pretty easy. They liked how sharp the steering was and how well they could control the body.

The Mustang can handle the daily drive when it’s not on a racetrack or a winding back road. The 5.0-liter V8 in the GT has enough power to saunter through traffic and easily climb longer highway grades. The EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is quick and can keep up with traffic. The 10-speed automatic transmission was a good alternative for those who didn’t want to deal with a clutch, but we like the six-speed manual gearbox better.

What kind of comfort does the Mustang offer? The Mustang has what you want, whether you want ease or speed. The EcoBoost and GT models both come with basic non-adjustable suspension that handles most road imperfections well. As an extra, you can get the adjustable MagneRide suspension with the Performance package. Even though the MagneRide suspension is stronger than regular suspension, a fan won’t have to give up many things. For those same fans, the extra Recaro sport seats are likely to be very comfortable. But bigger drivers or people who want seats that are heated and cooled will be glad to know that there are more comfortable seats available.

As part of the changes made to the Mustang’s new interior, the bottom air vents were moved down on the dashboard. The vents don’t give us nearly as much freedom of movement or wind as the old ones did, so we had to move them around all the time. The Mustang’s climate controls are all digital, which will be annoying to people who like analog controls. The majority of the settings are at the bottom of the touchscreen, but for some, like the fan speed, you need to see an extra menu.

The noise level inside the Mustang probably won’t be a problem for fans, just like the ride. The rest of the car’s cabin is pretty well insulated, even in the convertible. The wide tires do make some road noise, though. Both the EcoBoost and GT cars sound great with the stock exhaust. If you want a little more noise, you can get an active exhaust system.

How is the state of the inside? The usual seats are very comfortable, but the sporty Recaro seats may be hard to get in and out of without sliding back because they have thick back supports. Although the back seats are fine for short trips, they are a bit squished, especially when it comes to space. Because the Mustang’s doors are so big, it might be hard to get in and out of tight parking spots. If you choose the convertible, dropping the roof makes getting to the back seat a lot easier.

The Mustang’s stock seats, which are not Recaro, are very good, and the driver will benefit from a stance that is good for both street and race driving. Visibility is good over the mostly flat hood, but on tight roads, the huge windshield pillars can make it hard to see. Unfortunately, the Mustang’s side mirrors have not been updated, and they still look too small for a car this size.

Inside the Mustang, the panel is all digital, with only a few buttons that people can press. Ford has made the Mustang steering wheel less complicated. It used to have way too many buttons on it. The big digital infotainment screen lets you get to most of the other settings and features. The screen is quick, easy to read, and generally easy to use, though some drivers may find it hard. It won’t take most Mustang drivers long to get used to their new car.

What is there to do with technology? This is where the latest generation of Mustangs is most different. The windshield has a digital display that is 12.4 inches wide and has a 13.2-inch tablet that runs Ford’s Sync 4 system. The tablet turns on and off quickly, is easy to read, and has simple menus. On the instrument screen, you can choose from a number of different configurations. It turned out that the navigation system was quick and right.

The 12-speaker B&O stereo system that you can add on is not as good. When turned up, it has a respectable volume, but it lacks all of its real subtlety. There are a lot of USB charging ports and a wireless charging pad, which is very helpful.

When compared to other sports cars in this class, the Mustang does about average. This is because it comes with standard driver assistance features like blind-spot warning and automatic emergency braking. Most of the technologies worked as they should, but we found the lane keeping system to be a bit wonky. It had trouble keeping the Mustang in its lane, so it kept going back and forth between the lines.

What is the state of storage right now? The Mustang is more than up to the task of daily driving and running errands. Even though the trunk opening isn’t perfectly straight, the fastback’s 13.5 cubic feet and the convertible’s 11.4 cubes are both much bigger than the Camaro’s 9.1 cubes. The room it has is also well used because it’s easy to fit luggage or golf bags. The Mustang’s trunk may not have as much space as the Nissan Z and Toyota GR Supra hatchbacks, but it does keep your things safer and more separated than those cars’ trunks. The convertible also doesn’t take up any room in the trunk when the top is down.

There is a lot of storage room inside for things like sunglasses, a phone, and drinks. Everything stays safe even when you’re driving quickly. Inside, car seats will fit, but they might be hard to get in and out of.

How well does the fuel work? On our 115-mile test route, we drove both the EcoBoost and GT models. The GT model had a six-speed manual transmission, and it worked almost exactly as the EPA said it would. EPA estimates that the four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost gets 26 mpg overall (22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway). We got 26.0 mpg in it. The GT with a V8 engine got 18.0 mpg, while the EPA’s total number was 17 mpg (14 city/23 highway). The V8-powered GT isn’t as fast as competitors with turbocharged engines like the Toyota GR Supra and the BMW M240i, but these numbers are about the same as those of the competition.

How much does the Mustang be worth? A base-model Mustang EcoBoost is a cheap way to own a car that is connected with America. But the GT’s stronger competitors, like the BMW M240i, Nissan Z Nismo, and Toyota GR Supra, are tougher to beat. The Mustang can be customized more than these cars, but the materials used inside and outside it look like they aren’t as good.

The warranties aren’t as complete as we’d like, but they do cover everything from bumper to bumper for three years and 36,000 miles, and they also cover the engine for five years and 60,000 miles. The Mustang does not come with free maintenance, but it does come with roadside help for five years or 60,000 miles.

Ford has a Mustang for every type of buyer, whether they want the famous look or the legendary speed. The GT with a V8 engine and the EcoBoost with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine lose some of their classic charm, but they can both be set up to cruise or take shortcuts, and the inside is still current enough. The Mustang has a 5.0-liter V8 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. This may give it the most vintage feel. The Mustang is fast, fun to drive, and pretty much stock for everyday use, but it’s not as quick or as precise as some of its competitors. The Mustang is still a rare example of an honest and simple car, so you won’t have to explain to your family and friends why you bought it. It’s still a good car, even though the Camaro and Challenger are no longer made.

We suggest getting the GT if you want the best Mustang experience possible. In this case, you can pick between a smooth-shifting six-speed manual gearbox and the strong 5.0-liter V8 engine. In order to make the Mustang handle and stop better, we would also add the GT Performance package. For a little more money, the GT Premium trim level comes with more basic features.

Models of Ford Mustangs

It comes in five trim levels for 2024: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse. You can get it as either a car or a convertible. The Mustang EcoBoost has a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox. It’s not possible to shift gears by hand with the EcoBoost. The Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. It can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Lastly, the Dark Horse is a coupe-only car that comes with either an improved six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission. It has a 5.0-liter V8 engine that is more powerful than the GT’s (418 lb-ft, 500 horsepower). It comes stock on all Mustangs to drive the back wheels.