The seventh version of the Mustang is about to start. The Mustang looks better with its new look, which was much needed. Many changes to the way it looks and how the system works hide a new set of options for people who really need speed. Both EcoBoost and Mustang GT models can choose not to have the Performance Pack equipment update. A front strut tower brace, a Torsen limited-slip differential, bigger Brembo brakes, wider wheels and tires, and an active-dampening suspension system are all part of the Performance Pack. An active exhaust and Recaro bucket seats are two other performance choices. Ford also makes a Performance Electronic Parking Brake that looks like a regular stopper and is meant to make Mustangs less likely to drift. A new Mustang Dark Horse version that is ready for the track has also been added. It has a more powerful 500-horsepower Coyote V-8 engine, direct access to Ford Performance parts inventory, and changes to equipment that is leaner and meaner. A few months after the new Mustang came out, the coupe and convertible Mustang GT Premium got a look package called GT California Special. The GT/CS package pays tribute to the original 1968 car by adding unique wheels and blue accents to the front grille.

Pros

• More power from the Coyote V-8.
• Dark Horse is amazingly active.
• Electronic drift stop, all set to go for a ride.

Cons

• 10-speed automatic that doesn’t work right.
• The way a convertible feels floppy.
• Bad parts on the inside.

The base engine for the 2018 Mustang is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. It has five more horsepower than the last Mustang, but not as many as the 330 horsepower of the last model of EcoBoost Performance. The EcoBoost Mustang comes with an automatic transmission with ten speeds. The Mustang GT, on the other hand, has a six-speed manual gearbox and the same 5.0-liter V-8 engine. The new Coyote V-8 has 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, which is more than the old one’s 450 horsepower and 420 pound-feet. The new Mustang’s handling feels and works better than the old one. Ford says that a performance exhaust that can be added as an extra can make 486 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque. A Mustang GT with the speed exhaust system hit 60 mph on our test track in 4.2 seconds, while the EcoBoost came in just behind in 4.5 seconds. The MagnaRide dampers take the shock of expansion joints and pavement heaves while keeping the controls in the cabin working normally. The all-new Mustang Dark Horse is a step up for the track. It is built on the GT and has a 5.0-liter V-8 engine with 500 hp. Basically, it’s better than the beautiful Mach 1 from the last age. Instead of the GT’s MT-82 six-speed manual transmission, the Dark Horse has a Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual gearbox from the Mach 1 and the late Shelby GT350. In tests, the Dark Horse went from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, from 0 to 100 mph in 9.7 seconds, and from 115 mph to 115 mph in 12.5 seconds, which is not much faster than the GT. The Dark Horse comes with 19-inch Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tires as standard. If you choose the Ford Handling package, the more expensive Pirelli Trofeo RS tires can be put on instead. Our most recent test went from 0 to 150 mph and back to 0 mph. The Dark Horse did better than the Toyota Supra 3.0 to 150 and stopped in 29.7 seconds.

The Mustang also has more technologies that help the driver than any other pony car. This lets you drive faster and with more trust. The Ford Co-Pilot360 comes with every Mustang. Visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) webpages to learn more about the Mustang’s crash test scores. Some important safety factors are:

• It comes with adaptive speed control.
• Regular help staying in your lane and a warning when you leave your lane.
• Active pothole repair is a feature that comes with the Performance Pack.

The driver’s seat and every other part of the 2024 Mustang were all carefully made with a design that Ford calls “fighter-jet inspired.” Luckily, it’s more comfy than it looks, and the chairs were great for supporting us. The new Mustang’s standard 12.4-inch instrument panel is a big step up from the old one, but we’ll have to wait and see if it can break the sound barrier. The flexible screen can be changed to fit the needs of most red, white, and blue Americans. It has changing colors, gauges, and even a “calm” screen that only shows the most important information. The screens for the driver and the lighting in the cabin change depending on the driving mode you choose. The regular Mustang has cloth seats that can be upgraded to microsuede vinyl inserts. The Premium version, on the other hand, has stitched details on the dashboard and door trim. More leather has been added to the Mustang GT. Ford has also added a feature called “Remote Rev,” which lets you enjoy the sounds outside the car while changing the engine’s RPMs with just one click of the key fob.

The EPA says that the four-cylinder Mustang will get 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. It’s not a big deal, but the extra Performance Package does slightly lower gas mileage (21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway). The original Mustang had a V-8 engine that got 15 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway when it had an automatic drive. This grade is still good for the current model. For the Mustang GT with a six-speed manual gearbox, the city mileage is 14 mpg, and the highway mileage is 23 mpg. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse (2024) gets only 14 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, which is the worst fuel economy. Our highway fuel economy test went at 75 mph. A GT with a six-speed manual transmission got 24 mpg, while an Ecoboost with an automatic transmission got 32 mpg.

A lot of progress has been made in the technology inside the 2017 Mustang. A 13.2-inch touchscreen screen with Ford’s Sync 4 software can be added behind a curved glass panel and go from the gauge cluster to the middle of the car. Common features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built into this system. A wireless smartphone charger can also help drivers keep their charging cords organized. With Amazon Alexa and Ford Streaming, you can use your words to turn knobs or press buttons. Also, every Mustang comes with Ford Power-Up software, which lets you change software over the air and make the car run better.

The base Mustang has an EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine, while the Mustang GT still has a V-8 engine. We really want you to choose the GT with the V-8 engine and the six-speed manual transmission, even though the four-cylinder engine is more likely to earn you money.The GT coupe costs about $10,000 more than a four-cylinder, and the GT Performance option adds $5,000. It has 19-inch wheels, big Brembo brakes, a 3.73-geared Torsen differential, and some really cool looks.