2023 Ford Mustang

Overview

For more than 55 years, the Ford Mustang has continued to evolve into a more sophisticated steed. This iteration comes standard with a 310-hp turbocharged inline-four EcoBoost engine with a six-speed manual transmission. And while the pony car gets as wild as the 760-hp Shelby GT500, reviewed separately, the more conventional choice is the Mustang GT with the 450-hp V-8 engine. Both the four-cylinder and V-8 can be mated to a manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. Mustangs are offered either as a hard-shell coupe or rag-top convertible, but every Mustang powers the rear wheels. Although a High Performance 330-hp EcoBoost is an available upgrade for the four-cylinder, the Mustang is best served with the growling V-8. While its closest muscular rival, the Chevy Camaro, has a more ergonomic interior, the Mustang’s larger back seat and better outward visibility make it easier to live with.

What’s New for 2023?

In anticipation of the next-generation pony car, the 2023 Ford Mustang goes largely unchanged. The 2023 Mustang bookends the fifth generation S550 chassis and an all-new S650 Mustang will go on sale sometime in the summer of 2023 with new looks, more power, and a far more technology-savvy interior.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

EcoBoost

$29,000 (est)

EcoBoost Premium

$34,000 (est)

GT

$40,000 (est)

GT Premium

$45,000 (est)

Mach 1

$58,000 (est)

The Mustang is best enjoyed with its sonorous, 450-hp 5.0-liter V-8, which comes only in the GT or the Mach 1. The latter has an additional 20 horsepower (470 total) versus the regular GT model, and features performance equipment pulled from the Shelby GT500 that makes it more exciting to drive. Unfortunately, we estimate that this puts its starting price near $58,000, so we’d recommend the regular GT coupe. Sticking with the standard manual transmission, we’d opt for the GT Performance package that adds upgraded Brembo front brakes, a limited-slip differential, stickier summer tires, unique chassis tuning, and more.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Don’t be fooled by its cylinder count—the standard 310-hp turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder has enough punch to embarrass V-8 Mustangs of old. Likewise, the optional 330-hp High-Performance package adds a more melodic and responsive EcoBoost engine derived from the defunct Ford Focus RS. The optional EcoBoost Handling package also delivers racetrack readiness to the four-cylinder coupe. The GT models are motivated by a 450-hp V-8 with an optional active exhaust that trumpets a thunderous roar. Both of these compelling engines pair with a standard six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic that makes the Mustang quicker than before. With the track-focused Performance Pack Level 2 (PPL2) and the brilliant Bullitt model both put out to pasture, the resurrected Mach 1 model has the best performance bona fides. With an enhanced 470-hp V-8 and chassis components shared with Shelby Mustangs, it’ll both terrorize racetracks and make grocery runs—but the Mach 1 we drove had a tiring tendency to tramline. Still, even with the less powerful engines, the Mustang’s chassis delivers a comfortable and controlled driving experience. The electrically assisted steering is appropriately light in Comfort mode and nicely weighted in the other two. The Mustang’s brake pedal has a firm feel that we felt to be touchy in stop-and-go traffic, but it’s easier to apply smoothly at higher speeds.

More on the Mustang Coupe

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The most efficient Mustang is the one powered by the turbocharged four-cylinder with the 10-speed automatic, which earned EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The V-8–powered Mustang earned ratings of 15 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. In our testing, the four-banger with the manual transmission returned 24 mpg—7 fewer than its EPA rating. The V-8 with the automatic saw 24 mpg in our hands, matching its EPA number. For more information about the Mustang’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Mustang interior is an evolutionary design that harks back to Mustangs of old while managing to be fully functional and livable. While it’s available with premium features such as heated and cooled front seats, its mediocre plastics and cramped Headless Horseman-only back seats are demerits. Stellar performance combined with impressive cargo space makes the Mustang a high-performance daily driver. In our testing, it held the second-most carry-on suitcases and has the most interior storage space among rivals. The back seat stows by pulling a strap and folds easily by hand. Should you need to transport up to 12 carry-on bags, the Mustang can do so. The Ford wins with the biggest center-console bin among competitors we tested.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

Ford’s optional Sync 3 infotainment system has a clean design and a simple interface. While it’s not as responsive or robust as some rivals, it does come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a kickin’ stereo. The Mustang is available with a Wi-Fi hotspot. Ford Sync Connect, which allows users to control and monitor their vehicle through a smartphone app, is included as standard.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Mustang is also available with more driver-assistance technology than any rival pony car, so you can go faster and feel safer. That’s how driver assists work, right? For more information about the Mustang’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Mustang has a solid but average warranty. However, unlike Chevy, Ford doesn’t provide a complimentary scheduled maintenance visit.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, *2-passenger, 2-door hatchback

PRICE

Base/As Tested: $54,595/$60,740

Options: Mach 1 Handling Package – Pilot Sport Cup 2 ultra-high-performance tires, 19 x 10.5″ fr/19 x 11″ rr wheels, revised chassis tuning, adjustable front strut mounts, performance front splitter, performance rear spoiler with Gurney flap, $3750; Recaro cloth sport bucket seats, $1650; red-painted brake calipers, $495; *rear seat delete, $250

ENGINE

DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection

Displacement: 307 in3, 5038 cm3

Power: 480 hp @ 7250 rpm

Torque: 410 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

TRANSMISSION

6-speed manual

CHASSIS

Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink

Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc

Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

F: 305/30ZR-19 (98Y)

R: 315/30ZR-19 (100Y)

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 107.1 in

Length: 188.5 in

Width: 75.4 in

Height: 54.3 in

Passenger Volume: 55 ft3

Cargo Volume: 14 ft3

Curb Weight: 3793 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 4.5 sec

100 mph: 11.2 sec

1/4-Mile: 13.1 sec @ 108 mph

130 mph: 21.3 sec

Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.3 sec

Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 11.0 sec

Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 11.1 sec

Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 168 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 138 ft

Braking, 100–0 mph: 284 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.06 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 14 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/City/Highway: 17/14/22 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

–

SPECIFICATIONS

2019 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $52,980 (base price: $47,590)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 307 cu in, 5038 cc
POWER: 480 hp @ 7000 rpm
TORQUE: 420 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.9-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S; F: 255/40ZR-19 (100Y), R: 275/40ZR-19 (105Y)

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Length: 188.5 in
Width: 75.4 in
Height: 54.3 in
Passenger volume: 83 cu ft
Trunk volume: 14 cu ft
Curb weight: 3850 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 4.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 16.6 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 10.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 9.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.8 sec @ 115 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim): 163 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.97 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 18/15/24 mpg

>>CLICK TO DOWNLOAD TEST SHEET<<

More Features and Specs