Execs: Huge energy from all engines; many flavors; obtainable convertible; just-for-fun options together with Drift Brake and customizable shows; spacious trunk
Cons: 10-speed auto not performance-oriented sufficient; restricted customization of drive mode settings; tough experience with Efficiency pack; Convertible cowl shake
With carmaker budgets more and more going to electrification efforts, there have been quite a few examples of fashions getting quasi-redesigns. The 2024 Ford Mustang is considered one of them. Whereas Ford is asking it the seventh-generation Mustang, the underpinnings are shared with the outdated one, and also you don’t must look too carefully to see the similarities in proportion and specification. It appears much more just like the mid-generation modifications for 1971, 1987 or 2010.
Finally, although, no matter. The reality is, the outgoing Mustang was so good {that a} from-scratch redo wasn’t essential. If something, Ford might’ve simply saved the established order for just a few extra years. As an alternative, we get up to date styling that’s extra aggressive with sharper physique strains and blacked-out detailing across the grille (considered one of its extra controversial particulars). The inside sees essentially the most vital and arguably essential replace, getting rid of retro appears to be like (other than the completely rad “Fox Physique” gauge design choice) in favor of 1 that’s extra trendy and tech-focused with out merely sticking a large display to the sprint and calling it a day (in contrast to one other Mustang).
Ford’s famend Coyote V8 will get 30 extra horsepower within the GT, and manages a cool 500 hp within the new, range-topping Darkish Horse that replaces and betters the Mach 1. The two.3-liter EcoBoost will get an additional 5 horsepower, and there’s not a “Excessive Efficiency Bundle (HPP) variant.” It’s now completely geared up with the 10-speed automated, although a six-speed handbook stays a (incredible) choice with the V8. And talking of maxing out on enjoyable behind the wheel, the 2024 Mustang introduces a pair of just-for-the-helluvit options: the Distant Rev operate that permits you to rev the engine with the important thing fob, and the wildly enjoyable drift brake.
There are many different much less noticeable updates for 2024, together with a extra composed suspension, a faster steering rack and varied smaller engine enhancements past “extra energy.” All of it provides as much as a greater Mustang, if not a wholly new one. Now, we’d usually take this chance to match the automotive in query to others within the phase, however each the Camaro and Challenger have ceased manufacturing, leaving the unique Pony automotive as the ultimate Pony automotive (for now no less than). Let’s simply take a second, then, to say {that a} quasi-redesign is unquestionably higher than cancellation.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The Mustang was redesigned for 2024. You may examine these modifications in short above or intimately in our 2024 Ford Mustang First Drive Overview.
What are the Mustang inside and in-car know-how like?
Though some retro touches stay, the 2024 Mustang has a contemporary inside in each look and performance. It’s dominated, as so many vehicles are today, by two large screens, optionally linked by one piece of glass – base fashions cut up the shows into free-standing screens – that wrap towards the driving force for a extra cockpit-like design. The gauge cluster affords 4 designs, with three of them additional customizable by offering roughly 30 shade selections you may combine and match in two-tone mixtures. Issues can get cheesy. The ultimate design mimics the analog gauges of the third-generation “Fox Physique” Mustang bought from 1987 to 1993. They’re very cool and likewise essentially the most legible of all of the choices.
As for the 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, it runs off Ford’s present Sync 4 structure, however options an all-new interface and widescreen orientation. Ford removed most bodily leisure and local weather controls as a result of changing them with touchscreen controls was “in style in analysis with Millenials, Gen-Z and conventional Mustang drivers alike.” Certain it was. Fortunately, the local weather controls and a financial institution of menu icons stay docked on the display, together with when utilizing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. So far as all-screen interiors go, this looks as if top-of-the-line. It actually does look slick, too. A wi-fi cost pad is out there, and a USB port might be added behind the rearview mirror for observe cameras “and different gadgets.”
How massive is the Mustang?
By sport coupe requirements, the Mustang is kind of giant. When hustling it alongside a good mountain street, you’re at all times conscious of its sizable footprint and never insignificant weight. Then once more, it’s not a sports activities automotive, it’s a muscle automotive.
Inside, the driving force will discover ample entrance seat adjustment, together with adequate headroom for these properly above 6 toes tall. These on the acute ends of the peak spectrum could need to assume twice in regards to the non-obligatory Recaro seat choice, although. They’re manually adjustable and don’t transfer in as some ways as the usual seats, which means tall drivers could have inadequate under-thigh help and brief passengers could discover themselves staring on the sprint. The usual seats stay a bit too squishy and nonetheless don’t provide energy recline.
One of many causes for the latter omission is to make it faster to entry the again seat. Not that you simply’re probably to do this fairly often contemplating it’s finest suited to luggage and small canines. We did handle to suit a big, forward-facing youngster seat behind a coupe, and it wasn’t a very ridiculous endeavor.
As for the trunk, the coupe’s is surprisingly giant at 13.3 cubic-feet and it got here ever-so-close to acing our baggage check. The convertible loses 3 cubes, however 10.3 cubic-feet remains to be fairly good for a drop-top.
What are the Mustang gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?
The Mustang EcoBoost has a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That smokes many previous Mustang V8s. The one transmission obtainable is a 10-speed automated, and a limited-slip differential comes customary. Gas economic system is available in at 22 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed, which is fairly darn good for a Mustang. It falls to 21/29/24 with the Excessive Efficiency Bundle. As we mentioned up excessive, there is no longer a extra highly effective EcoBoost Excessive Efficiency Bundle (HPP) variant, however confusingly there’s a Excessive Efficiency Bundle choice that features a limited-slip rear axle, the Drift Brake, chassis tuning and another goodies.
The Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter V8. Hell yeah. It produces 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in customary guise, or 486 hp and 418 lb-ft with the non-obligatory energetic valve exhaust. The ten-speed auto is non-obligatory, whereas a six-speed handbook transmission is customary. It contains an automated rev-match downshift operate and hill-start help. Gas economic system falls to fifteen mpg metropolis, 24 mpg freeway and 18 mpg mixed with the auto, and 14/23/17 with the handbook. We averaged round 16 mpg in every week of combined driving with a handbook GT, together with 250 miles of free-flowing freeway journey.
The Mustang Darkish Horse additionally has a 5.0-liter V8, however because of some stronger engine internals, improved consumption and a pc tweak, produces 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. Seeing “500” is admittedly fairly cool, however that’s nonetheless solely 14 horses greater than one of the best GT. It additionally comes with the 10-speed automated, however its six-speed handbook choice is a unique, extra performance-oriented Tremec unit beforehand used within the Shelby GT350. Gas economic system stands at 14/22/17 no matter transmission.
Mustang GT Convertible and Coupe
What is the Mustang wish to drive?
There are such a lot of completely different variations and choices that may essentially change how the Mustang drives, we’re going to do one thing a bit completely different right here and supply some particular observations that may level you within the route of 1 model over one other.
Don’t dismiss the EcoBoost. It could not sound pretty much as good as a V8, nevertheless it has extra energy than loads of outdated Mustang V8s, and it has completely no downside getting the tires smoking.
Talking of which, the Drift Brake is wildly, laugh-out-loud enjoyable. Make sure that to make use of it in a secure place, however man, what a riot. You may examine it extra right here.
Suppose twice in regards to the GT’s Efficiency Pack. Sure, it sharpens the dealing with and improves the brakes, however ask your self how a lot will that matter if it’s your each day driver. We suspect it gained’t matter as a lot because the ensuing tough experience, even with the package deal’s magnetically managed dampers (that actually ought to provide a softer setting). That is all made worse within the Convertible, which suffers from fixed cowl shake in consequence.
Critically think about getting the handbook transmission. It’s simple and fascinating to make use of, particularly with its auto rev-matching operate. The automated simply isn’t up for obligation in a efficiency automotive, and worse, it doesn’t come customary with paddle shifters.
The Mustang affords plenty of drive modes and 6 customized settings, however nothing enables you to pair a softer suspension setting with extra aggressive throttle, transmission, steering and stability/traction settings – one thing useful on real-world, bumpy roads that may upset a chassis with a too-firm suspension.
We’ve had combined ideas in regards to the Mustang steering, and it looks as if driver desire will most likely decide how you are feeling about it, too.
You may learn our in-depth Mustang Darkish Horse evaluation right here. In brief, although, we’re undecided the Darkish Horse is absolutely so a lot better than a loaded GT with the Efficiency pack that it really works out to be a worthwhile improve for the cash. Particularly when you intend it to be your each day driver. Actually, you’re simply including stiffer springs, 14 horses and the much-improved six-speed trans (when you get it in any respect). That’s not nothin’, nevertheless it’s a comparability to think about, for certain.
What different Ford Mustang opinions can I learn?
2024 Ford Mustang GT & EcoBoost First Drive Overview: You need foolish? It provides you foolish
Our first drive of the 2024 Mustang, together with essentially the most in-depth driving impressions of the four- and eight-cylinder variations, plus the coupe and convertible.
2024 Ford Mustang Darkish Horse First Drive Overview: New mannequin, acquainted system
The brand new range-topping Mustang just isn’t with out its charms, however we discover its benefits over a top-notch GT to be restricted.
The 2024 Ford Mustang has a drift brake. It. Is. AWESOME!
What the headline says. Learn all about one of many coolest issues I’ve skilled in a brand new automotive in a really very long time.
Ford Mustang Baggage Check
As soon as once more, the Mustang wows with a trunk far greater and extra helpful than you’d anticipate from a coupe.
What’s the 2024 Mustang value?
Costs begin at $33,160 for the coupe and $39,020 for the convertible, each of which embody the absurdly hefty $2,240 price of vacation spot and acquisition charges. All costs under embody these charges, and word that an automated transmission is a $1,595 choice for the GT and Darkish Horse.
Mustang Coupe Costs
EcoBoost: $33,160EcoBoost Premium: $38,685
GT: $44,950GT Premium: $49, 470
Darkish Horse: $61,725Dark Horse Premium: $65,720
Mustang Convertible Costs
EcoBoost: $41,260EcoBoost Premium: $44,185
GT Premium: $54,970
Mustang EcoBoost Coupe and Mustang GT Convertible with Efficiency Bundle
What are the Mustang security rankings and driver help options?
Each Mustang comes customary with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver help options. These embody ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, rear visitors automobile exit warning, and post-impact auto braking. The Co-Pilot 360 Help+ package deal obtainable on the Premium trims provides evasive steering help and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality (that specific ingredient is understandably solely included with an automated transmission).
The 2024 Mustang had not been crash examined by a 3rd social gathering on the time of this writing.