Professionals: Large energy from all engines; many flavors; out there 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 trip with Efficiency pack; Convertible cowl shake
We’re not so positive that the newest era of Mustang is best trying than its predecessor (or even when it’s really a brand new era), however there’s no denying that the 2025 Ford Mustang is a extra characterful automobile because of a wide range of just-for-the-helluvit options supposed to make the fashionable pony automobile that rather more particular. Scare the crap out of that nosy neighbor by revving the engine out of your kitchen with the important thing fob? Verify. Change the gauges to appear to be these from an ’87 Mustang? Verify. Decide as an alternative for a mixture of 30 totally different colours unfold throughout the large, double show panel? You bought it. How about our private favourite, the Drift Brake, that was in all probability essentially the most enjoyable we’ve had in a automobile since … nicely, we weren’t that adventurous in highschool, so it’s in all probability the Drift Brake. Anyway, you will get that and have a great deal of foolish enjoyable, too.
Sadly, you may now not get the Drift Brake with the bottom EcoBoost four-cylinder engine because the Excessive Efficiency bundle it was included in has been discontinued for 2025. Possibly nobody was checking that choice field, however it nonetheless looks as if a misstep given how cool that exact choice is. Maybe it’s simply indicative of the truth that those that wish to have enjoyable of their Mustang nonetheless need one with a V8. In that case, the 2025 Mustang presents two nice ones: the 480-horsepower Coyote V8 within the GT and the 500-horsepower model within the Mustang Darkish Horse. Each may be had with a 10-speed computerized or a six-speed guide … yay.
An overhaul of the Mustang’s chassis final yr additionally noticed it change into each sharper and extra composed whatever the driving atmosphere. Make sure that to drive it with and with out the GT Efficiency Pack, although, as a result of even in the event you’d miss out on the Drift Brake, its firmer trip could take its toll if used as a each day driver – particularly with the Mustang Convertible. All informed, the Mustang stays a favourite of ours, even when its conventional muscle automobile rivals (Camaro and Challenger) have each moved on to the nice storage within the sky. An absence of competitors solely will increase its enchantment.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2025?
The EcoBoost Excessive Efficiency bundle is now not out there, which implies you may’t get its Drift Brake with the four-cylinder. That appears unhappy. Wi-fi charging can also be now not out there in any respect, which isn’t simply unhappy, however laborious to fathom in 2024. Twin-zone local weather management is now commonplace on each Mustang. Lastly, you may now not get the Mustang in Atlas Blue, Fast Purple, Yellow Splash or Darkish Matter Grey; however Wimbledon White and one thing known as Molten Magenta Metallic are picked up. Looks as if a internet loss.
What are the Mustang inside and in-car know-how like?
Though some retro touches stay, the 2025 Mustang has a contemporary inside in each look and performance. It’s dominated, as so many automobiles 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 presents 4 designs, with three of them additional customizable by offering roughly 30 colour decisions you may combine and match in two-tone combos. Issues can get cheesy. The ultimate design mimics the analog gauges of the third-generation “Fox Physique” Mustang offered from 1987 to 1993. They’re very cool and in addition essentially the most legible of all of the choices.
As for the 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, it runs off Ford’s current Sync 4 structure, however contains a totally different interface with a 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 the most effective. It actually does look slick, too. Sadly, wi-fi charging is now not out there for 2025 (good grief, why?), however a USB can nonetheless be had behind the rearview mirror for observe cameras “and different units.”
How large is the Mustang?
By sport coupe requirements, the Mustang is sort of massive. When hustling it alongside a decent mountain highway, you’re all the time conscious of its sizable footprint and never insignificant weight. Then once more, it’s not a sports activities automobile, it’s a muscle automobile.
Inside, the driving force will discover plentiful entrance seat adjustment, together with enough headroom for these nicely above 6 toes tall. These on the acute ends of the peak spectrum could wish to assume twice concerning the optionally available Recaro seat choice, although. They’re manually adjustable and don’t transfer in as some ways as the usual seats, that means tall drivers could have inadequate under-thigh assist and quick 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 possible to do this fairly often contemplating it’s greatest suited to luggage and small canine. We did handle to suit a big, forward-facing baby seat behind a coupe, and it wasn’t a totally ridiculous endeavor.
As for the trunk, the coupe’s is surprisingly massive at 13.3 cubic-feet, and it got here ever-so-close to acing our baggage take a look at. The convertible loses 3 cubes, however 10.3 cubic-feet remains to be fairly good for a drop-top.
What are the Mustang gas financial 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 out there is a 10-speed computerized, and a limited-slip differential comes commonplace. Gas financial system is available in at 22 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed, which is fairly darn good for a Mustang. Word these are 2024 figures as these for 2025 weren’t out there on the time of this writing.
The Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in commonplace guise, or 486 hp and 418 lb-ft with the optionally available energetic valve exhaust. The ten-speed auto is optionally available, whereas a six-speed guide transmission is commonplace. It consists of an computerized rev-match downshift operate and hill-start help. Gas financial system is mainly the identical with each transmissions: 15 mpg metropolis, 24 mpg freeway and 18 mpg mixed with the auto, and 15/24/18 with the guide. It falls to 14/23/17 with the Efficiency Package deal. We averaged round 16 mpg in per week of combined driving with a guide 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 the perfect GT. It additionally comes with the 10-speed computerized, however its six-speed guide choice is a distinct, extra performance-oriented Tremec unit beforehand used within the Shelby GT350. Gas financial system stands at 14/22/17 no matter transmission.
Mustang GT Convertible and Mustang Darkish Horse
What is the Mustang prefer to drive?
There are such a lot of totally different variations and choices that may essentially change how the Mustang drives, we’re going to do one thing a bit totally different right here and supply some particular observations which may level you within the path of 1 model over one other.
Don’t dismiss the EcoBoost. It might not sound nearly as good as a V8, however it has extra energy than loads of outdated Mustang V8s, and it has completely no downside getting the tires smoking. The lack of the Excessive Efficiency Pack does restrict its dealing with capabilities, nevertheless.
It additionally means you may’t get considered one of our favourite options: the Drift Brake that’s wildly, laugh-out-loud enjoyable. Make sure that to make use of it in a secure place, however man, what a riot. You possibly can examine it extra right here.
Regardless of the drift brake and its unquestionable dealing with and braking enchancment, the Efficiency Pack ends in a tough trip. Sure, even with the bundle’s magnetically managed dampers (that basically ought to provide a softer setting). That is all made worse within the Convertible, which suffers from fixed cowl shake in consequence.
Significantly think about getting the guide transmission. It’s simple and fascinating to make use of, particularly with its auto rev-matching operate. The automated simply isn’t up for responsibility in a efficiency automobile, and worse, it doesn’t come commonplace with paddle shifters.
The Mustang presents numerous drive modes and 6 customized settings, however nothing allows you to pair a softer suspension setting with extra aggressive throttle, transmission, steering and stability/traction settings – one thing helpful on real-world, bumpy roads that may upset a chassis with a too-firm suspension.
We’ve had combined ideas concerning the Mustang steering, and it looks as if driver choice will in all probability decide how you’re feeling about it, too.
You possibly can learn our in-depth Mustang Darkish Horse overview right here. Briefly, although, we’re unsure the Darkish Horse is admittedly 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 in the event 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 (in the event you get it in any respect). That’s not nothin’, however it’s a comparability to contemplate, for positive.
What different Ford Mustang evaluations can I learn?
2024 Ford Mustang GT & EcoBoost First Drive Evaluate: 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 Evaluate: New mannequin, acquainted method
The brand new range-topping Mustang shouldn’t be 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 automobile in a really very long time.
Ford Mustang Baggage Take a look at
As soon as once more, the Mustang wows with a trunk far greater and extra helpful than you’d count on from a coupe.
What’s the 2025 Mustang worth?
Costs for the Mustang EcoBoost keep put for 2025, however the GT and Darkish Horse get vital bumps from the place they began for the 2024 mannequin yr (although a part of that’s the results of a mid-model-year worth bump). Possibility costs additionally go up significantly, together with these for the Brembo brakes and energetic exhaust. The B&O sound system has additionally been faraway from the Premium Excessive Gear Group regardless of that bundle not altering in worth. The sound system is now a $995 stand-alone choice.
All costs beneath embrace the $1,595 vacation spot cost and are for the coupe physique model. We didn’t know Convertible costs on the time of this writing, however final yr, it commanded premiums of $8,100 (EcoBoost) and $5,500 (EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium).
EcoBoost Fastback: $33,515
EcoBoost Premium: $39,040
GT Fastback: $47,055
GT Premium Fastback: $51,575
Darkish Horse: $64,875
Darkish Horse Premium: $69,870
What are the Mustang security scores and driver help options?
The NHTSA gave the Mustang coupe good five-star scores in each class.
Each Mustang comes commonplace with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver help options. These embrace ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, rear visitors car exit warning, and post-impact auto braking. The Co-Pilot 360 Help+ bundle out there on the Premium trims provides evasive steering help and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality (that exact aspect is understandably solely included with an computerized transmission).
