2024 Mustang GT Coupe Premium w/ GT Efficiency Package deal
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automobile
Shade: Darkish Matter Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 189
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 18.8 mpg
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortB
Energy and PerformanceA
Match and FinishB+
Gas EconomyB-
ValueB-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large GuyB-
Tall GuyB-
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs480-horsepower 5.0-liter
Engine TypeV8
Transmission 6-speed guide
Drive WheelsRear-wheel drive
Driving combine: 70% metropolis, 30% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 14/23/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $46,015 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Gear Group 401A ($2900), GT Efficiency Package deal ($4995), Bronze Look Package deal ($995), ground mats ($200), Lively Valve Exhaust ($1225), Recaro-brand entrance seats ($1650), crimson seat belts ($295), MagneRide suspension ($1750)
Value as examined: $61,620
Fast Hits
The nice: Spirited efficiency, rewarding to drive
The nice: Upscale cabin, sudden on-road refinement, long-trip snug
The not so good: Efficiency choices add significantly to the underside line
Tom Appel
There are realities we’d all slightly not face. Although there are some nonetheless in denial, Seinfeld actually was cancelled, the Double Cheeseburger actually was dropped from the McDonald’s Greenback Menu, and the gas-engine Ford Mustang will likely be discontinued—we simply don’t know when. There’s some query as to what occurs to the Mustang after 2028, and when you prefer to spend time worrying about issues, the Mustang is price fretting over.
New for 2021, the Mustang Mach-E gave mannequin loyalists a begin. Whereas the small electrical crossover has completely nothing to do with the model’s pony automobile, use of the identify means that the carmaker isn’t as protecting of the Mustang model—or legacy—as sporty-car followers may need hoped they’d be.
And whereas Ford has a vested curiosity in conserving the Mustang moniker in play, don’t wager on its dedication to gasoline-fueled V8 engines, guide transmissions, or convertibles. If we have been betting on this, we’d wager that the Mustang goes all electrical—and all automated transmission, and all coupe—after 2028. And whereas we’d additionally wager that no matter that automobile appears to be like and appears like—and it’s more likely to be superior—it is not going to effectively symbolize the reasonably priced, lightweight, typically playful character of the unique 1965 ‘Stang.
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Given this uncertainty, it’s extra essential that ever to understand what we now have now. And, we’re delighted to notice that the freshened for 2024 Ford Mustang just isn’t solely the final surviving pony automobile, it’s among the many most reward to drive sporty vehicles out there right now, at any worth.
The 2024 Mustang lineup is fairly easy, which we admire. There are a complete of 9 Mustang trim ranges, and two physique kinds, Fastback and convertible.
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From least costly to most, there’s the EcoBoost (about $32,000 for the Fastback, $40,000 for the convertible), EcoBoost Premium (about $37,500 Fastback, $43,000 convertible), GT ($43,500 Fastback), GT Premium ($48,000 Fastback, $53,500 convertible), and, supplied solely in Fastback trim, the line-capping Darkish Horse and Darkish Horse Premium ($60,000 and $64,000 respectively.
EcoBoost fashions are powered by a 315-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which mates completely to a 10-speed automated transmission. The GT and Darkish Horse include a 5.0-liter V8 engine which is hooked to both a 6-speed guide or 10-speed automated transmission. The “Coyote” V8 is rated at 480 horsepower within the GT, and 500 within the Darkish Horse. All Mustangs characteristic rear-wheel drive.
Client Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2024 Mustang GT with guide transmission in Darkish Matter Grey, that includes a variety of important choices together with the GT Efficiency Package deal, and MagneRide Damping System. Together with vacation spot cost, our check automobile got here to $61,620.
In case your final reminiscences of a Mustang inside have been shaped within the Nineties, you’re in for a shock. The Mustang cabin is now extra BMW than Daewoo (Nineties reference), composed of premium-grade supplies and stylish dose of minimalist design. Certainly, utilizing the phrase “cockpit” feels just about on level.
The console touchscreen and the instrument cluster are actually models of a single contiguous panel, which appears to be like clear and environment friendly. We discovered the infotainment system/touchscreen icons simple to establish at a look, and the system typically easy to navigate. We do favor our local weather management entry to be comprised of precise bodily switchgear, however didn’t discover the Mustang’s setup particularly onerous. Additionally, the Bang & Olufsen audio system is excellent.
Regardless of its slinky low silhouette, the Mustang is comparatively roomy and simple to enter and exit. Likewise, outward visibility is healthier than most people most likely anticipate. Rear seat room is extra expectedly restricted—and no place to stow an grownup of any type—however the seats are there, simply in case.
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As soon as inside, Ford’s final automobile may be very roomy, and comfy for the lengthy haul. That mentioned, the extra-cost ($1650) Recaro-brand sport seats needs to be fastidiously vetted previous to ordering your Mustang. The seats are too confining for bigger adults, and will show too agency for prolonged drive, no matter your stature.
As for efficiency, the Mustang GT is as rewarding to drive as ever. Client Information’s check automobile got here geared up with the $4995 GT Efficiency Package deal, which significantly upgrades the ‘Stang potential. Together with within the bundle are Brembo-brand efficiency brakes, distinctive suspension tuning, heady-duty entrance springs, bigger rear sway bar, entrance strut-tower brace, subframe brace, lowered trip peak, and a Torsen-brand limited-slip differential.
Not having a Mustang with out the Efficiency Package deal to match our check automobile to, we will solely say that our automobile was frankly wonderful to drive. In traditional, high-power, rear-drive custom, we discovered our check automobile to be quick, flingable, and surprisingly refined. The clutch was agency however not too heavy, and the shifter exact, and although slightly high-effort, nonetheless simple sufficient to push via the gate with simply our fingers.
This editor finds the Mustang GT’s “enhanced” exhaust be aware a unnecessary novelty, leaving me to surprise what this automobile may sound like with out the tweaking. The surprisingly flat blat produced by the Mustang is at odds with what muscle vehicles of the Seventies as soon as seemed like. It’s price noting that on this difficulty, I appear to be alone. The sound of V8 Mustangs is ubiquitous on the streets round Chicago, and I slightly want the automobile’s soundtrack was rather less artificial.
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Excellent news on the economic system entrance: First, the GT’s beefy V8 performs simply effective on a gradual eating regimen of regular-grade gasoline, and, our noticed gasoline economic system was surprisingly good. Regardless of succumbing to the Mustang’s lead-foot siren’s name, we noticed almost 18 mpg, a determine which might little doubt be improved upon with slightly operator restraint.
It’s simple to argue that the Mustang has misplaced a few of its historic appeal now {that a} GT convertible might be optioned as much as almost $70,000—that’s Chevrolet Corvette territory. Two ideas on Mustang costs, and worth: First, the Mustang GT performs on a stage that till solely lately was unique to vehicles just like the Corvette, and even pricier exotica. Secondly, the more-affordable EcoBoost Mustangs are extraordinarily succesful in their very own proper, and really rewarding to drive, regardless that they arrive solely with the automated transmissions. In reality, the EcoBoost is so good, we actually don’t think about it an entry-level mannequin.
What’s to come back of the Mustang? Our crystal ball must be recharged, however we suspect that we’re not too removed from the ‘Stang going completely electrical. Count on breath-taking acceleration and—God assist us—pretend exhaust noises to assist us swallow the bitter capsule of America’s most-beloved sporty automobile going to battery energy.
The excellent news is that the Mustang is nearly as good because it’s each been, and if you would like a guide transmission, you’ll be able to nonetheless get one. Issues could seem peaceable now, be we’re fairly certain that is the calm earlier than the pony-car storm.
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2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
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