FordMustang

　　

2024 Ford Mustang Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The redesigned 2024 Ford Mustang introduces the seventh generation of the pony car, though much of the previous Mustang's DNA is still present. The new car rides on the same platform and uses the same engines (all with slight modifications), meaning that the new Mustang drives similarly to the outgoing model. Ford says that all of the 2024 Mustang's bodywork is new, save for the front pillars and roof, but the overall impression is one of many slight tweaks to the Mustang's current formula, albeit with more extreme lines. There's also a new high-performance Dark Horse model that combines elements of the much-loved GT 350 and GT 500 models but with added civility and comfort.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2dr Coupe (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$175/mo  for Mustang EcoBoost

　　Mustang EcoBoost

　　EcoBoost 2dr Coupe (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $30,920 MSRPEcoBoost Premium 2dr Coupe (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $36,445 MSRPEcoBoost Premium 2dr Convertible (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $41,945 MSRPGT 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $41,495 MSRPGT Premium 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) (Most Popular) - $46,015 MSRPGT Premium 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $51,515 MSRPDark Horse 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $57,970 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Improved interior tech

This new generation Mustang ushers out the more traditional analog dashboard layout and replaces it with a fully digital setup. Its appearance is polarizing, but the improvement in functionality and overall modernity cannot be disputed. The digital instrument panel has multiple configurations and displays far more information than previous iterations ever could. The same goes for the new, and much larger, 13.2-inch infotainment screen. It's easier to read, quicker to react, and much more comprehensive than anything ever offered in a Mustang.

　　

Competitors to consider

While you might still be able to pick up a Dodge Challenger or a Chevrolet Camaro from a dealership, it's a sad fact that both of these long-term rivals will soon be out of production. That doesn't leave much in the way of direct competition, but the BMW 2 Series, Toyota GR Supra and Nissan Z offer both practical and sporty counterpoints to the Mustang.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Mustang drive? No matter which version of the Mustang you choose, there's enough performance on tap to keep you entertained. We handed three versions of the Mustang to our testing team: an EcoBoost, a GT with a six-speed manual transmission, and a GT with the 10-speed automatic. All of the Mustangs were equipped with the Performance package. The EcoBoost hit 60 mph in a sporty 5.6 seconds, the six-speed GT flew by in 4.8 seconds, and the automatic-equipped GT was even quicker, doing the deed in 4.3 seconds. Speeds through the quarter mile were also in the same order — the EcoBoost reached 94.2 mph while the manual-equipped GT hit 111.6 mph and the automatic-equipped GT hit 113.1 mph. Other sports cars might be a tick quicker, but speed is easy to achieve in the Mustang.

　　Each of these Mustangs posted impressive braking numbers, taking 100 feet or very near it to stop from 60 mph. Not only are those impressively short distances for a relatively affordable sport coupe, but each version exhibited excellent pedal feel and very good stability. Handling is another strong suit of the Mustang, with all three leaning on their Pirelli P Zero tires to hit either 0.97 g or 0.98 g around our skidpad. Again, that's pretty impressive for the price. Our test drivers also found it relatively easy to extract the maximum from the Mustang's chassis, noting good body control and accurate steering.

　　When not on a track or a curvy back road, the Mustang, no matter its powertrain, is adept at handling the daily commute. The four-cylinder EcoBoost is peppy and has no problem keeping up with traffic, and the 5.0-liter V8 in the GT makes ample torque to lope around in traffic and climbs longer highway grades with ease. We really like the six-speed manual transmission, but all of our drivers found the 10-speed automatic an acceptable option should you not want to deal with a clutch.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Mustang? Whether you err on the side of comfort or performance, the Mustang has you covered. Standard on both EcoBoost and GT models is a non-adjustable suspension that soaks up most road irregularities just fine. Optional, and part of the Performance package, is the adaptive MagneRide suspension. Compared to the standard suspension, the MagneRide is on the stiffer side, but an enthusiast won't find it requires much compromise. Those same enthusiasts will likely also find the optional Recaro sport seats to be plenty comfortable, but larger drivers or drivers who want ventilated and heated seats will be happy to know that more relaxed seats are available.

　　Among the changes in the Mustang's new interior, the center air vents were relocated lower on the dash. These vents don't offer nearly the same amount of adjustment or airflow as before and we found ourselves constantly reaching to reorient them. Fans of physical climate controls will be disappointed by the fully digital controls in the Mustang. While most of the controls sit at the bottom of the touchscreen, some like the fan speed need an additional menu to pull up.

　　Much like the ride, enthusiasts will likely have no problem with interior noise levels in the Mustang. There is tire and road noise from the wide tires, but the rest of the cabin is fairly well insulated, even in the convertible. We think the standard exhaust sounds just fine on both the EcoBoost and GT models, but there is an active exhaust system available should you want to make a bit more noise.

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