2020 Ford Mustang Review

　　

2020 Ford Mustang Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　In some ways, the 2020 Ford Mustang is as just as you'd expect it to be. It has rear-wheel drive, an available 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, and all sorts of factory options to make it faster, louder and more distinctive. What you might not expect about the Mustang is the way Ford has committed to the standard four-cylinder engine. Base Mustangs used to be underpowered and unloved but not anymore.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2dr Coupe (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6M) 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

　　$189/mo  for Mustang EcoBoost

　　Mustang EcoBoost

　　EcoBoost 2dr Coupe (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6M) (Most Popular) - $26,670 MSRPEcoBoost 2dr Convertible (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $32,170 MSRPEcoBoost Premium 2dr Coupe (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $31,685 MSRPEcoBoost Premium 2dr Convertible (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $37,185 MSRPGT 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $35,630 MSRPGT Premium 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $39,630 MSRPGT Premium 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $45,130 MSRPBULLITT 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) - $46,705 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The EcoBoost Mustang comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out a stout 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Not content with letting only the V8 Mustang have all the fun, Ford has added the High Performance package to the EcoBoost model for 2020. The Focus Focus RS-derived engine delivers 332 hp, and its 350 lb-ft of torque is spread across a wider rpm range than in the standard engine. Ford also adds the larger brakes from the V8 Mustang to this package. Also new for 2020 is the Handling package (available only with the High Performance package), which adds Ford's impressive MagneRide suspension, uprated sway bars and super sticky Pirelli tires.

　　Inside, the Mustang is much the same as it has been for the past few years. Highlights include a pleasing retro design fitted with the latest technology options such as Ford's Sync infotainment system and adaptive cruise control. Drawbacks are predictable, however. These include limited rear-seat and trunk space and a stiff ride when you opt for the high-performance suspension. Overall, though, we thoroughly enjoyed the 2020 Ford Mustang. It's modern, fast, easy to drive, and available with just enough options to make it your own.

　　Notably, the 2020 Ford Mustang is a featured vehicle in our Cheapest New Cars article.

　　

What's it like to live with the Mustang?

For more insight into the Ford Mustang, check out our Cheapest New Cars. We covered everything from fuel economy to infotainment technology and interior quality. Even though our time was spent in a 2019 GT convertible, it is the same generation as the 2020 Mustang and most of our observations are applicable to the 2020, regardless of body style or engine configuration.

　　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

8.5/10

　　How does the Mustang drive? The Mustang GT is impressively quick thanks to its gutsy V8. The brakes are also fittingly firm, giving you plenty of confidence to brake hard. In zzdcar testing, the GT covered 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and stopped from 60 mph in 118 feet.

　　The steering effort changes depending on the drive mode you've selected. Regardless of mode, there's a good amount of feedback for the driver. Even without high-performance summer tires, the Mustang handles corners well thanks to well-managed body roll and impressive overall stability. The 10-speed automatic works very well, too. It picks the best gearing without seeming to be overly busy.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Mustang? You'll be comfortable for hours in the Mustang, which is quite a feat considering how performance-focused this car is. The seats offer great support and the cabin is fairly quiet. The V8 sounds great, which is precisely what you'll want to hear.

　　The climate controls are front and center, and well-placed vents evenly distribute cooled air for front passengers. The automatic climate control rarely needs any adjustment once set. The ventilated seats are quick to cool you down on hot days and keep you comfy on long drives.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The controls are thoughtfully placed, and there are enough adjustments in the steering wheel and driver's seat for most owners to find a comfortable driving position. The Mustang's doors are long, which means they're hard to open fully in a tight parking space. Rear-seat passengers will have a hard time stepping past the folded-forward seat when they're squeezing into the back.

　　Backseat space is limited, even for children. Outward visibility is pretty good, though, with relatively narrow windshield pillars and a large enough rear window for a near-full view of what's behind you.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Muscle cars don't exactly scream "high tech," but the Mustang gets high marks for the availability of newer features. Ford's Sync interface has top-notch voice controls, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. The optional digital instrument panel not only looks cool, but it is functional and is a great secondary control screen.

　　The advanced safety features (blind-spot monitor, lane keeping assist, etc.) are well-tuned to avoid false alarms. The forward collision warning is appropriately startling. The adaptive cruise control executes with smooth inputs and maintains the set speeds on steep downhills.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Mustang has a sizable lead in cargo capacity over the Camaro, but the Challenger still has the most. The 13.5-cubic-foot trunk has a wide opening and a low liftover height. Two golf bags can fit across the back with the standard stereo.

　　Inside, there's just enough space for personal items but not much else. The cupholders and door pockets are merely average. Installing a child's car seat will be tough because of the limited backseat space and the restricted room you have to load it in.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Fuel economy for the V8-powered Mustang GT is about average for the class. We managed 23.6 mpg on our highway-heavy evaluation loop, but it took a lot of restraint to get there. That explains our 15.1 mpg average during its brief time with us.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　Even without any performance options, this Mustang GT is a hoot to drive. It's stable and fast, yet you can also make it a tail-sliding hooligan machine if you want to. The available active exhaust adds an amazing sound to the car and encourages you to drive it hard. It's capable of raucous performance yet it's also a pleasant daily driver. That means it can fit your personality or mood on the fly.

　　

Which Mustang does zzdcar recommend?

The EcoBoost Mustang is better than it's ever been thanks to the availability of performance-enhancing options such as the High Performance package. It's a great pick if you're limited on budget. But we'd still go with the Mustang GT if money allows. The Mustang experience is at its best thanks to the sound, feel and overall performance of the 5.0-liter V8 under the hood.

　　

2020 Ford Mustang models

The 2020 Ford Mustang is available in EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium and Bullitt trim levels for coupe body styles. Convertibles are available in all but the base GT and Bullitt trims (the GT Premium is offered).

　　The Mustang EcoBoost is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 10-speed automatic is optional. Other mechanical equipment includes a limited-slip rear differential, launch control (only with the manual gearbox), and an electronic line lock to facilitate burnouts (at the track only, of course).

　　Standard feature highlights include 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, a 4.2-inch center display screen, and a six-speaker sound system. Also standard is FordPass Connect, which includes remote start, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote services that allow you to check on the vehicle from a smartphone app.

　　The EcoBoost Premium keeps all the same hardware but adds 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, revised cabin trim, power-adjustable front seats, a nine-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system.

　　For both EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium models, an available High Performance package adds a high-performance version of the 2.3-liter engine with a 20-hp boost (up to 330 hp but with the same torque rating), larger brakes with four-piston calipers, 19-inch wheels and summer tires, a shorter differential ratio, a bigger radiator, active exhaust, stiffer front springs, a special front air splitter, a larger rear spoiler, and specialized track-oriented suspension tuning. The High Performance package also allows access to the EcoBoost Handling package (coupe only), which adds adaptive MagneRide suspension dampers, and wider wheels (19 inches x 9.5 inches) with Pirelli Corsa4 tires.

　　GT models really step up the Mustang's performance game. They come with 18-inch wheels, a 5.0-liter V8 (460 hp, 420 lb-ft), the power-adjustable front seats, and rear parking sensors. The manual transmission is standard and the automatic is optional. The GT Premium adds the same creature comforts of the EcoBoost Premium trim. You can also get a GT Performance package and a Level 2 Performance package for the GT that offers various suspension, tire and brake upgrades.

　　For equipment, the Bullitt essentially gets the GT Premium's features, plus the mechanical upgrades of the Performance package. And thanks to a modified intake manifold, the Bullitt's V8 receives a 20-hp bump to 480 hp. Torque stays the same at 420 lb-ft. Otherwise, it differentiates itself from the GT largely through aesthetics such as a Dark Bullitt-specific Highland Green paint option, special wheels, various Bullitt logos, and deletion of the rear spoiler.

　　Other notable optional features for the Mustang include active exhaust, a digital gauge cluster, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system, various exterior and interior styling packages, Recaro front sport seats, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　

2020 Mustang Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleBULLITTCoupe

　　Trim: EcoBoostEcoBoost PremiumGTGT PremiumBULLITTEcoBoost

　　

Base MSRP	$26,670
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$189/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles