2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1

　　

2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The 2023 Ford Mustang is one of the three muscle cars on the market, providing lots of horsepower and an exciting driving experience at a reasonable price. We think it's the best in its class: It is more engaging to drive than the Dodge Challenger, and it's more comfortable and easier to drive day to day than the Chevrolet Camaro. Whether you're considering the base turbocharged four-cylinder or the high-octane Mach 1, there's a Mustang variant for anybody with a need for speed.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 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

　　$268/mo  for Mustang Mach 1

　　Mustang Mach 1

　　Mach 1 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) (Most Popular) - $55,570 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The current-generation Mustang is now in its ninth year of production, which is a long time in car years. It doesn't have much time left, however: The new seventh-generation Mustang will debut for the 2024 model year. Check out the Expert Rating below for our test team's complete evaluation of the car's performance, comfort and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar has had a few long-term Mustangs over the past few years, including a 2015 Mustang GT coupe, a 2015 Mustang GT coupe, and a 2015 Mustang GT coupe that we just can't seem to quit. We've racked up around 50,000 miles between the three vehicles, so check out our coverage to learn more about things like comfort, fuel economy, maintenance and performance.

　　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

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Mustang Mach 1 drive? Few sport coupes can match the balance and capability of the Mustang Mach 1. Making the most of its 480-horsepower V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission, our test Mach 1 hit 60 mph in a quick 4.1 seconds and blitzed the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds at 112.8 mph.

　　Braking performance is even more impressive. The Mach 1 stopped from 60 mph in just 94 feet, recording one of the best stopping distances we've ever seen. Part of that stopping power came from the optional supersticky tires from the available Handling package our test car was equipped with. But even without them, the braking system of the Mach 1 is excellent in all situations.

　　The Mach 1 excels on curvy roads too. When equipped with the optional Handling package, the Mach 1 returns tremendous levels of grip and confidence. In our skidpad testing, we saw a staggering 1.10 g, putting it among much more expensive sports cars. Whether you choose the standard six-speed manual or the 10-speed automatic transmission, it's hard to go wrong since both are set up to deliver ease of driving and maximum performance.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Mustang Mach 1? Balance is a continued theme in the Mach 1. Considering its capability, the Mach 1 is relatively comfortable. Aside from the typical levels of road and exhaust noise found in high-performance cars, there's little to complain about. The adjustable shock absorbers allow for a softer ride on the highway and can be switched to the Sport or Track setting for more enthusiastic driving. Rougher roads can expose the firmness of the suspension, but it's never harsh or over-the-top.

　　The Mach 1's dual-zone automatic climate control system is also a strong point. It provides good temperature regulation and has plenty of vents with excellent adjustability. Some larger drivers might dislike the aggressive bolstering on the optional Recaro seats, but they do an excellent job of holding you in during quick driving.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below