2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

　　

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.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 Dark Horse 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 Dark Horse

　　Mustang Dark Horse

　　Dark Horse 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) (Most Popular) - $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

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Mustang Dark Horse drive? Somewhat disappointingly, the Dark Horse is not much quicker than the Mustang GT in a straight line. During our instrumented testing, our manual-equipped test car sprinted to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and raced down the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 111.6 mph. That's only 0.2 second quicker to 60 and essentially identical through the quarter mile than a manual transmission-equipped Mustang GT we tested earlier. But the Dark Horse wasn't built to win drag races — it was built for track days.

　　Our test car was equipped with the optional Handling package and, among other modifications, that means it was shod with the stickiest of Pirelli rubber. As a result, the Dark Horse delivered a hugely impressive 1.12 g on our skidpad, putting it firmly in the realm of more exotic and expensive sports cars. Braking numbers, too, were just shy of amazing. Stopping from 60 mph in just 94 feet, the Dark Horse is only out-stopped by the Porsche 911 GT3, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and the C7-generation Corvette ZR1.

　　Put it all together and the Dark Horse rewards the driver with loads of confidence and speed. The brakes resisted fade over numerous hard laps, while the Dark Horse's chassis and suspension modifications allowed drivers to fully exploit all the grip of the Pirelli Trofeo RS tires. We only wish the steering provided more feel and feedback through the wheel. In more relaxed driving situations, the Dark Horse is as benign and easy to drive as a standard Mustang GT. The six-speed manual transmission's shift action is positive, direct and a great match for the Dark Horse's character.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Mustang Dark Horse? Thanks to its standard MagneRide adaptive dampers, the Dark Horse manages to deliver a fairly smooth ride even with its impressive performance potential. The optional Recaro sport seats are also pretty comfortable even considering their extra bolstering, though they lack the Mustang's otherwise available heating and ventilation functions.

　　Enthusiasts will likely have no problem with interior noise levels in the Dark Horse. There is tire and road noise from the wide tires, but the rest of the cabin is fairly well insulated. The various exhaust settings can be tailored from mild to wild, and we didn't encounter any droning over longer highway drives.

　　We're less keen on the Mustang's climate system design. The air vents don't offer enough adjustment or airflow, and some of the system's controls are touchscreen-based, which is inconvenient.

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