FordShelby GT500

　　

2022 Ford Shelby GT500 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioSenior 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　With astonishing power from its supercharged V8, massive brakes and tires, aerodynamic body trim and adaptive suspension, the 2022 Ford Shelby GT500 is one of the fastest cars on the road at any price. It can dominate your local weekend race day all day long — assuming you've got tires and gas money to spare — and then carry you comfortably back home on the highway when you're done.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ford Shelby GT500 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl S/C 7AM) 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

　　$321/mo  for Shelby GT500 Base

　　Shelby GT500 Base

　　2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl S/C 7AM) (Most Popular) - $76,820 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The GT500's breadth of capabilities make it hard to compare to just one class of rivals. Among muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye is an interesting option. It makes more power and has a bigger rear seat, but those come at the expense of precise and sporty handling. Then there are more upscale picks such as the BMW M4, Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911. All superlative performers in their own right. Which is right for you? Read our Expert Rating below to help you decide, and be sure to read our blog series about owning and testing a GT500 for more than a year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We bought a 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 and tested it for a year to get the full ownership experience. Check out the link for in-depth coverage from our editors about the good, bad, exhilarating and mundane aspects of life with 760 horsepower at one's disposal.

　　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

9.5/10

　　How does the Shelby GT500 drive? Monstrous. That's the easiest way to sum up the capabilities of the GT500. Straight-line performance is nothing short of shocking. Our test car ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and through the quarter mile in only 11.3 seconds at a staggering 130.7 mph. Braking from 60 mph was also impressive with a recorded distance of only 98 feet; that's close to some supercars. Handling numbers were also highly impressive and the Shelby pulled 1.17 g on our skidpad. Again, near the performance of some supercars.

　　The somewhat numb steering earns a minor demerit as does the Shelby's overly wide turning circle. You can expect to make plenty of three-point turns in this car. But the smoothness and quickness of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic deserve special mention. The transmission is adaptive and responsive to the driver's input, making stop-and-go traffic or hot-lapping a total breeze.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Shelby GT500? The GT500 is impressively comfortable considering how capable it is. Other than the considerable levels of road and exhaust noise — and they're really not out of step for this class of car — there's little to complain about. You can adjust the trick MagneRide suspension to allow for a relatively comfortable ride on the highway or switch to the Sport or Track setting for more enthusiastic driving.

　　The GT500's 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