Review - Ford Mustang

Starting Price: $51,690 (plus on-road costs)

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Ford Mustang (2.3 GTDi) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Ford Mustang car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Ford Mustang range kicks off at $51,690 for the High Performance Fastback model fitted with a manual gearbox, while the automatic is priced from $54,690. If you’re looking for an open-top sports car, the High Performance Convertible will set you back $60,990. The range then moves to the GT Fastback, with the manual priced at $64,390 and the automatic version coming in at $67,390; the convertible version comes with a price tag of $75,225. Finally, the range-topping Mustang Mach 1 with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission is priced at $83,365. 

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What Features Does the Ford Mustang Have?

Both the entry-level High Performance and mid-range GT come with the same set of features, which includes a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED head, tail and fog lights, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera with rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, heated and ventilated leather seats, keyless entry and start, ambient lighting, 8.0-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an active exhaust system, 12-inch driver’s display as well as a 12-speaker sound system and FordPass Connect.

Stepping up to the range-topping Mustang Mach 1 adds MagneRide adaptive suspension, although it’s worth noting that the Mach 1 loses a number of key features like adaptive cruise control, fog lights and rear parking sensors.

Range Features:

• 19-inch alloys
• 12-inch digital driver’s display
• LED head and tail lights
• Active exhaust system
• Reversing camera with rear parking sensors (excludes Mach 1)
• Adaptive cruise control (excludes Mach 1)
• MagneRide adaptive suspension (standard on Mach 1; optional extra for the rest of the range)

Ford Mustang Colours

Is it Fun to Drive?

Ford’s recipe for the Mustang over the years has been remarkably simple: place a large engine over the front axle and send all the power to the rear wheels for maximum fun. While the recipe itself hasn’t changed dramatically, Ford’s introduction of a turbocharged four-cylinder unit raised questions about whether the High Performance is worthy of the Mustang badge. We’re glad to report, however, that the entry-level Mustang is a pleasure to drive, and is significantly faster than you’d expect from a small engine. It produces 236kW and 448Nm from the 2.3-litre unit, which is more than enough to get the heart racing. Better still, the suspension has been tuned to hold the Mustang flat through the corners, meaning the High Performance very much lives up to its name when you put it through its paces in the corners.

Most buyers, however, will be taking a very close look at the fully-fledged 5.0-litre V8 powering the GT and Mach 1, which throws 339kW and 556Nm (345kW in the Mach 1) to the rear-wheels via a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. From the moment you start the engine, you’re reminded that this is a special car, and this only amplifies as you stomp on the throttle and pick up speed. All this power means that the Mustang is an exceptional tourer for long journeys, especially when the adaptive suspension package is optioned that eats up rough Australian road surfaces. Overall, the Mustang ticks all the important boxes when it comes to driving dynamics, which should come as no surprise considering it’s a thoroughbred sports car that has been brought into the modern age by one of the best manufacturers in the business.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

The Mustang’s performance and ability on the road comes at the expense of its overall ability. It has been primarily designed as a sports car and two-seater tourer, which means it struggles when it comes to accommodating more than two passengers. The front of the cabin is happy to welcome two passengers in style and comfort, but the same cannot be said for any passengers in the rear of the cabin.

While there are two seats behind the driver and front passenger, anyone larger than a young teenager will struggle to be comfortable in the rear seats, which is something to keep in mind if you’re thinking of doing school runs or holiday trips in your Mustang. Legroom isn’t the biggest issue here, instead, it’s the lack of headroom which can make the rear of the Mustang feel claustrophobic for some. In the boot of the convertible, there’s 324L of cargo storage on offer, which expands to 408L in the standard fastback variant, which Ford says is enough to carry two sets of golf clubs.

For most buyers, though, their Mustang won’t be needed for transporting more than one passenger at a time, and practicality is unlikely to be a key concern before their purchase.

Is it Safe?

The Ford Mustang has been awarded a three-star safety rating from ANCAP, with most of the safety points deducted for child occupant protection and safety assist technologies. As standard, all Mustang models come with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision and lane-departure warnings, lane-keep assistance and eight airbags. Overall, the Mustang has an average safety score compared to similar cars in the sports car segment.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Mustang’s fuel economy changes dramatically depending on which engine you’re opting for. The base model’s turbocharged four-cylinder unit is rated at 8.8L per 100km on a combined cycle for the manual, while the automatic is rated at 9.6L per 100km. Moving to the 5.0-litre V8 unit adds a significant amount of power, but that power comes at the expense of fuel economy, with an official fuel economy rated at 13L per 100km for the manual and 12.7L per 100km for the automatic. The range-topping Mach 1 has an economy rating of 13.9L per 100km for the manual and 12.4L per 100km for the automatic.

Our Verdict: Is the Ford Mustang Worth it?

With the latest generation Mustang, Ford has maintained all the important ingredients of its famous recipe and added some much-needed modern touches and sophistication. It drives better than any previous Mustang thanks to clever engineering, and although it falls short in terms of practicality, safety and economy, it stays true to the hallmarks that made the Mustang name an icon in the first place. With that in mind, the Mustang is irreplaceable in its segment, and is a car that prioritises the enjoyment of the driver above all else. If you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto car buying service can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Turbo four-cylinder standard, V8 in GT Fastback and above
2. Mach-1 loses adaptive cruise control and parking sensors, but adds adaptive suspension
3. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty
4. Just 700 Mach 1 units will be shipped to Australia
5. Rear seats are problematic for anyone larger than a child

Pros

• Heavenly V8 soundtrack
• Fun and engaging rear-wheel drive platform
• Comfortable and effortless highway cruiser

Cons

• Range-topping Mach 1 missing features packed into the base model
• V8 unit is thirsty
• Average ANCAP safety rating (3 stars)

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Ford Mustang Competition