Bringing a true slice of Americana to the UK, the Ford Mustang brings everything you’d expect from a V8-powered muscle car. Old-school looks combined with big performance and a raucous exhaust note to make this a throwback with lots of the latest tech. The Mustang has evolved over time and in its current guise, it is one of the more accomplished GT cars out there.
If you’re after a car with a bit of Hollywood cool, then the Ford Mustang has always been the answer. The latest car keeps its famous V8 engine, but adds some clever in-car features that make this far more usable day-to-day than you may expect.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioThe Ford Mustang has always been pitched as a more performance car and though prices have crept up in recent years, it still undercuts many rivals. Prices start at £58,470 for a standard GT, while convertible versions kick off from £61,970. Dark Horse models, meanwhile, which get a greater level of standard equipment, start from £70,640.
However, head to the second-hand market and there are some savings to be made. We found a Dark Horse Mustang on AA Cars for £58,999, despite having covered under 1,000 miles. GT cars, meanwhile, can be found for under £55,500 for a 2025-year model, while versions from 2018 can be had for around 34,990 - though these don’t benefit from updated styling or tech found on the latest cars.
Currently, the Mustang is only available with a punchy 5.0-litre V8 engine. The V8 engine has gone hand-in-hand with the Mustang since its creation in the 1960s, so it’s only fitting that it remains available for it today. Earlier versions of the current-generation Mustang were also available with a V6 Ecoboost engine, but it didn’t prove all that popular, so Ford phased it out in 2017. In fact, it only spent two years on sale.
With 447bhp, the V8 engine is very powerful and sends all of its power to the rear wheels. There’s the option of either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearbox, with the latter bringing the best acceleration. With this setup, the Mustang will manage 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Step into the Mustang’s cabin and you’ll be met with a very sporty driving position. You look out over the long, sweeping bonnet and, if you’re new to this car, there’s a good chance that things might feel a little intimidating to begin with. It’s quite hard to judge where the car’s front corners are - they feel miles away.
However, relax into the Mustang experience and it quickly becomes intoxicating. Much of that is down to the noise generated by that V8 engine; it may have been toned down in recent years thanks to stricter emissions regulations, but it’s still very noticeable. Particularly when you’re driving around town, there’s a constant burble which accompanies every press of the throttle. It’s a very exciting experience overall.
Muscle cars like the Ford Mustang haven’t historically been known for their sharp handling, but this latest model contrasts that. It’s got a great road-holding ability and clings on through corners, generating lots of grip from its ultra-wide tyres. The steering, as is the case in other Ford models, does feel a little elastic - it’s like there’s a rubber band attached to each side - but you do get a good sense of what the front wheels are doing when you turn.
Being a powerful, rear-wheel-drive car, you do need to take extra care in wet or slippery conditions, as the back of the car will happily step out if you’re over-confident with the throttle. That said, drive it neatly and the Mustang is a very rewarding car to pilot.
Inside the cabin of the Mustang, you’ll find a combination of old-school design touches and more modern features. There’s a classic-looking red starter button which adds some theatre to every start of the engine, while small ‘Mustang’ badges are found in a number of areas, including in front of the passenger. A large wraparound screen is found on the latest Mustang models, too, but you can configure the driver’s display to showcase some retro-style readouts to add a more classic edge to the feel of the interior.
The general fit-and-finish is good, too, and though there are some harsher plastics lower down the cabin, it’s an altogether pleasant place to be. There are many silver elements which help to brighten up the otherwise black-coloured cabin, too.
The interior of the Mustang follows a classic 2+2 format. It means that while there are four dedicated seats, the rear ones are very small and only really suited to use by children. The rear seats do, however, have ISOFIX mounting points for child seats but since this is a coupe, actually getting them into place will prove to be quite the struggle. It really is best to think of those back seats as ‘occasional’.
However, in terms of boot space, the Mustang does quite well. You get 402 litres as standard, which is more than you’ll find in many of this car’s rivals. However, the load lip is quite high and, when coupled with the narrow opening, means that the boot isn’t all that easy to access. That said, it’ll provide more than enough space for a few large shopping bags or some soft overnight duffels.
There are some great features which come equipped to the Mustang as standard. A lot of them are mechanical, aimed at making the driving experience as exciting as possible. It’s why you get heavy-duty Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential for enhanced cornering and even an active exhaust function which means you can make a quiet exit if you don’t want to disturb people nearby.
In addition, there are lots of other great features which make the Mustang even better value. Highlights include keyless entry, a Bang and Olufsen sound system and heated, foldable wing mirrors which have an integrated puddle lamp which shines the Mustang logo on the floor at night when parked and unlocked.
While there are two choices of bodystyle - coupe and convertible - there are also two options when it comes to specification, with GT and Dark Horse to choose from. It’s worth mentioning, too, that you can only get the convertible in GT guise as it’s unavailable in Dark Horse specification.
As standard, GT cars bring 19-inch wheels, the aforementioned active exhaust system with adjustable valves and chromed tailpipes for an old-school look. Inside, you’ve got a full leather upholstery with vinyl accents - just like the original Mustang - and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Plus, all Mustang models get a 13.2-inch infotainment system, with a 12.4-inch driver’s display ahead of the steering wheel.
Step up to Dark Horse specification and not only are you getting a more aggressive design courtesy of a black rear spoiler and bonnet decals, but the 5.0-litre V8 engine under the bonnet gets a modest increase in power, rising from the GT’s 439bhp to 447bhp in this model. Dark Horse cars also benefit from MagnaRide Adaptive Suspension, too, which incorporates a pothole mitigation system which can lessen the impact of larger potholes on the ride quality. For enhanced performance, the Dark Horse also gets additional engine and transmission oil coolers to help the Mustang to operate at higher temperatures for longer.
The Mustang is also available with a great range of colours, moving from the eye-catching Race Red and Grabber Blue to more understated shades like Absolute Black and Oxford White. A distinctive Blue Ember - a purple-type colour - is also only available on Dark Horse cars.
Ford has equipped the Mustang with plenty of safety equipment to help keep things on the straight and narrow. As standard, all Mustang models get features such as blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control with speed limiter. There’s also a lane departure aid and lane departure warning system included as standard as well. Mustang cars also incorporate an active bonnet which can help to cushion the impact for any pedestrian involved in a collision with the car.
In terms of reliability, the Mustang should be pretty good, too. The V8 engine under the bonnet is relatively uncomplicated, though maintenance will be paramount - a high-performance engine like this will need to be routinely serviced and inspected to keep it in the best-possible condition.
Unsurprisingly, this V8-powered muscle car is quite heavy in terms of fuel economy. At best, Ford claims that you could get up to 28mpg from the Mustang but, in reality, it’s more likely to be under 20mpg and could drop far lower if you use more of this car’s performance. That said, CO2 emissions of up to 278g/km actually aren’t as high as you might think, but certainly more than what you’d get from something like a hot hatch.
Taxation will be relatively high as a result and since all Mustang versions cost over £40,000 new, they’ll incur the Expensive Car Supplement for the first five years after registration.
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