Professionals: Huge energy from all engines; many flavors; obtainable convertible; just-for-fun options together with Drift Brake and customizable shows; spacious trunk
Cons: 10-speed auto not performance-oriented sufficient; restricted customization of drive mode settings; tough journey with Efficiency pack; Convertible cowl shake
We’re not so positive that the newest era of Mustang is healthier wanting than its predecessor (or even when it’s truly a brand new era), however there’s no denying that the 2025 Ford Mustang is a extra characterful automotive due to a wide range of just-for-the-helluvit options supposed to make the fashionable pony automotive that rather more particular. Scare the crap out of that nosy neighbor by revving the engine out of your kitchen with the important thing fob? Examine. Change the gauges to appear like these from an ’87 Mustang? Examine. Decide as an alternative for a mix of 30 completely different colours unfold throughout the large, double show panel? You bought it. How about our private favourite, the Drift Brake, that was in all probability essentially the most enjoyable we’ve had in a automotive since … nicely, we weren’t that adventurous in highschool, so it’s in all probability the Drift Brake. Anyway, you will get that and have a great deal of foolish enjoyable, too.
Sadly, you’ll be able to not get the Drift Brake with the bottom EcoBoost four-cylinder engine because the Excessive Efficiency bundle it was included in has been discontinued for 2025. Perhaps nobody was checking that possibility field, nevertheless it nonetheless looks like a misstep given how cool that specific possibility is. Maybe it’s simply indicative of the truth that those that need to have enjoyable of their Mustang nonetheless need one with a V8. If that’s the case, the 2025 Mustang gives two nice ones: the 480-horsepower Coyote V8 within the GT and the 500-horsepower model within the Mustang Darkish Horse. Each may be had with a 10-speed automated or a six-speed handbook … yay.
An overhaul of the Mustang’s chassis final yr additionally noticed it grow to be each sharper and extra composed whatever the driving atmosphere. Ensure that to drive it with and with out the GT Efficiency Pack, although, as a result of even when you’d miss out on the Drift Brake, its firmer journey could take its toll if used as a every day driver – particularly with the Mustang Convertible. All instructed, the Mustang stays a favourite of ours, even when its conventional muscle automotive opponents (Camaro and Challenger) have each moved on to the nice storage within the sky. An absence of competitors solely will increase its enchantment.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2025?
The EcoBoost Excessive Efficiency bundle is not obtainable, which suggests you’ll be able to’t get its Drift Brake with the four-cylinder. That appears unhappy. Wi-fi charging can be not obtainable in any respect, which isn’t simply unhappy, however arduous to fathom in 2024. Twin-zone local weather management is now normal on each Mustang. Lastly, you’ll be able to not get the Mustang in Atlas Blue, Speedy Pink, Yellow Splash or Darkish Matter Grey; however Wimbledon White and one thing referred to as Molten Magenta Metallic are picked up. Looks like a web loss.
What are the Mustang inside and in-car expertise like?
Though some retro touches stay, the 2025 Mustang has a contemporary inside in each look and performance. It’s dominated, as so many automobiles are today, by two large screens, optionally related by one piece of glass – base fashions cut up the shows into free-standing screens – that wrap towards the motive force for a extra cockpit-like design. The gauge cluster gives 4 designs, with three of them additional customizable by offering roughly 30 colour decisions you’ll be able to combine and match in two-tone mixtures. Issues can get cheesy. The ultimate design mimics the analog gauges of the third-generation “Fox Physique” Mustang bought from 1987 to 1993. They’re very cool and in addition essentially the most legible of all of the choices.
As for the 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, it runs off Ford’s present Sync 4 structure, however incorporates a completely different interface with a widescreen orientation. Ford removed most bodily leisure and local weather controls as a result of changing them with touchscreen controls was “common in analysis with Millenials, Gen-Z and conventional Mustang drivers alike.” Certain it was. Fortunately, the local weather controls and a financial institution of menu icons stay docked on the display, together with when utilizing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. So far as all-screen interiors go, this looks like the most effective. It actually does look slick, too. Sadly, wi-fi charging is not obtainable for 2025 (good grief, why?), however a USB can nonetheless be had behind the rearview mirror for observe cameras “and different gadgets.”
How massive is the Mustang?
By sport coupe requirements, the Mustang is kind of giant. When hustling it alongside a decent mountain street, you’re at all times conscious of its sizable footprint and never insignificant weight. Then once more, it’s not a sports activities automotive, it’s a muscle automotive.
Inside, the motive force will discover ample entrance seat adjustment, together with adequate headroom for these nicely above 6 toes tall. These on the acute ends of the peak spectrum could need to suppose twice in regards to the non-compulsory Recaro seat possibility, although. They’re manually adjustable and don’t transfer in as some ways as the usual seats, which means tall drivers could have inadequate under-thigh assist and quick passengers could discover themselves staring on the sprint. The usual seats stay a bit too squishy and nonetheless don’t supply energy recline.
One of many causes for the latter omission is to make it faster to entry the again seat. Not that you simply’re possible to do this fairly often contemplating it’s finest suited to baggage and small canines. We did handle to suit a big, forward-facing little one seat behind a coupe, and it wasn’t a totally ridiculous endeavor.
As for the trunk, the coupe’s is surprisingly giant at 13.3 cubic-feet, and it got here ever-so-close to acing our baggage take a look at. The convertible loses 3 cubes, however 10.3 cubic-feet remains to be fairly good for a drop-top.
What are the Mustang gas financial system and efficiency specs?
The Mustang EcoBoost has a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That smokes many previous Mustang V8s. The one transmission obtainable is a 10-speed automated, and a limited-slip differential comes normal. Gasoline financial system is available in at 22 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed, which is fairly darn good for a Mustang. Notice these are 2024 figures as these for 2025 weren’t obtainable on the time of this writing.
The Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in normal guise, or 486 hp and 418 lb-ft with the non-compulsory energetic valve exhaust. The ten-speed auto is non-compulsory, whereas a six-speed handbook transmission is normal. It consists of an automated rev-match downshift perform and hill-start help. Gasoline financial system is principally the identical with each transmissions: 15 mpg metropolis, 24 mpg freeway and 18 mpg mixed with the auto, and 15/24/18 with the handbook. It falls to 14/23/17 with the Efficiency Bundle. We averaged round 16 mpg in every week of combined driving with a handbook GT, together with 250 miles of free-flowing freeway journey.
The Mustang Darkish Horse additionally has a 5.0-liter V8, however due to some stronger engine internals, improved consumption and a pc tweak, produces 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. Seeing “500” is admittedly fairly cool, however that’s nonetheless solely 14 horses greater than the very best GT. It additionally comes with the 10-speed automated, however its six-speed handbook possibility is a special, extra performance-oriented Tremec unit beforehand used within the Shelby GT350. Gasoline financial system stands at 14/22/17 no matter transmission.
Mustang GT Convertible and Mustang Darkish Horse
What is the Mustang prefer to drive?
There are such a lot of completely different variations and choices that may basically change how the Mustang drives, we’re going to do one thing a bit completely different right here and supply some particular observations which may level you within the path of 1 model over one other.
- Don’t dismiss the EcoBoost. It might not sound pretty much as good as a V8, nevertheless it has extra energy than loads of outdated Mustang V8s, and it has completely no downside getting the tires smoking. The lack of the Excessive Efficiency Pack does restrict its dealing with capabilities, nevertheless.
- It additionally means you’ll be able to’t get one among our favourite options: the Drift Brake that’s wildly, laugh-out-loud enjoyable. Ensure that to make use of it in a protected place, however man, what a riot. You may examine it extra right here.
- Regardless of the drift brake and its unquestionable dealing with and braking enchancment, the Efficiency Pack ends in a tough journey. Sure, even with the bundle’s magnetically managed dampers (that basically ought to supply a softer setting). That is all made worse within the Convertible, which suffers from fixed cowl shake because of this.
- Significantly take into account getting the handbook transmission. It’s simple and fascinating to make use of, particularly with its auto rev-matching perform. The automated simply isn’t up for responsibility in a efficiency automotive, and worse, it doesn’t come normal with paddle shifters.
- The Mustang gives a number of drive modes and 6 customized settings, however nothing permits you to pair a softer suspension setting with extra aggressive throttle, transmission, steering and stability/traction settings – one thing helpful on real-world, bumpy roads that may upset a chassis with a too-firm suspension.
- We’ve had combined ideas in regards to the Mustang steering, and it looks like driver desire will in all probability decide how you’re feeling about it, too.
- You may learn our in-depth Mustang Darkish Horse evaluate right here. In brief, although, we’re unsure the Darkish Horse is actually so a lot better than a loaded GT with the Efficiency pack that it really works out to be a worthwhile improve for the cash. Particularly when you intend it to be your every day driver. Actually, you’re simply including stiffer springs, 14 horses and the much-improved six-speed trans (when you get it in any respect). That’s not nothin’, nevertheless it’s a comparability to think about, for positive.
What different Ford Mustang opinions can I learn?
2024 Ford Mustang GT & EcoBoost First Drive Evaluation: You need foolish? It provides you foolish
Our first drive of the 2024 Mustang, together with essentially the most in-depth driving impressions of the four- and eight-cylinder variations, plus the coupe and convertible.
2024 Ford Mustang Darkish Horse First Drive Evaluation: New mannequin, acquainted components
The brand new range-topping Mustang is just not with out its charms, however we discover its benefits over a top-notch GT to be restricted.
The 2024 Ford Mustang has a drift brake. It. Is. AWESOME!
What the headline says. Learn all about one of many coolest issues I’ve skilled in a brand new automotive in a really very long time.
Ford Mustang Baggage Check
As soon as once more, the Mustang wows with a trunk far greater and extra helpful than you’d count on from a coupe.
What’s the 2025 Mustang value?
Costs for the Mustang EcoBoost keep put for 2025, however the GT and Darkish Horse get vital bumps from the place they began for the 2024 mannequin yr (although a part of that’s the results of a mid-model-year value bump). Possibility costs additionally go up significantly, together with these for the Brembo brakes and energetic exhaust. The B&O sound system has additionally been faraway from the Premium Excessive Gear Group regardless of that bundle not altering in value. The sound system is now a $995 stand-alone possibility.
All costs under embrace the $1,595 vacation spot cost and are for the coupe physique model. We didn’t know Convertible costs on the time of this writing, however final yr, it commanded premiums of $8,100 (EcoBoost) and $5,500 (EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium).
- EcoBoost Fastback: $33,515
- EcoBoost Premium: $39,040
- GT Fastback: $47,055
- GT Premium Fastback: $51,575
- Darkish Horse: $64,875
- Darkish Horse Premium: $69,870
What are the Mustang security rankings and driver help options?
The NHTSA gave the Mustang coupe good five-star rankings in each class.
Each Mustang comes normal with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver help options. These embrace ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, rear site visitors automobile exit warning, and post-impact auto braking. The Co-Pilot 360 Help+ bundle obtainable on the Premium trims provides evasive steering help and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality (that specific aspect is understandably solely included with an automated transmission).
