As before, the new Mustang is rear-wheel drive and offered as either a fastback or convertible. There are six trims to kick off the seventh generation: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, Dark Horse, and Dark Horse Premium. The two with EcoBoost in the name use a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (315 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque), while the GT and GT Premium are whisked into action by a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 (480 hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque). But the most power is unleashed by the Dark Horse trims: they use the same Coyote V8, but it’s tuned to churn out 500 hp and 418 lb.-ft. of torque.
Buyers of the V8-equipped Mustangs can choose to control their own shifting with the standard six-speed manual transmission. The EcoBoost versions only come with a 10-speed automatic, which is optional in conjunction with the V8. While the Dark Horse trims also have a six-speed stick-shift, theirs is an exclusive TREMEC with a distinct titanium-anodized shift knob in blue.
As the base Mustang, the EcoBoost has a great assortment of standard features, including a track-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, automatic LED headlights, proximity keyless entry (Intelligent Access), push-button ignition, a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped shift knob, single-zone automatic climate control, and a pair of smart-charging USB ports. This well-rounded trim also incorporates a slick 13.2-inch touchscreen for Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, which gives you Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, voice recognition, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system. For a higher degree of on-road safety, the Ford Co-Pilot360 technology suite is included to provide automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, a lane-keeping system with road edge detection, blind-spot assist, rain-sensing wipers, and rear parking sensors.
The EcoBoost Premium dials up the desirability factor with the addition of dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heated and leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, heated side mirrors, power-adjustable front seats that are heated and ventilated, wireless phone charging, and ActiveX simulated-leather upholstery. As for the infotainment setup on this trim, it’s augmented by SiriusXM satellite radio and three more speakers (for a total of nine).
The GT’s equipment roster resembles that of the base-level EcoBoost, but with an auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather-wrapped steering wheel. What you’ll notice first, though, is this trim’s sporty hood vent and decklid spoiler. Meanwhile, the GT Premium blends the features of the EcoBoost Premium and the GT. It also adds a universal garage door opener.
The distinctive Dark Horse goes without the GT Premium’s ventilated front seats and universal garage opener, but it gains some considerable performance upgrades, such as a MagneRide damping system, Brembo brakes, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, unique chassis tuning, a stability control system, heavy-duty front springs, and a K-brace. The infotainment system goes up several notches with a premium 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, as well as HD Radio and integrated navigation. What’s more, its safety suite grows with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, intelligent speed assist, and predictive steering assist.
The Dark Horse Premium receives everything listed for the Dark Horse, along with ventilated front seats and a universal garage door opener. It’s worth mentioning that most of those premium amenities are available for the lower trims through various optional packages.
