History/Overview
The original pony car still brings the right balance of cost, performance and looks to the market after more than 50 years, offering options ranging from a four-cylinder automatic convertible to the racetrack-destroying Shelby GT500. If you want something fun and sporty, chances are there is a Mustang that's exactly what you're looking for.
What's New
For 2021, a new Mach 1 Mustang trim that adds performance and power over the GT is added. All models also get Ford Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance as standard. Meanwhile, the Bullitt and Shelby GT350 models have been dropped from the lineup.
Available Trims
Starting with the hardtop Fastback model, Ford offers EcoBoost Fastback, EcoBoost Premium Fastback, GT Fastback, and GT Premium. All Ecoboost models get a 310 hp 2.3L turbo-four with manual or automatic gearboxes and the GT has a 460 hp 5.0L V8. Convertible cars are offered as EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium as well as GT Premium. Mach 1 offers Mach 1 and Mach 1 Premium with 480 hp and at the top is the Shelby GT500 with a 5.2L supercharged and 760 hp V8. On all but GT500, a six-speed manual is standard with a 10-speed auto optional
Standard Features
Base cars offer Ford's driver aids including pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking as well as lane-keeping and blind spot with cross-traffic alerts. Push-button start and leather-wrapped steering wheel are included with manual-adjust cloth seats. The audio system uses Ford Sync. 17-inch alloys are standard as are dual exhaust tips and LED headlights. Premium adds dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch dash info display, ambient lighting, hand-stitched center console lid, nine-speaker audio, Sync3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power-adjust driver seat (heated and cooled for the front), as well as larger wheels.
GT adds larger brakes, rev-matching for the manual, 18-inch wheels and tires, power front seats, and the V8 but is otherwise equipped as base. GT Premium adds the same equipment as EcoBoost Premium as well as heated and cooled leather seats.
Mach 1 adds Brembo brakes, special stability control, magnetic dampers, limited-slip rear, active valve exhaust with quiet time mode, 19-inch summer tires, 12-inch digital dash, wrapped center console, Mach 1 badging, and cloth front buckets. Mach 1 Premium adds memory driver seat, heated wheel, and heated and cooled leather front seats.
GT500 has even larger brakes and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. 20-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are standard. The cars get a Shelby special instrument panel, leather and Alcantara wheel with paddles, heated and cooled leather front seats, quad-tip exhaust, 20-inch wheels, and signature lighting.
Key Options
EcoBoost key options include the High Performance engine with 330 hp. Safe and Smart adds adaptive cruise and navigation. On Premium, 201A includes 12-inch digital dash, heated wheel, adaptive cruise, navigation, and other trim accents.
On GT, 301A offers nine-speaker audio, satellite radio, and other special trim features. GT Premium offers 401A which includes the options from 201A. Mach 1 offers a handling pack with 19-inch wheels and adjustable suspension as well as new chassis tuning, performance front splitter and rear spoiler. Recaro seats are offered. Mach 1 Premium offers the same as well as a Mach 1 Elite package with B&O 12-speaker audio. Finally GT500 offers Carbon Fibre Handling Package with adjustable suspension, catch can, and splitter wickers, Carbon Fibre Track Pack which adds 20-inch carbon fibre wheels high-performance tires, removes the rear seat and includes Recaro leather-trimmed seats, A Technology package includes B&O audio, six-way power driver seat, and navigation.
Fuel Economy
With so many different variants, this is an extensive chart.
2.3L cars are rated 11.0/7.5 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 10-speed auto, and 11.4/8.1 with the stickshift. Convertibles get 11.9/8.4 and 11.8/8.6 The performance package changes those figures to 11.7/8.6 with the auto and 11.9/8.7 with the stick, or 12.1/8.9 in convertible auto form and 12.4/9.3 in convertible manual.
5.0L Mustang estimates are 15.3/9.8 L/100 km with the 10-speed (15.8/10.4 for the convertible) and 16.2/10.0 with the six-speed stick.
Mach 1 is rated for 15.3/10.1 with the auto and 16.6/10.5 with the stick.
The GT 500 is rated 19.9/12.8.
Competition
While the biggest competition for this car comes in the form of the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, the Toyota Supra and Nissan Z compete with four-cylinder versions while the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche Boxter and Cayman compete with faster versions.
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