Valentine’s Day was the perfect day for the arrival of the Ford Mustang GT at our office – a sports car that commands attention and ignites excitement. Instead of indulging in a romantic escapades, I found myself seated at a luxurious Scottsdale restaurant, accompanied by one of our furniture sales reps. Amidst our dinner conversation, which naturally veered towards cars, the sales rep proudly mentioned his lifted V8 truck awaiting him back home. Seizing the opportunity, I teased him with a sly grin, “If V8’s are your passion, you ought to lay eyes on what I’ve parked at the valet.”  

In the multi-level garage, I approached the valet and requested the keys, then greeted my host with a different heart-shaped box of candy in the form a muscle car. As we walked up to the car, his eyes lit up with desire at the sight of the Vapor Blue paint. After igniting the 5.0-liter V8 engine, I cranked the exhaust to maximum volume, filling the garage with thunderous noise that could rival a concert. The cacophony seemed to overwhelm my guest, prompting him to inappropriately handle the rear wing and make advances that bordered on HR concerns. 

Revved up

When it comes to the Ford Mustang, whether you’re a fan of its latest trendy design or not, with just one push of a button, all opinions are drowned out by the roar of its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. Despite differing views, I personally appreciate the new Mustang’s aesthetic. Its sleek design aligns perfectly with modern trends, and the concaved rear taillights lend it a deceptively compact appearance. 

With the V6 now off the table for the Mustang, the options narrow down to two: the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four and the 5.0-liter V8, which boasts a track-focused Dark Horse variant. Cutting to the chase, the base V8 GT sees a price hike—no surprises there. At $41,445, it might pinch your wallet, but it won’t break the bank. Yet, the standard GT is no slouch, packing 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Opting for the $1225 Active Performance Exhaust adds a modest 6 horsepower and 3 lb-ft of torque, but the real magic lies in hearing it firsthand to truly appreciate the difference.  

Mustang Musings

One thing remains certain: the manual transmission endures, catering to enthusiasts who relish in controlling every shift, while the 10-speed automatic stands by for those who prefer a more hands-off approach. However, the joys of a manual can quickly fade amidst the chaos of daily rush-hour traffic, leaving you questioning your life choices. Thankfully, the Mustang comes equipped with an Adaptive Cruise Control system that excels in such situations, allowing you to navigate traffic with ease—all while enjoying the manual transmission experience. The only minor downside to our manual Mustang was the absence of the ability to rev the engine from the key fob, a feature reserved for the automatic variant. Yet, as the saying goes, you can’t miss what you never had in the first place. 

PROS: Powerful performance, modernized interior, still offers a manual

Whether navigating city streets, cruising along suburban roads, or tackling winding hills, the Mustang remains a delight to drive. Its engine emits a melodious tune, producing a deep rumble at half throttle and a satisfying pop-pop-pop at peak RPMs. Driving it pushes you beyond your comfort zone, delivering exhilarating moments that keep you on the edge of your seat—depending on the selected drive mode. In normal mode, the driving experience can be as mundane as sorting through bills on a countertop. The steering dutifully performs its task without much flair, while the suspension settles into a guise of comfort that falls short. Track mode, on the other hand, lives up to its name, enhancing steering response with crisp inputs and firming up the suspension making it as desirable as stale chewing gum. 

Sport mode strikes a balance between the extremes, offering a harmonious blend of responsive steering and a more dialed in suspension. However, frequent everyday driving in this mode may necessitate an increase in Tylenol intake. And then there’s Drag mode, designed precisely for its namesake. Regardless of the selected drive mode, the brakes shine brilliantly, providing grip akin to a teething toddler’s determined bite. 

Much like any high-performance vehicle, the Mustang boasts launch control—a feature signaled by a small rocket icon on the dash, tempting you to take center stage in someone else’s Instagram Reel. However, rumors suggest that the Mustang is so swift in reaching 60 mph in just over 4 seconds on its own that engaging launch control might actually hinder acceleration. But don’t just take our word for it; we decided against testing it ourselves, wary of the paperwork that would inevitably follow if anything, but pavement was to meet our tires. 

Interior Evolution

The biggest thing Mustang fans are going to notice on the interior besides the 12.3-inch touch screen the Mustang no longer carries that double eyebrow design in the dash. This is where we see the Mustang transitioning into modern form and adopting to the new digital era. Designed to be a comfy grand tourer, the GT carries soft seats that make it ideal for long-distance travel but not nearly as supportive in the corners as one would hope. Thankfully Ford offers the Recaro seat option for that track-based snugness.

We’re not going to beat around the bush on the price, our example in the form of a GT Premium and its decently sizable options list carried a near $59,875 price tag which may stagger most. Compared to the last GT Premium Mustang we tested in 2018 that had a $51,660 MSRP, this modern Mustang was sure to follow the inflation hike. However, unlike the previous generation, this new Mustang is far more premium with added soft touch materials, the usual premium equipment like ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel and more standard safety equipment that lists longer than our forearm.  

CONS: Hard ride in Normal drive mode, too many steering wheel buttons

Technically speaking, you don’t necessarily need the optional $1195 Mustang Nite Pony Package, the $1750 Magnetic Ride Dampers, or even the $1225 Active Valve Exhaust. Yet, when all these elements come together, they elevate the Mustang’s performance credentials to a level that makes every moment behind the wheel an exhilarating experience, overshadowing any thoughts of the pending monthly payment that is sitting on the counter.