Summary
Ford unveiled the seventh chapter of its storied Mustang sports car with reworked but familiar styling, revised chassis hardware, an all-new interior, and two upgraded powertrains. While the new pony is saddled for the future with a number of upgrades, the long-term fate of its closest competitors, the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger, is not so rosy. The new generation of cars will continue to be powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 engine and an updated 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo engine, although Ford hasn’t told us how many horses are in either powertrain—only there will be more. of them than before. Both a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic will be available depending on engine choice. The Mustang will continue to be offered in hardtop coupe and soft top convertible models. The redesigned Mustang’s cockpit includes an available 13.2-inch display that is part of a large curved display that extends over the center stack area. The system also replaces traditional knobs for climate control and radio with touchscreen “buttons”. Sales of the new pony car will begin sometime in the summer, 2023.
What’s New for 2024?
The Mustang will enter its seventh generation with sales starting in the summer, 2023. The new design brings the Mustang some much-needed updates. Amid the many styling and powertrain changes is a list of new offerings for those who really need speed. Both Mustang GT and EcoBoost models will offer an optional Performance Pack equipment upgrade. The Performance Pack adds front strut-tower support, Torsen limited-slip differential, wider wheels and tires, larger Brembo brakes and MagneRide active damper suspension. An optional Recaro bucket and active exhaust are also available for those who are performance-oriented. Additionally, Ford is offering a Performance Electronic Parking Brake that looks like a traditional lever handbrake and is said to make the Mustang easier to hover. The all-new Mustang Dark Horse ready-to-wear model has also been added to the lineup, with a more sinister 500-hp Coyote V-8 engine and a direct line to Ford Performance parts bays with sleeker, more ruthless equipment upgrades.
Price and Where to Buy
Mustang continues to offer the turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost in the base tier and the V-8 in the GT model. We estimate the former will start at around $30,000 and the latter at $40,000. While we won’t know the specifics of each trim until the 2024 Mustang approaches its summer, 2023 sale date, it would be hard not to recommend the top-dog GT. A Mustang with a V-8 engine feels just right, delivering more performance and an ear-pleasing growl. Plus, it’s the only powertrain to offer a six-speed manual transmission.
Engine, Transmission and Performance
The new Mustang comes standard with an upgraded 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. We think it’s likely the Mustang will share a similar output to the Bronco sporting a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, but Ford hasn’t released official specs yet. While every EcoBoost Mustang gets a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Mustang GT, which continues to offer a 5.0-liter V-8, has a standard six-speed manual. The last-generation Coyote V-8 made 450 horsepower with 420 pound-feet of torque, so let’s hope Ford sweetens its new horse with a bit of extra dizziness. The all-new Mustang Dark Horse model is a track-focused move based on the GT and uses a 500-hp 5.0-liter V-8 with a 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Ford says the heart of this engine uses the connecting rods from the 760-hp Mustang Shelby GT500 plus a revised intake system. We will update this space with manufacturer performance specifications as Ford makes it available.
Real World Fuel Economy and MPG
The EPA has yet to release an official fuel economy estimate for the 2024 Mustang EcoBoost or GT, but for reference, we should mention the last Mustang to get an EPA estimate of 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with a turbo four-cylinder and 10 speed. automatic. For the last-generation V-8, the added horsepower sacrifices efficiency for an estimated 15 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. We will update this space with info for the updated 2024 Mustang as it becomes available. For more information on Mustang fuel economy, visit EPA website.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
From the driver’s seat of the 2024 Mustang, every detail has been sculpted with what Ford calls a “fighter-jet-inspired” design. While we wait to see if the Mustang’s performance will break the sound barrier, the standard 12.4-inch instrument cluster is a big leap from the previous car. The configurable display can be customized to suit the needs of most red, white, and blue patriots, with selectable colors, gauges, and even a “quiet” screen that only displays the most necessary details. Ambient lighting and driver display adapt to whichever driving mode you choose. The Base Mustang comes with fabric upholstery and micro suede vinyl inserts available, while the Premium level adds stitched bits and pieces from the door trim to the dashboard. The Mustang GT gets leather inserts. Ford has also introduced the Remote Rev function which allows the car’s engine to increase its RPM with a simple click of the key fob while admiring the sound from outside the car.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The main area of improvement for the new Mustang is its interior gadgets. The 13.2-inch infotainment screen available using the Ford Sync 4 software flows from the gauge cluster towards the center of the car behind a curved glass panel. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on these systems, and an optional wireless smartphone charger helps drivers cut down on charging cable clutter. Amazon Alexa and Ford Streaming allow voice commands to replace knob playback or keystrokes, and each Mustang is equipped with Ford Power-Up software capabilities that allow for over-the-air updates to the vehicle’s software and upgrades at a later date.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
The Mustang is also available with more driver-assist technology than its rival pony cars, so you can go faster and feel safer. Every Mustang is equipped with a Ford Co-Pilot360. For more information on Mustang crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key security features include:
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- Standard lane departure warning and lane guard assistance
- Optional active pit mitigation (included with Performance Pack)
As more information becomes available, we will update this story with more details on:
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
