The Ford Mustang: Refusing to Read the Room, On Purpose
Both reviews agree on something almost nostalgic: in a market drowning in hybrids and turbo three-cylinders, this car simply refuses to apologise for being exactly what it's always been.
A Car That Knows Exactly What It Is
Plenty of manufacturers spend years trying to modernise a nameplate without losing what made it special in the first place. This one has taken a different approach entirely — change what needs changing, and leave the rest stubbornly alone.
Specs at a Glance
| Body styles | Coupe, convertible |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 |
| Power | 440bhp (GT), 447bhp (Dark Horse) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | Around 20mpg real-world |
| Price range (new) | From around £55,700 |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear celebrated the car's continued existence at all, given how few naturally aspirated V8 coupes remain on sale anywhere near this price point. They found the cabin a genuine step up in quality over the previous generation, though criticised Ford for following the wider industry trend toward heavy digitisation of the interior. Their overall take was that this is deliberately a muscle car rather than a sports car, and considerably better for embracing that identity rather than fighting it.
Autocar
Autocar's road test praised the manual gearbox specifically, noting it makes the driver feel meaningfully more connected to the engine than the automatic alternative, and questioned why anyone would pick the pricier Dark Horse trim over a well-optioned standard GT given how little extra capability it adds on the road. They measured real-world fuel economy in the high teens under enthusiastic driving, dropping further with harder use, and called the car spectacular-sounding at any engine speed rather than only near the redline.
Strengths
- Naturally aspirated V8, increasingly rare at this price
- Genuinely engaging manual gearbox option
- Improved interior quality over the previous generation
- Spectacular engine sound at any rev range
Weak points
- Heavy reliance on digital interior controls
- Not a precise handler compared to dedicated sports cars
- Fuel economy drops sharply under hard driving
Who It Actually Suits
Someone who wants a characterful, old-school driving experience and doesn't mind trading outright precision for genuine engine theatre. Less suited to buyers prioritising sharp handling or fuel efficiency — this car was never trying to win either contest.
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