As Ford prunes its car offerings it expands its Mustang lineup, especially in terms of performance choices. The variety of options and the performance value across its spectrum of offerings earn the 2020 Ford Mustang a 7 on our features scale. Read more about how we rate cars.)
The Mustang is available in turbo-4 Ecoboost and V-8-powered GT, Bullitt, Shelby GT350, Shelby GT350R, and Shelby GT500 models. All but the Shelbys and Bullitt come in base or Premium trim. The Shelbys and Bullitt are coupes, while the rest are offered as coupes or convertibles with a power soft top.
For about $27,000, Ford outfits a base Mustang with power features, keyless ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Ford’s Sync infotainment system with a 4.2-inch center screen, Bluetooth, a wi-fi hotspot, LED headlights, a six-speaker audio system, and 17-inch alloy wheels. A line lock that lets drivers lock the front brakes to do smokey burnouts is also standard.
The new 2.3 High Performance Package upgrades to a more-powerful version of the turbo-4 and 19-inch wheels on summer tires. It also gets an active exhaust, a strut-tower brace, heavy-duty front springs, larger brakes, a larger rear sway bar, a larger radiator, an “engine spun” aluminum instrument panel, a gauge pack, the GT Performance Package’s front splitter and belly pan, a hood accent stripe, and a decklid spoiler. On top of that, buyers can get a Handling Package with grippier summer tires, wider wheels, magnetic dampers, larger brakes, and a Torsen limited-slip rear axle.
We’d opt for the power and sound of the GT, which comes standard with 18-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, power front seats, LED fog lights, rear parking sensors for about $38,000.
The Premium package for both the Ecoboost and GT adds leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite radio, and a nine-speaker, 1,000-watt B&O Play audio system.
Premium buyers can get a digital instrument cluster, navigation, a heated steering wheel, and a remote starting.
Ford has a pair of Performance Packages for the GT. The base version has 19-inch wheels with summer tires, Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers, heavy duty front springs, a larger rear sway bar, a strut tower brace, a K brace, a larger radiator, an engine-spun aluminum instrument panel, and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. Performance Pack Level 2 ups the game to include 305/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, magnetic dampers, track-ready springs and sway bars, a performance front splitter, and a unique rear spoiler.
At the top of the heap is the new $74,000 Shelby GT 500. It gets the supercharged V-8 with 760 hp mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, massive brakes with 16.5-inch rotors up front and 15-inch rotors in the rear, 305/30 and 315/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on wide 20-inch wheels, and bodywork meant for better cooling and aerodynamics. Its optional Handling Package includes just two things, adjustable strut top mounts and a Gurney flap for the rear spoiler. Above that is the $18,500 Carbon Fiber Track Package, which features Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on wider and lighter carbon-fiber wheels, a carbon-fiber instrument panel, Recaro bucket seats, a rear-seat delete, and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing.
Ford lets Mustang owners personalize their cars with an array of stripes, decals, wheels, and interior trim bits.
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