Without a personal allegiance to muscle cars, sports cars, pickup trucks or electric vehicles, it’s difficult to understand some buyers’ singular preferences.
Nearly a million consumers in the United States purchase a new Ford pick-up truck annually and that’s all they’ll ever buy. Subaru owners cruise past plenty of vehicles stuck in the snow. And when it’s time for a new vehicle, something in the versatile, utilitarian all-wheel-drive Japanese carmaker’s lineup is the only choice.
Muscle cars always made the least sense — until now. The 2024 Ford Mustang GT sports coupe, with its V8 and snarly, soothing exhaust note can win over even automobile owners for whom only reliability previously mattered.
For a driver whose transportation leanings favor efficiency rather than performance, the 5.0-liter, 486-horsepower Mustang changes everything. Great gas mileage and the nuances of home-based electric charging systems and improved public charging stations be damned — just because.
Plenty of purists debate the Mustang’s status. Is it a muscle car? Pony car? Sports car? Does it matter? The new Mustang, the debut of the vehicle now in its seventh decade, is an automotive icon. Power through the six-speed manual transmission with finesse (never anger) and have some fun. A 10-speed automatic may suit some buyers, but it seems contrary to the car’s focus. Hardtop coupe and soft-top convertible body styles are offered.
What’s all the fuss about the new Mustang? Start with legacy. The car debuted in 1964 and 60 years later it’s the only car Ford still makes. It may be a purchase of the heart. But who’s to say there’s something wrong with that?
Beyond sentiment, consider: The GT sports coupe is a fine choice, but the 2024 Mustang is also available as an EcoBoost GT with a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic. All choices accelerate well. The EcoBoost achieves the 0-to-60 miles per hour standard in 5.6 seconds. The six-speed GT completes the task in 4.8 seconds, while the automatic surprisingly produces the quickest effort, 4.3 seconds.
New this year is extreme Dark Horse trim which features additional chassis tuning and 500 horsepower. Gas mileage averages in the GT coupe are 15 miles per gallon in driving, 23 mpg on the highway.
With its array of trim choices, the Mustang has a wide range of starting prices, $32,515 to $61,080 depending on the trim and options. The GT Performance package adds about $5,000 extra. It adds 19-inch wheels, Brembo calipers, a 3.73-geared Torsen differential and appearance jewelry.
While a new generation, the vehicle’s interior and exterior have only a few updates. The interior has a more modern layout, although rear seating is still best suitable only for petite individuals.
Technology efficiency has been improved with a 12.4-inch digital instrument panel joined to a 13.2-inch touchscreen powered by Ford’s Sync 4 system. The instrument panel configuration is multiuser and intuitive. The touchscreen is easy to read and it works quickly with a straightforward use structure. A 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a wireless charging pad are among several options.
The Mustang design strayed from acceptable boundaries for several years. But the 2024 model looks like the Mustang should look. The body panel design is new and the car looks more fit.
What the Mustang also has is an intangible coolness factor. A 1968 Mustang was the vehicle of choice for Steve McQueen while the police lieutenant, Frank Bullitt, he portrayed in the 1968 movie Bullitt chased criminals around the hilly streets of San Francisco.
Likely minus his signature turtleneck and shoulder gun holster, driving the new Mustang while channeling McQueen isn’t a bad way to go.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, is the founder and senior editor of TheWeeklyDriver.com. Published since 2004, it features new car reviews, industry news and signups for a free newsletter and podcast. E-mail: [email protected].
