History/Overview
The current, sixth-generation Mustang dates back to 2015, when it adopted its first-ever independent rear suspension, and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
The Mustang's fundamentals are carried over for 2020, but there are changes to the car's lists of standard and optional items.
Most notably, Ford has renamed the EcoBoost performance package as the 2.3L high-performance package, but it brings the same upgrades as before.
The EcoBoost handling package now includes the high-tech MagneRide suspension.
There are new wheel designs and colour options, and last year's standard six-way front passenger seat has been downgraded to a four-way seat.
Available Trims
Mustang trims are EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium (fastback and convertible), GT (fastback only), GT Premium (fastback and convertible), Bullitt, Shelby GT350, and Shelby GT500.
EcoBoost models use a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. GT and Bullitt versions get a 5.0L V8, GT 350 gets a 5.2L V8, and GT 500 cars use a supercharged 5.2L V8.
Transmissions are a six-speed manual that's standard in all cars save for the GT 500, which gets a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 2.3L and 5.0L cars can be optioned with a 10-speed automatic.
Standard Features
Mustang EcoBoost comes with 17-inch wheels, manual air conditioning, active noise cancellation, a six-speaker stereo, SYNC infotainment, four-way manual front seats and a dual exhaust with bright tips.
Mustang GT gets larger brakes, 18-inch wheels, a six-way power driver's seat and a four-way power front passenger seat, LED fog lights, and a rear diffuser.
EcoBoost Premium cars add selectable drive modes, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a nine-speaker stereo with satellite radio and SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, an integrated garage door opener, dual-zone automatic climate control, premium door trim, heated and cooled front seats, leather upholstery, a decklid spoiler, and heated side mirrors.
Bullitt trim gets another brake upgrade, MagneRide suspension, an active exhaust with quiet mode, 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, white cue-ball shifter, a digital gauge cluster, a hand-stitched centre console cover, a 12-speaker B&O stereo, navigation, and blind spot monitoring.
The Shelby GT350 gets larger brakes yet again, red brake calipers, launch control (with the automatic transmission), and a steering wheel trimmed in leather and Alcantara. This car keeps SYNC 3 but reverts to a nine-speaker stereo, and also gets Recaro seats with manual adjustments. Blind spot monitoring moves to the options list, and HID headlights replace LEDs.
The GT 350R is a lightweight version that also boasts some suspension tricks from the GT 500.
As we outlined above, the GT 500 gets a supercharged engine and a dual-clutch transmission, and adds 20-inch wheels, leather-trimmed six-way power driver and front passenger seats, and switches the GT 350's HID headlights for the LEDs in lesser trims.
Key Options
The newly named 2.3L high-performance pack adds 20 hp, for a total of 330, in addition to the high-performance package's various brake and suspension upgrades. The V8-powered GT also offers a pair of performance packages that add items like a limited-slip differential and upgraded engine cooling.
Premium models can be optioned with a heated steering wheel, navigation and a digital gauge cluster.
A GT 350 tech package brings the 12-speaker stereo, blind spot monitoring, navigation, and heated side mirrors with memory.
The GT 500 carbon fibre track package is a $25,000 extra with carbon fibre wheels, dash, and rear wing. It also deletes the rear seat and adds adjustable front suspension strut mounts.
Fuel Economy
There's a lot of data to deal with here, so bear with us.
2.3L cars are rated 11.2/7.3 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 10-speed auto, and 11.2/7.9 with the stickshift. The performance package changes those figures to 11.8/8.4 with the auto and 11.8/8.7 with the stick, or 12.1/9.1 in convertible form.
5.0L Mustang estimates are 15.0/9.1 L/100 km with the 10-speed (15.4/9.7 for the convertible) and 16.1/9.9 with the six-speed stick.
GT 350 estimates are 17.1/11.4, and the GT 500 is rated 19.9/12.7.
Competition
The Ford Mustang's main competition comes from the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, though the Dodge is a purer muscle car than the other two.
You might also line the Mustang up against Euro sportsters like the Jaguar F-Type, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman.
