The Ford Mustang is a classic American car with a long heritage and a well-earned reputation. But when you start looking at the engine options, fastback vs. convertible, trim levels, and all the other choices you can make, you wind up with something like ten cars to choose from. We're here to help you sort through them.
V6 Fastback
The V6 Fastback Mustang is the base model and has a starting MSRP of $25,185. It has seating for four and gets 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, let’s talk about power. It comes with a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine that gets 300hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with a 3.15 limited-slip rear axle and a six-speed manual transmission. (You can shell out for a 3.55 gears and/or a 6-speed automatic transmission, if you're so inclined.)
Some of the best interior features that come with the V6 Fastback include SYNC from Ford, two smart-charging USB ports, six total speakers, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls.
Some of the exterior features are also worth mentioning - like the automatic headlamps with wiper activation, decklid spoiler, HID headlamps with signature lighting, and LED sequential taillamps. Finally, the safety package includes a rearview camera, SOS post-crash alert system, safety canopy side-curtain airbags, and Ford’s Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger.
V6 Convertible
The V6 Convertible is closely related to the V6 Fastback and includes everything it has and more. First of all, it’s a convertible for those beautiful days when the sun is shining. The price of the V6 Convertible increases to $30,685, but it does add a few other features that may make the extra cost worth it.
The V6 Convertible loses a few features that come standard with the V6 fastback including rear fold-down seats and Ford’s Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags. However, it does add an electronic locking center console.
EcoBoost Fastback
You can also get the Fastback with an EcoBoost engine, if you're looking for a little more power and better fuel economy. The EcoBoost Fastback has a starting MSRP of $26,195 but increases the fuel economy to 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine also kicks out a little more power than the regular Fastback engine - 310 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The car also comes with a 3.31 limited-slip rear axle.
Feature-wise, you get everything the V6 Fastback comes with and then some. The interior upgrades to include six-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control and active noise cancellation. On the exterior, the EcoBoost Fastback adds a blade decklid spoiler and LED fog lamps. Everything else remains the same.
EcoBoost Premium Fastback
If you’re looking for more out of your EcoBoost, the EcoBoost Premium Fastback may be the perfect car. It has a starting MSRP of $31,990, and comes with the same enhanced engine and improves handling with the inclusion of selectable drive modes.
On the inside, the cloth seats are exchanged for leather-trimmed front bucket seats that are heated and cooled. Climate control also improves with dual-zone electronic temperature control for driver and passenger. Rather than Sync, the EcoBoost Premium Fastback adds SiriusXM Radio and Sync3, which is faster and more responsive than Sync. Finally, drivers also receive Intelligent Access with push-button start, universal garage door opener, and Track Apps. The exterior integrates blind spot mirrors and turn signal indicators.
GT Fastback
The GT Fastback has a starting MSRP of $33,195 and is designed for power. It has a much stronger engine than any other on this list so far with a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8. This does lower the fuel economy to 15 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. But it also gives you a whopping 435hp and 400lb-ft of torque. The stronger engine also brings along a 3.31 limited-slip rear axle and engine oil cooler, with the option to upgrade to 3.55 or 3.73 gears if you'd like. Handling also improves with larger front and rear brake rotors. You also get an electronic linelock, so you can lock the front brakes for a burnout.
The interior includes power seating for the front passenger seat but tones down some of the “comfort” features. The seats are cloth rather than leather, and it comes with Sync, instead of Sync3.
EcoBoost Premium Convertible
As the name suggests, this is basically a convertible version of the EcoBoost Premium Fastback. It has a starting MSRP of $35,695, and gets 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Like the other convertible Mustangs, you lose the split folding rear seat and gain an electronic locking center console.
GT Premium Fastback
As you might guess, the GT Premium Fastback is a step up from the GT Fastback, and has a price of $37,195. It comes with the GT Fastback engine, but handling improves with the addition of selectable drive modes. The biggest changes are in the interior, which includes heated and cooled leather-trimmed front bucket seats. On top of this, both the driver and passenger seats are equipped with six-way power adjustment.
The entertainment system is also improved with the addition of SiriusXM and Sync 3 technology. The GT Premium Fastback also introduces nine-total speakers, which allows for clearer sounds. It also has intelligent access with push-button start and a universal garage door opener.
GT Premium Convertible
The GT Premium Convertible has a starting MSRP of $42,695 and has some of the standard changes as other convertibles in the Ford Mustang line. To accommodate the top, Ford removed the rear seat split and added an electronic locking center console. Everything else remains the same.
Shelby GT350
The Shelby GT350 is an American favorite and has a starting MSRP of $54,845. Naturally, it has more power than the GT Premium Fastback thanks to the 5.2-liter V8 engine with a flat-plane crank. It produces 526 horsepower and 429 pound-foot of torque. With this engine, it gets 14 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.
The interior of the Shelby GT350 is just as impressive and comes with RECARO cloth seats with Miko sueded sport inserts. It has a Shelby-exclusive aluminum trim, and a unique shift indicator light displayed on the windshield.
Shelby GT350R
What’s better than the Shelby GT350? The Shelby GT350R. It’s designed to be ready to race with its 19-inch carbon-fiber wheels that are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. It also has a carbon fiber rear wing, a large front splitter, and unique chassis tuning that doesn’t make compromises. To make it as light as possible, the Shelby GT350R doesn’t have a rear seat, rear view camera, audio system, Sync, auxiliary gauges, tire inflator and sealant kit, USB port, or floor mats. The Shelby GT350R has a starting MSRP of $62,345.
