Ford Mustang review
The Ford Mustang is a laugh to drive and looks great, but there are much more polished and precise-feeling rivals
RRP £58,670
- New
- Used
New car deals
Best price from £55,540
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £55,540
RRP from: £58,670
Available now
From £55,540
Leasing deals
From £701
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Ford Mustang
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £701.34 Initial payment £8,416.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£8,661 total upfront (£8,416 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Power
440 bhp
0-62 mph
5.3 s
Efficiency
28 mpg
Figures for 5.0 V8 GT Euro 6 2dr
0-62mph in less than 6 seconds
Coupe
Performance car
Jump to:
Introduction
Performance & drive
Interior
Passenger & boot space
Buying & owning
Dan Jones
Updated: 9 April 2025
How we test cars
The acceptance of the Ford Mustang in the UK is another example of how US culture has crossed the Atlantic – along with Hollywood movies and Black Friday.
It continues to follow a typically American formula: a huge V8 petrol engine, rear-wheel drive and some proper in-your-face styling. Even the entry-level model serves up 440bhp, so there’s plenty of muscle for your buck as well as a suitably glorious rumble. Indeed, it's a very different car to the modern SUV-shaped, all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E.
New car deals
Best price from £55,540
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £55,540
RRP from: £58,670
Available now
From £55,540
Leasing deals
From £701
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Ford Mustang
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £701.34 Initial payment £8,416.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£8,661 total upfront (£8,416 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Its closest rival in terms of price is the BMW M240i, but in reality, the punchier BMW M4 and Mercedes AMG CLE 53 are its truest competitors. But how does the Mustang compare? Read on to find out. Or if you prefer wind in your hair see our Ford Mustang Convertible review.
Verdict
The Ford Mustang offers a huge amount of theatre for the money, plus it sounds fantastic and offers a manual gearbox. There’s plenty to like about its simplicity and old-school charm, but running costs aren't cheap and it doesn’t handle as sharply as a BMW M240i. If your heart is set on this piece of Americana make sure you’re prepared for some compromises.
What's new?
- April 2025: we drive the Mustang again for renewed driving impressions
- July 2024: seventh-generation Ford Mustang launches in the UK, and retains the option of a V8 engine
Best buy
5.0 V8 GT Coupe 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (446 ps) review
RRP £58,670
Pros
- Stonking V8 performance and soundtrack
- Manual gearbox option is a rarity nowadays
- Cheaper than direct rivals
Cons
- Expensive to run
- Jerky automatic gearbox
- Feels cheap inside
What's new?
- April 2025: we drive the Mustang again for renewed driving impressions
- July 2024: seventh-generation Ford Mustang launches in the UK, and retains the option of a V8 engine
Best buy
5.0 V8 GT Coupe 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (446 ps) review
RRP £58,670
New car deals
Available now
Leasing deals
Performance & drive
What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is
Strengths
- V8 engine sounds superb
- Manual gearbox adds an element of fun
Weaknesses
- Indecisive automatic gearbox
- Standard GT feels wayward
The 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine in the entry-level GT version of the Mustang Fastback gives you a huge amount of muscle for bumbling around effortlessly at low revs, but unlike its turbocharged rivals, it needs to be worked hard to get the best out of it.
advertisement
scroll for more
How hard? Let’s just say it does its best work beyond 3500rpm. The reward is strong acceleration: the Mustang GT officially manages 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds with a manual gearbox and 4.9 seconds with the 10-speed automatic.
You get more power (448bhp against 440bhp) if you go for the Mustang Dark Horse version, but it’s only 0.1 seconds quicker with the standard manual gearbox. Swapping for the optional automatic gearbox has more of an effect, dropping the 0-62mph sprint time to 4.4 seconds.
Whichever version you go for, the engine and exhaust make a thunderous noise when exercised. They reward a keen driver with the kind of rabid performance that feels appropriate for a car with so much presence on the road.
If you enjoy a delicate driving experience, the Mustang is not the coupé for you. The pedals are relatively heavy to operate, so crawling along in stop-start traffic isn’t exactly relaxing.
It’s also easy to break traction in wet conditions, so you have to manage your inputs to help put the power down effectively. The BMW M240i and BMW M4 – which have four-wheel drive – don’t have that problem.
advertisement
scroll for more
The Mustang's optional automatic gearbox makes driving a bit more effortless but it's not as slick as rivals’. It often flicks through multiple gears in one go, and has a habit of switching ratios indecisively before lurching into gear when it finally makes up its mind.
There are paddles on the steering wheel so you can take full control, but you’ll have far more fun taking this beast by the scruff of the neck on winding roads if you stick with the slick six-speed manual. A coupé with a manual gearbox is a bit of a rarity these days, so it’s a breath of fresh air that you can still have one with the Mustang.
Impressive as the GT’s manual gearbox is, the Dark Horse’s Tremec manual is even better. It makes changing gears a genuine joy, with a smooth shift and satisfying click as you flick into each gear.
The Mustang’s steering is slower than that of rivals so it doesn’t feel as direct on initial turn-in. As a result, it's not the most engaging coupé to drive down a country road. That said, you're well aware of grip levels and what the front tyres are doing so it does instil the driver with some confidence.
advertisement
scroll for more
The GT version has non-adjustable suspension as standard, and it strikes a reasonable balance between ride comfort and body control. The firm ride occasionally jostles occupants in their seats at low speed but it’s never harsh.
Body control in everyday driving is tidy enough, but it starts to become a little wayward once you start driving spiritedly and you soon realise this is a heavy car. A BMW M240i is far more composed, precise and agile.
All the latest deals, offers and much more from the What Car? team. Don't miss out.
See our full privacy notice for more details.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
The range-topping Dark Horse is a little more sophisticated, thanks to MagneRide adjustable suspension (which is available as an option on the GT). That varies its firmness according to your choice of driving mode, making the car more comfortable around town and less wayward over undulations.
Every Mustang has selectable driving modes so you can set the responses of the car's steering, accelerator, traction control and, if you have one, automatic gearbox. There's Normal, Sport, Track and Drag Strip. You can also choose your own combination of settings, including how much sound you want from the Active Valve Exhaust.
advertisement
scroll for more
On motorways the V8’s grumble fades into the background, especially when you set the exhaust to quiet mode. There’s a bit more wind and road noise than in rivals, but not so much that it’ll make a long journey noisy and exhausting.
I know it’s not the sharpest coupé to drive but what you lose in agility you get in theatre, and that still draws a smile on your face.
Lawrence Cheung, New cars editor
Interior
The interior layout, fit and finish
Strengths
- Chunky steering wheel buttons
- Crisp displays
Weaknesses
- Cheap interior materials
- Small touchscreen icons
The driving position in the Ford Mustang Fastback is comfortable for the most part, even for tall drivers. The driver’s seat has lots of electrically powered adjustment, including for lumbar support, while the steering wheel has a wide range of movement.
advertisement
scroll for more
The standard seats are wide and come with leather upholstery if you go for the GT and suede-like material in the Dark Horse, but they could do with more lateral support to hold you in place when cornering. The optional Recaro seats should be better at hugging you tightly, but they also have less padding so they might leave some people a little stiff after a longer journey.
Your view out of the car, especially over the shoulder, is hampered by the sloping roofline and big rear pillars, and the Mustang’s bulky proportions make it hard to judge where the end of the bonnet is. Helpfully, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors are standard.
Inside, the Mustang’s retro character gives it a very different ambience to its plush but predictable premium coupé rivals.
While the look is charming, the plastic surfaces, buttons and switches feel cheaper than you'll find in the German competition – the BMW M4 for example. The physical buttons for changing driving modes or operating the hazard warning lights could be better damped.
advertisement
scroll for more
The standard 12.4in digital driver's display is more impressive, with sharp graphics and a choice of lay-outs.
They range from simulated analogue dials to simplified Sport and Track Mode displays, which show the rev counter as a horizontal bar with lights that flash when it’s time to change up. Thanks to chunky buttons on the steering wheel, it’s also easy to scroll through the trip computer or select your drive mode.
Next to the driver's display is a 13.2in infotainment touchscreen that looks equally impressive. However, it’s a bit fiddly to use due to the small icons (including those for the climate settings) and the menus takes some time to get used to. The iDrive dial controller in the BMW M240i is less distracting to use when you're driving.
I like the Mustang’s blend of modern, high tech screens with a relatively simple dashboard with old-fashioned chunky controls.
Oliver Young, Senior Reviewer
Passenger & boot space
How it copes with people and clutter
Strengths
- Loads of interior space up front
- Plenty of storage
Weaknesses
- Rear seats best suited for children
- High load lip to boot
There's masses of space up front in the Ford Mustang Fastback but the two rear seats offer limited space – although they do have Isofix mounts so you can securely fit two child seats.
advertisement
scroll for more
Children and smaller adults will fit in the back but anyone approaching 6ft tall will require the person sitting in front of them to slide their seat forward to free up some leg room.
You’ll find more space in the back of the Mercedes AMG CLE 53 and slightly more head room in the back of the BMW M4. It’s worth noting that the Mustang’s long doors provide easier access to the back than either of those.
Officially, the Mustang has a bigger boot than you get in its immediate coupé rivals but the narrow opening and high load lip make it difficult to load bulky items. You can fold down the back seats when you need to carry longer items.
If you want unlimited head room, there's always the drop-top version – to read about that see our Ford Mustang Convertible review.
Admittedly, I’m not quite 6ft but with the front passenger seat slid forward a little, I was comfortable in the back of the Mustang on a long road trip.
Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Buying & owning
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Strengths
- Lots of standard kit and options
- Slow depreciation
Weaknesses
- Dark Horse commands hefty premium over GT
- V8 isn’t very economical
The Mustang isn't what you'd call cheap, but no other new car gives you the same straight-line performance or soundtrack for the price. The slightly cheaper BMW M240i is its closest rival at this level for outright performance and even that doesn’t give you a V8.
advertisement
scroll for more
The Mustang is predicted to lose its value slowly, potentially helping to make up for that difference in price if you decide to sell in three years. Depreciating slower than its rivals can also help if you’re buying on PCP finance, keeping monthly payments down.
Ways to buy
Cash from £55,540 Own the car outright. No monthly payments.
Lease from £701pm Drive a new car every few years. Lower upfront costs.
£8,416 initial payment , 60 month contract , 5000 miles p/a . Subject to status and conditions.
Available Now from £55,540 Choose a car from stock. Drive away today!
If you needed any more justifications for the price, the Mustang doesn’t scrimp on standard equipment. Every version has keyless entry and start, 19in alloy wheels, electrically adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and a punchy Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker stereo.
You can personalise the GT with the Night Pony Appearance Package, which brings a black painted finish on the wheels, badging and roof.
Equipment wise, the Dark Horse version is the same, but it gets some bespoke styling to make it more distinctive – with special badges and external body features that aim to improve aerodynamics (including a big rear spoiler).
As you might expect from a V8 muscle car, the Mustang's running costs are high, and you'll spend a lot on tyres and fuel. Officially, the best you’ll get from the GT is 28mpg and the Dark Horse is closer to 27mpg, but it's likely that both will do a lot less in the real world.
advertisement
scroll for more
Along with that, insurance costs will be a shock to the system. And because official CO2 emissions are at least 230g/km, the Mustang is in the top bracket for BIK tax so it's expensive to run as a company car.
The Mustang didn’t feature in our 2026 What Car? Reliability Survey but Ford as a brand finished in 24th place out of the 31 manufacturers featured. That's below Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
A three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is standard and UK and European roadside assistance with unlimited mileage is included for the first year. The warranty can be extended to five years at a reasonable cost.
The latest Mustang has not been crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP. The previous version, which had the same basic underpinning, scored a lowly three stars in safety tests in 2017 – a rating that has now expired due to the tests getting tougher each year.
Either way, it performed very poorly for child-occupant protection in front and side impacts, with a score of just 32% in that category. On the plus side, the Mustang does come with a good amount of standard safety kit, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance.
advertisement
scroll for more
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
I quite like the Mustang GT’s optional Bronze Appearance Package, which gives the wheels and exterior badging a bronze finish for around £750.
Lawrence Cheung, New cars editor
Similarly priced cars
Porsche 718 Cayman
If you're interested in finding a Ford Mustang, or any of the other coupe cars mentioned here, head over to our Cars available now pages to find new cars listed for sale at great prices.
Ford Mustang specifications
Best buy
5.0 V8 GT Coupe 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (446 ps) review
RRP £58,670
RRP price range
£58,670 - £72,940
MPG range across all versions
26.9 - 28
Available fuel types (which is best for you? )
Petrol
Available colours
Number of engines (see all)
1
Number of trims (see all)
2
Warranty
3 years / 60,000 miles
Company car tax at 20% (min/max)
£3,916 - £4,972
Company car tax at 40% (min/max)
£7,833 - £9,945
FAQs
Is the Ford Mustang a luxury car?
No, the Mustang absolutely isn't a luxury car – it is a sports car. It has always been marketed as such too, and blends a minimalist (by modern standards) interior with a variety of performance-focused engines.
Is Mustang better or Porsche?
The answer is subjective, because the Mustang and Porsche 911 appeal to different customers. The Mustang has a cheaper entry point, is arguably easier to live with and gets the option of a stonking great V8. The 911, by contrast, has fewer cylinders but focuses on maximum driver engagement. Its rear seat space is also smaller than the Mustang's.
Is it worth buying a Ford Mustang?
If you're willing to live with a few compromises, then yes, it absolutely is worth it. The Mustang is one of the cheapest ways to get a traditional V8 these days, and you can even get it with a manual gearbox. While the interior isn't completely spartan, its minimalist approach will be appealing to many, too.
New car deals
Best price from £55,540
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £55,540
RRP from: £58,670
Available now
From £55,540
Leasing deals
From £701
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Ford Mustang
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £701.34 Initial payment £8,416.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£8,661 total upfront (£8,416 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Ford Mustangs available to buy
In partnership with
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT SelShift Euro 6 2dr
RRP £61,870
£55,540
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT Euro 6 2dr
RRP £60,945
£55,995
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT Euro 6 2dr
RRP £61,070
£56,295
Ford MUSTANG
5.0 V8 GT Euro 6 2dr
RRP £59,870
£56,999
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT SelShift Euro 6 2dr
RRP £61,870
£57,389
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT SelShift Euro 6 2dr
RRP £61,870
£57,389
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT SelShift Euro 6 2dr
RRP £63,970
£57,392
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT SelShift Euro 6 2dr
RRP £62,270
£58,270
Ford Mustang
5.0 V8 GT SelShift Euro 6 2dr
RRP £62,220
£58,620
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Dan Jones
Title: Senior Reviewer
Follow Dan Jones on
Dan joined What Car? in 2021 and is now the road test team's Senior Reviewer. In that role, he produces new car reviews for Whatcar.com and What Car? magazine, alongside occasional contributions for Autocar and Move Electric.
More Ford Mustang
Used reviews
- Used Ford Mustang 2015-present
- Used Ford Mustang Convertible 2015-present
New reviews
- Ford Mustang Convertible
Category rankings
- Best convertibles
News and advice
Feature
Should you still learn to drive in a manual car?
Cars with manual gearboxes are declining in popularity, but does that mean it’s no longer worth learning to drive in one? We take a closer look
Sun Jan 11 2026
Best of
Best convertibles 2026 – we name the top 10 cabriolet cars in the UK
A great cabriolet allows you to make the most of the weather when the sun shines without sacrificing driver fun or comfort. These are the best convertible cars available in the UK...
Wed Jul 8 2026
News
Ford Focus axed after 27 years
Ford’s family car favourite bows out as firm looks to an electric future
Mon Nov 17 2025
News
Has the Ford Focus been discontinued?
Is it the end of the road for the famous Ford hatchback, as buyers flock to family SUVs?
Fri Jul 18 2025
See all latest advice
All Coupé reviews
Aston Martin DB12
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Audi A5 Coupé
Audi A5 Sportback
Audi A7
Audi S5
Audi TT
Bentley Continental GT
BMW 4 Series
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
BMW 8 Series
Ford Mustang
Honda Prelude
Hyundai i30 Fastback
Lexus RC F
Maserati GranTurismo
McLaren 650S
McLaren 720S
McLaren GT
Mercedes CLE
Mercedes GLC Coupé
New BMW 2 Series Coupé
Polestar 1
Rolls-Royce Wraith
Toyota GR Supra
Volkswagen Arteon
Show more