Ford Mustang, test drive (Equipment, price and verdict)

We conclude the test of the Ford Mustang with the different equipment options, the price of the American range and the final verdict on this ‘muscle car’. In the first part of the Mustang test we looked at the handling and response of this V6-powered sports car, while in the second we explained all the details regarding the exterior and interior design, the quality of finishes and the habitability, as well as the storage spaces and the boot.

Equipment

The entry-level version of the Mustang range does not have very extensive standard equipment, although it does include items such as cruise control with steering-wheel controls, air conditioning, leather upholstery or 17-inch wheels, as well as the ‘EasyFuel’ system, which does away with the fuel filler cap, and LED lights, including daytime running lights. That said, there are many and varied options to choose from in order to tailor this sports car to your taste.

The standard ‘Audio Shaker’ sound system, with eight speakers, can optionally be replaced by one (‘Audio Shaker PRO’) with nine speakers and more power. The standard 17-inch wheels can be upgraded to 18-inch, with 235/50 R18 tyres, or to 19-inch, with 255/40 R19 tyres. There are up to 20 models to choose from across the whole range.

Ford offers seven base colours for the lighting of the instrument panel, the centre console, the cup holders and the door sills. Thanks to the ‘MyColor’ option, combining those seven tones, you can choose from 125 different colours.

Among the numerous optional extras are circular auxiliary headlights in the grille, Recaro seats with leather upholstery, the ‘SYNC’ voice-command system and the navigation system with an 8-inch colour screen in the console, DVD player, Bluetooth hands-free device for mobile phones and a 10 GB hard drive for music files. If you choose this option, in the United States Ford gives you a six-month subscription to SiriusXM, a service that offers traffic information, petrol stations and travel information, along with 130 channels of music, sport, news and entertainment.

Like the latest models from the American brand sold in Europe, the Mustang can be fitted with the ‘MyKey’ system, which allows you to set a speed limit or the maximum volume of the audio system, monitor the use of seat belts and warn of a low fuel level, as well as preventing traction control from being switched off.

Other optional extras include variable-ratio steering with three modes — ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Comfort’ — the rear-view camera to make manoeuvring easier, the parking sensors, the heated seats and the panoramic roof which, together with the windscreen and the rear window, means that practically the entire upper surface of the bodywork is glazed. This roof blocks 96% of ultraviolet rays to protect occupants from the sun.

One of the most eye-catching pieces of equipment is the ‘Pony projection lamp’, a device that, when the doors are opened, projects onto the ground an image of the famous horse that has distinguished the Mustang since its origins.

There are various equipment packages. These are the so-called ‘V6 Performance Package’ for the 309 hp Mustang V6 and the ‘GT Track Package’ and ‘Brembo Brake Package’ for the 425 hp Mustang GT. Perhaps the most complete is the ‘GT Track Package’, with a Torsen differential on the rear axle, a grille of a different design, a specific exhaust outlet and a more powerful braking system. The ‘Brembo Brake Package’ includes a Brembo braking system with 14-inch discs and four-piston callipers.

There are also two packages that modify the exterior appearance, called ‘FP6’ and ‘FP8’, for the Mustang V6 and the Mustang GT respectively. They include tinted windows, a rear spoiler and 18-inch (‘FP6’) or 19-inch (‘FP8’) wheels painted black.

Furthermore, to personalise the car to almost the limits of imagination, Ford offers everything from various types of bodywork decals to mechanical modifications to elements such as the suspension, the brakes, the chassis, the engine or the exhaust system.

The Mustang has everything essential in terms of safety, such as four airbags, ABS, ESP and side protection bars. It also features the ‘SOS Post-Crash Alert System’ which, in the event of an accident, unlocks the doors and automatically activates the hazard lights and the horn. Other systems also help ensure safety, such as tyre pressure monitoring or the hill start assist (‘Hill Start Assist’).

The Mustang can be fitted with the ‘AdvanceTrac’ system with ‘Roll Stability Control’, which can reduce engine torque and apply the brakes if it detects a departure from the ideal trajectory. It works by monitoring speed, accelerator pedal position and steering angle.

Price

Ford does not currently sell the Mustang in Spain. However, it is possible to buy one through parallel importers, from around €23,000 for the “basic” version with the 309 hp V6 engine up to more than €61,000 for the 659 hp Shelby GT500 Convertible. In the USA it is available from $22,200, a little under €16,000.

Its main rival in the USA, apart from the Dodge Challenger, is the Chevrolet Camaro. This one is sold directly in Spain by the brand, from around €45,000. In the USA it sells from around $23,000, a price very similar to that of the Mustang.

Spanish buyers interested in acquiring a Mustang have reason to celebrate, since Ford has confirmed that the next generation will be sold in Europe.

General verdict

If what you want is a sports car that stands out for a powerful engine with great response and an striking image, beyond luxuries and superfluous features, the Mustang may be the answer. And even more so if you live in the United States or in a country where it is sold directly, since the option of importers for Spain increases the price considerably.

The 309 hp V6 engine is more than enough to guarantee sporty sensations, strong acceleration and thrust at all times. It forms a great combination with the chassis of the Mustang. Although the suspension is softer than what we are used to in Europe, it does not tarnish the good work of a chassis that makes sporty driving enjoyable.

The Mustang, a legendary model that leaves no one indifferent and that, once you try it, gets under your skin.

Photos | Jaime Arruz and test team

Technical specifications of this car

CoupeFord Mustang6 versions · from 62,405 €