Had a 300 hp V6 Mustang. Compared to my usual Miata or even mid 90s Z28 it was a rocket ship. Got it to handle ok too. But after a bit it gets in the back of your head what 400 hp GT would be like .
Is the EcoBoost Mustang still worth talking about now that the new Mach 1 has been announced? Let's answer that question with some technical specs.
Under the hood is a 2.3-liter, turbocharged inline-four good for 310 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the Mustang we got to drive came equipped with the optional 2.3-Liter High Performance Package, which bumps the horsepower to 330. That may be shy of the GT's 460 horsepower, but to put that into perceptive, that's only 20 horsepower short of the Focus RS—which shares its basic engine with the EcoBoost Mustang.
Another thing to keep in mind: We've seen what four-cylinder "base model" muscle cars are capable of before. Does that mean that the EcoBoost a good performance alternative, or is it better to just throw down a little more cash for the V8?
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Okay real talk, y’all: I am 100% not sure how I feel about the Ecoboost Mustang. Like, if all there was was the EcoBoost variant, with the available 330hp and 350ft/lbs. of torque with the optional High Performance box checked, I’d say this was one of the best Mustangs ever, and a four-place grand touring pony car worthy of mention in the same breath as stuff like the BMW 4 Series.
But the GT exists. And that kind of screws everything up.
Yes, the GT is more expensive. Similarly equipped as a base-model plus performance package, you’re looking around $37k for an EcoBoost and $43k for a GT. So that’s more, but not a LOT more. If you’re financing, it’s about $70 per month, and for that extra $2 per day you get a tire-shredding 460hp V8 that only gets about 10% worse fuel economy and is only around 100lbs heavier.
So it’s difficult to discuss the merits of the Ecoboost without the specter of the GT lurking just off-camera, which is kind of a bummer because taken on its own merits the EcoBoost is a truly fantastic car.
First off, the interior of the S550-chassis Mustangs is such a radical improvement over the S197 cars it’s not even funny. The seating position and control layout is fantastic, feeling very much like a car you could blast down the autobahn in at 120mph all day, or do a track day then drive it home and have both activities be equally satisfying. Outward visibility is better than the previous cars as well, which is good because the hood feels longer and wider. Having a good view makes it easier to precisely place that big front end right where you want it.
The engine is a gem. A bit of a throwback in that it’s not sewing-machine smooth, but it’s also not harsh. The right mechanical sounds and feels come through the chassis to let you know the car likes you to wail on it from time to time. There’s hums, wooshes, snorts, all at the right level that add to the party when you want them to, but never get distracting when you just want to cruise and do errands.
I can nitpick the steering wheel a bit—the overly thick spokes make 9-3 hand positions awkward—but the wheel itself is sized and positioned nicely by modern standards, and connects to an excellent steering system that communicates well with the driver.
Indeed, one of my favorite parts of our 2012 Mustang GT project car was the excellent steering. For a big, heavy car, the steering made it feel nimble and tidy. And the newest generation of Mustang seems to have only improved on that feel and feedback. The steering has the right feel and ratio where you get the impression that your hands will never have to do more work than is necessary. For me, that’s a big part of getting me to like a car—even more than absolute numbers. And our demo EcoBoost didn’t even have the optional handling package with the trick magnetic shocks.
Our test car did have the 10-speed automatic, however, which shows just how good modern automatics are. Yeah, there were some shifting delays at certain throttle openings, but they were consistent, and nothing you wouldn’t get used to after a little seat time. While Ford’s 10-speed auto probably isn’t quite as track-capable as the ZF eight-speed, it’s darn good, and could probably be even better with a little digital tuning. It’s not great cold, though. In fact, the entire car likes to have some operating temperature in it before it starts performing properly. When cold, shift points feel fairly random, and power delivery feels inconsistent. Once things come up to temperature, though, the entire powertrain is slick and responsive.
So, I guess the whole point of this review is how much the Ecoboost is making me lust after a GT. It’s like a very well-cut trailer for one of the biggest movies of the year. It’s got lots of thrills and gets you very excited, but the most exciting stuff is left out.
It feels like a Mustang. It looks like a Mustang. It even goes like a Mustang.
But does it sound like one?
That might be the only issue here. The EcoBoost engine makes plenty of steam–figure at least 310 with the turbo engine, 330 as tested here–and while there’s plenty of exhaust note, it’s just not that traditional V8. Like, if the V8 Mustang never existed, you’d like be like, Hey, this sounds pretty good. But it's no secret that V8-powered Mustangs are a thing.
Do you care about the non-V8 exhaust note? If so, look at the V8 models.
But if not, there’s a lot here to like here with the turbo engine. Lotta torque. The limited-slip diff comes standard. The spec sheet shows forged crank and rods.
And it looks and acts like a Mustang. Feels like one, too, down to the big doors, long hood and splashes of hard plastic across the interior. It does all of the Mustang stuff very well. (Well, except sound like a small block Ford.)
Is it a BRZ competitor? To me, at least, it’s a different animal. The Mustang is, simply, a larger beast.
But it’s a darn fine beast. That automatic box works very well in manual mode. Shifts are crisp and clean. And it'll run on the rev limiter if you let it.
The powerband doesn’t dip. Great steering. Then add the traditional Mustang styling both inside and out.
If you like your coupes with a slight old-school vibe, even if stuffed with new-school tech, definitely check out the current turbo Mustang.
Had a 300 hp V6 Mustang. Compared to my usual Miata or even mid 90s Z28 it was a rocket ship. Got it to handle ok too. But after a bit it gets in the back of your head what 400 hp GT would be like .
An Ecoboost Convertible is my daily driver. Not sure I need more than 310 hp to get to work.
I’d like to try one to see what the feel difference is. Sound wise it wouldn’t be a contest, I imagine the lighter weight over the front would be a handling bonus. Having close to 400 lb. ft. of torque with the 8 is like crack to me after a lifetime of cars with “adequate” power though. Maybe that should be a minor confession...
No question that over 300 HP and the potential for 30 MPG is pretty sweet for a daily driver.
I don't understand why Ford doesn't put the full 350HP Focus RS version into the Mustang and call it the SVO. They could charge a premium and it would sell as long as it has a bi-level spoiler.
11GTCS said:Having close to 400 lb. ft. of torque with the 8 is like crack to me after a lifetime of cars with “adequate” power though.
Agree 100%. I need nothing more than a low powered Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit to get me to work and do 99.99% of everything I need. However, needs and wants are different in life. I don't sit at home, drool over Yaris, or Fit, or 4 cylinder Mustangs. My own prejudice aside, I am sure the 4 cyl ecoboost is amazing. But to me if I want a Mustang, I rather have the 5.0L Coyote. Bargains in the 1-2 year old market place.
A 300 hp Mustang is more than enough on the street. 300 hp and close to 30 mpg is a pretty good combination, that's why I got one. For me it was just after a year or so it lost it's luster because there was something better out there. A Miata has far less power, but it is the most powerful Miata you can get. I know this isn't rational.
mr2s2000elise said:11GTCS said:Having close to 400 lb. ft. of torque with the 8 is like crack to me after a lifetime of cars with “adequate” power though.
Agree 100%. I need nothing more than a low powered Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit to get me to work and do 99.99% of everything I need. However, needs and wants are different in life. I don't sit at home, drool over Yaris, or Fit, or 4 cylinder Mustangs. My own prejudice aside, I am sure the 4 cyl ecoboost is amazing. But to me if I want a Mustang, I rather have the 5.0L Coyote. Bargains in the 1-2 year old market place.
Exactly. Assuming I was going into the office at the moment, the best commuter would be a used Leaf.
I only drive about 40 miles per week most of the time.
These turbos seem to have good torque curves which should make them fun. The fact that it’s “300 hp” doesn’t mean much to me though. I had a 300 hp rental Camaro a couple years ago. V6 VVT. Unless you were really after it like a total hoon it felt very lazy. I was not impressed running it up to Big Bear. My old ‘94 LT-1 with only 275 hp FELT much more stout. California gas maybe?
I want to really like it, I truly do. But when a few more dollars gets you a v8 and a few more thousands and a call to Lebanon Ford gets you 750hp that is actually quite daily drivable, delivered to your doorstep, financed, and warrantied....
I currently have an Ecoboost Fusion as my daily and my wife drives the F150 but works from home. I drive 100 miles per day. I'd much rather have the Mustang but really only have the Fusion as a backup for my wife to haul the kids around if I take the truck and racecar someone. The Mustang just wouldn't be practical for my situation.
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