OVERVIEW
FORD MUSTANG
The Ford Mustang is now living its best life, according to some auto reviewers. The newest version of this American muscle car debuted back in 2015, and the 2020 model is shaping up to be one of the best. With its efficient and powerful drivetrains, sophisticated suspension, and comprehensive technology and safety features, it’s easy to see why the Mustang is popular with drivers everywhere. The newest model offers some unique stylistic and safety upgrades.
NOTEWORTHY FEATURES
A WELL-PLANNED CABIN
The Mustang’s cabin is laid out better than most other luxury coupes, and it’s more refined than that of some competitors. Available features include a digital instrument panel, Bang & Olufsen audio, drive mode selection, and dual-zone climate control. There’s also Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with smartphone integration and an 8-inch touch screen.
MODERN SAFETY FEATURES
The 2020 Mustang earned an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. Its long list of technologically advanced safety features includes adjustable steering, stability, transmission and throttle systems, a standard rearview camera, hands-free device connectivity, and more. Blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control are available in some trim selections.
PEPPY PERFORMANCE
When combined with the standard six-speed manual or the available 10-speed auto transmission, the EcoBoost engine feels powerful. With a switch to Sport mode, any lingering throttle lag clears up nicely. No matter which engine you choose, you’re sure to get the on-road performance the Ford Mustang is known for.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
THE ECOBOOST ENGINE
Ford’s EcoBoost engine with the High Performance Package is no substitute for the GT, but it’s powerful enough to make most buyers happy. Despite that, it will take a bit of acclimation. It has a zero-to-60 time of under five seconds, but its sound and power delivery aren’t that of a true muscle car.
EXTERIOR STYLING CHANGES
One of the most substantial changes for the Mustang is its exterior styling, which now more closely resembles other recent fastbacks. It’s not quite as fluid as that of the ’60s versions, but its styling is purposeful. The Mustang’s general design makes a great deal of sense, but there are some minor misses as far as details are concerned. For instance, there’s a disparity between the pillars’ thinness and the lower body’s visual heft.
BACK SEAT AND TRUNK SPACE
For anyone who’s more than 5 feet, 6 inches, there’s little chance of an upright posture in the rear seat. The 2020 Mustang’s roofline drops off sharply once it passes the front seating row. The back seats can be folded down for trunk access, allowing you to carry more cargo in a pinch. With a premium audio system, you’ll get less than the base 13.5 feet of cargo area in the trunk.
FORD MUSTANG Reviews
Top 10 Reasons to Get a Ford Mustang
10. Most Powerful Mustang There Has Ever Been
The 2020 Ford Mustang is more capable than ever. A new engine – the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 – packs more punch than anyone has ever seen in a street-legal Ford vehicle. The numbers speak for themselves – 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. Plus, the redline is almost unbelievable at 8,250 rpm. This engine comes standard on the Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R models.
The Shelby GT500 has more power, which hardly seems possible. This model runs on a Cross-Plane Crank V8 that has the same displacement of 5.2 liters. Not only does this engine have 625 pound-feet of torque, but it also manages to somehow generate more horsepower than most people could dream of at over 700 horsepower. With this engine, the car can seemingly jump from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. This model would be the one to select if one wants to break boundaries in terms of what they can do on the roads.
9. Two Available V8 Engines
Not only is there the 5.2L V8, but there is also the 5.0-liter V8 version that is found under the hood of the BULLITT and GT trims. This Ti-VCT engine comes with 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque on the GT, and it’s enhanced in a few small ways to give it 480 horsepower on the BULLITT. These numbers alone are a good reason to look at the mid-level trims of the Mustang.
8. Good Base Option
The base model of the 2020 Ford Mustang doesn’t have those unparalleled performance numbers that were just outlined, but it does pretty well on its own. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine has 350 pound-feet of torque and 310 horsepower, which is plenty for zooming around on the highway or cruising down country roads.
A high-performance variant is available, and this comes with 330 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. These higher numbers are possible thanks to some slightly larger and more finely tuned components. With this engine, the EcoBoost becomes the most powerful vehicle in the U.S. that runs on an in-line, four-cylinder engine.
7. Put the Top Down
There’s nothing quite like driving a convertible on a beautiful day. The EcoBoost and GT models come with the option to get a convertible. With the touch of a button, the top can be folded back to let in the fresh air and give people that iconic, American experience of racing down the road with the wind in their hair. It’s just as easy to put the roof back in place when the journey is over or when the weather takes a turn.
6. Unique Stylings
On the Shelby GT500 model, there are many interesting features that make the car a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Available RECARO racing seats can make people feel like they’re actually competing on a track, and the rear spoiler and large hood vent serve important functions while enhancing style. On the BULLITT, there are green hand-stitched accents, a shift knob that looks just like a white cue ball, and Heritage wheels that look high-end with their five spokes.
5. A Smooth Ride
With a car that can go so fast, it’s important to have a solid suspension system and other components in place to ensure good handling and nice responsiveness. The available MagneRide Damping System takes suspension to a new level by using magnet technology.
Magnetic particles are found in the fluid of the damper, and these can respond almost instantly to changing conditions. One minute, they could offer a soft and comfortable cushion, and the next, they could stiffen to give better handling while taking tight corners.
4. Numerous Driver-Assist Features
It’s nice that safety is a priority even in performance-minded cars like the 2020 Ford Mustang. Drivers of the Mustang get to take advantage of modern safety systems that can monitor performance and take corrective action if needed. Available on the Mustang is a suite of features that include automatic emergency braking and a warning system that alerts drivers about potential forward collisions. Other systems are also available, such as automatic high beams and a program that can keep the Mustang centered in a lane.
3. Link to a Smartphone App
All 2020 Ford Mustangs come with the ability to use FordPass Connect. This allows people to check on their cars remotely via the app. Many Mustang models can be remotely locked/unlocked and have their location sent to someone’s phone.
2. LED Exterior Lights
To make sure the Mustang gets attention everywhere it goes, to include when it’s dark outside, Ford has put in a slew of LED lights in its signature sports car. The base model has LED sequential taillights along with LED headlights and front park turn lamps. LED fog lamps and pony projection lights are included on some higher trims, and at the highest levels, there are HID headlights.
1. A Multitude of Available Transmissions
In the 2020 Ford Mustang, the transmission isn’t just a run-of-the-mill component. Depending on the model selected, there may be a few quality choices. For example, the EcoBoost model comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a ten-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. The two lower Shelby models can come with either a TREMEC six-speed manual transmission, while the higher one uses a TREMEC dual-clutch system that gets to utilize seven different gears. In some of the mid-level choices, the six-speed manual transmission has rev-matching for optimal performance.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Ford Mustang – The Cons
1. Not the Best Fuel Economy
The typical Mustang customer probably isn’t going to worry too much about efficiency, but it can be a factor when making a purchasing decision. The Shelby models only get about 14 or 15 miles per gallon in the city. Numbers on the other vehicles are a little better, as the EcoBoost model can get up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway and 21 miles per gallon in the city.
2. Hardly Any Back Seat
If adults are planning on riding in the back of the Mustang, they should prepare to get cozy. Legroom in the back of the Mustang is only a little over 30 inches. People up front should be fine, with up to 44.5 inches of legroom.
3. Small Trunk
The Mustang isn’t ideal if anyone is planning on packing a lot of gear in the car. The trunk can hold a maximum of 13.5 cubic feet of cargo. It is helpful, though, that the rear seats can quickly be folded down to create more storage room.
4. Infotainment System Lacking on Base Models
On several of the 2020 Ford Mustang models on the low end of the price range, the infotainment system is very basic. SYNC 3 is available but not standard, and this system is the one that has voice-activated technology, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Some people might be disappointed to find out that they have to pay more for this functionality if they want one of the more affordable EcoBoosts or GTs.
How it Stacks Up to the Competition:
The 2020 Ford Mustang does fairly well when stacked up against its competitors, but it’s important to remember that there is a range of options with the Ford. The Mustang does have more cargo space than the Chevrolet Camaro, and this may be important during day-to-day activities. The top models of the Mustang outshine those of the Camaro in terms of horsepower. They also blow the Porsche 911 and BMW M4 out of the water in this category.
Conclusion
When automotive companies find success with certain models, they need to walk a fine line between hanging onto what works and using innovations to make newer models more attractive to modern consumers. With the 2020 Mustang, Ford has done just that. The base models have great style, competent engines, and many bells and whistles that one would expect from a sports car. As the Mustang moves up in trim, the advantages grow, both in terms of interior comforts and conveniences and engine performance. It’s hard to beat the high-performing trims of the Mustang.
