2024 Ford Mustang: 60 Years Strong and Standing Alone

Ford unveiled the original Mustang in April of 1964 as part of the World Fair in New York. Although the car derived from the cheap and unspectacular Falcon, over 22,000 units were sold on the first day alone. Lee Iacocca, who was vice president and general manager of the Ford Division at the time, had a winner in his hands.

The Mustang went on to create a new genre—pony cars—and offer an increasing number of engines, options and configurations. The company even asked the legendary Carroll Shelby for help designing sportier models. I myself felt the urge to purchase a Mustang coupe the very first year it came out.

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Of course, there have been many ups and downs over the following decades. Things were so bad in 1988 that Ford thought about killing the Mustang and moving forward with the Probe. Thank God it didn’t. And here we are, 60 years after the initial launch, with an all-new, seventh-generation Mustang standing alone in a segment that the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger have both recently left.

A Good Job by Ford Designers

As you know, it’s an incredibly difficult task for automakers to redesign iconic models. They need to find the right mix of retro and modern touches so as to keep fans happy and attract new ones.

The latest Mustang manages to stay true to its predecessor while sporting a new front fascia with LED headlights flanking a revised grille. The fenders are wider, the lines are a little bit sharper, and the vertical taillights in the rear are inspired by those on the first-gen Mustang.

The biggest changes in terms of design are actually found inside. The dashboard now incorporates two large displays starting with a configurable 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster that can show a ton of information such as performance, navigation and more. Immediately on the right is a 13.2-inch touchscreen that is slightly angled toward the driver.

The new, thick-rimmed steering wheel has a sporty look and offers a nice grip. It also comes with a flat-bottom design that facilitates getting in and out of the car. Elsewhere, the air vents have been relocated but are not as effective as in the past. Fit and finish is decent, customers have multiple options to choose from, and rear-seat legroom is only acceptable if those sitting in front care to move their seats forward quite a bit.

Is the EcoBoost a Worthy Engine?

Just like its predecessor, the 2024 Ford Mustang offers a 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine as standard. The turbocharged unit produces 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission exclusively. Pleasing Mustang purists, the GT model continues with a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 that now delivers 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.

When fitted with the active-valve performance exhaust system, look for 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox can be specified, here. The lineup is topped by the new-for-2024 Mustang Dark Horse cranking out 500 horsepower.

My tester featured the base engine and felt more than potent enough. Remember, there was a time when the V8-powered Mustang GT could muster up a mere 215 horsepower and everybody seemed to be happy. Really, 315 ponies are nothing to scoff at, especially considering how fuel-efficient the turbo-four is. Natural Resources Canada rates it at 9.2 L/100 km, which is exactly the result I got during my time with the Mustang EcoBoost.

The GT? This one is officially rated at 13.9 L/100 km, making for much more expensive fuel bills. On the other hand, the car will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, whereas the four-cylinder model needs 5.8 seconds to complete a similar sprint.

The Joys of Open-Top Motoring

Convertible enthusiasts don’t necessarily prioritize performance. Those who do ought to consider the coupe instead, which is stiffer and handles better, as well as the V8. When it comes to open-top motoring, an EcoBoost-powered Mustang Convertible represents a fine choice.

Make no mistake: this cabriolet is good enough to be classified as a sports car, while the sound of the turbocharged four-pot is pleasant without being too aggressive. Mated to a competent 10-speed transmission (I wish it would hold gears a bit longer, though), the engine delivers satisfying acceleration and passing manoeuvres. Deceleration is never a problem with the powerful Brembo brakes, which is nice to know when carrying too much speed into a corner or when the unexpected happens.

Driving dynamics are generally rewarding despite the electric power steering feeling a tad vague. Body roll is beautifully controlled and the ride proves comfortable enough. Obviously, things would be smoother with smaller wheels than the 19-inch alloys you see here.

All in all, the Mustang EcoBoost Convertible is a cool way to enjoy fun under the sun. It’s cheaper than a Mustang GT model and still a decent performer.