2020 Ford Mustang

The real reason consumers are drawn to the Mustang is for its V8 powertrains. The first of which is a 5.0-liter V8 that generates 460 hp. The Bullitt trim gets an upgraded version that’s good for 480 hp. These two V8s will prove to be the sweet spot for the majority of consumers, as they make great power and an excellent sound.

If you enjoy the power but want more cornering capability, Ford offers two GT Performance Packages for V8-powered Mustangs that bring performance parts that are all about improving handling.

At the top of the range sit the Shelby models. The Shelby GT350 and GT350R have 5.2-liter V8s that are rated at 526 hp. New for 2020 is the Shelby GT500 that has a supercharged version of the 5.2-liter V8. It’s the most powerful Mustang ever with 700 hp. Shelby models are meant to be track monsters and come with high-performance components that lower Mustangs don’t get.

Regardless of what kind of performance level you’re looking for, there’s a Mustang that perfectly fits it. Not only that, but all Mustangs, regardless of what engine you opt for, perform admirably as sports cars. Not to mention, Ford’s kept the six-speed manual transmission alive in many trims.

Iconic, can’t-miss styling. A lot of automakers have been struggling to find a sweet spot with the styling of their pony cars. Some have stuck too much with the old-school design, while others have ventured too far off to the modern side. The Mustang manages to straddle the line perfectly, featuring a design formula that’s both retro and modern.

Even the hardcore Shelby models retain a lot of the regular Mustang’s design and overall look. Other high-performance pony cars look like they belong on the set of a "Star Wars" film, but the Mustang’s designers found a way to keep things restrained.

If you really want a Mustang that could fit into a movie set, there’s the Bullitt. The trim has unique exterior and interior accents that include Shadow Black or Dark Highland Green paint colors, a cue-ball shifter for the manual transmission, special 19-inch wheels, black exhaust tips, and more. For fans of the movie “Bullitt,” the special trim is the prettiest Mustang in the family.

Surprisingly well equipped. There are quite a few available trims for the Mustang, but even the base model is well equipped. The level of standard equipment on the Mustang is surprising because sports cars are scarcely this well equipped.

Standard equipment on the base trim includes two USB ports, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 4.2-inch screen, wi-fi hot spot, Bluetooth, six audio speakers, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Move up to one of the Premium trims, and the sports car comes with a lot more convenience features. Dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, nine audio speakers, remote keyless entry, and LED exterior lights are standard for Premium trims.

The Mustang also has an impressive list of available safety features. Adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking are all available.

Performance comes first. Sports cars aren’t known for being comfortable or well-built machines, but the Mustang’s quarters are tight, especially for a sports car of its size, and isn’t that polished.

While the Mustang retains its classic 2+2 seating layout, the back seats are only acceptable for children. The Mustang’s interior design and upscale features make it easy to overlook subpar materials and cramped cabin, but they still exist.

Don’t look to save money at the pumps, either. The Mustang may be offered with a four-cylinder engine, but it’s hardly what we would call efficient with a combined fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon, according to the EPA.

The V8s are even thirstier, the most frugal of which gets 19 mpg combined. Go with the mighty Shelby GT500, and you’re looking at just 14 mpg combined.

Final thoughts. The 2020 Ford Mustang is one of the better sports cars on the market. Whether you’re looking for something that’s exciting to drive, that draws attention, or that’s great for a Sunday cruise, the Mustang manages to be all of these things.

A plethora of available trims and powertrains make it easy to find the perfect model. Regardless of what kind of Mustang you get, you’re sure to have a fun time behind the wheel.

The only complaints we have are small ones that are average for the segment. The sports car’s rear seats are nearly unusable and material quality could be better. But as far as Mustangs go, the latest model is certainly the best one in the lineage and one of the better pony cars on the market.

In terms of the competition, the Chevrolet Camaro is the most obvious rival. The Camaro’s styling isn’t as iconic as the Mustang’s and it’s not nearly as easy to live with. But in a comparison between the Mustang GT’s Performance Packages and the Camaro 1LE prove Chevy’s pony car to be the victor.

The Dodge Challenger is the other chief rival. It’s larger and has rear seats that are actually comfortable. It doesn’t have the same features, especially when it comes to safety, and its engines are even less efficient. But if you’re looking for all-out performance and straight-line speed, the Challenger bests the Mustang.

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