The Painted Pony

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2024 Ford Mustang

It has been 60 years since the first pony car rolled off the assembly line and into the hearts of automotive enthusiasts.  Now in its seventh generation, the all-new 2024 Ford Mustang blends organic performance, edgier looks, and new technology to update this iconic vehicle.  But it is also the last surviving American brand front engine V8, rear wheel drive sport coupe in its class being produced. The Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger are no more, at least in their original internal combustion versions.

Our tester was a 2024 Mustang GT Premium with a 6-speed manual transmission, and well equipped with the GT Performance and Bronze Appearance packages, Recaro seats with red seat belts, red Brembo brakes, Magna Ride dampers, active valved exhaust, 3.73 Torsen rear axle, 12-speaker B&O sound system, rear wing spoiler and equipment group 401A. With the dark matter gray metallic exterior paint, this Mustang looked like one mean street machine.

This Mustang got plenty of looks wherever it went. The brawny look of the sheet metal over the rear wheels and the 255/40/19 front and 275/40/19 rear wheels provided in the Performance Package gave it a muscular stance.

With the Mustang’s GT trim, you get Ford’s 5.0-liter normally aspirated V8 engine making 486 horsepower and 418-pound feet of torque.  That isn’t far off from the top Mustang, the Dark Horse which makes 500 horsepower and the same 418-pound feet of torque.  We also sampled the Dark Horse, also with a 6-speed manual transmission at the Midwest Automotive Media Association’s 2023 Fall Rally.  

Mash the Mustang GT’s throttle and power delivery keeps building on top of itself as the RPMs climb eagerly towards redline, pushing you back into the seat further and further accompanied by the roar of the exhaust.  Although it all comes to an abrupt stop as you must shift into the next gear, only to repeat the same crescendo over again in the next gear up.  

Which brings the question does it make sense to pick the 6-speed manual transmission over the 10-speed automatic?  In the Mustang GT the Getrag MT-82 6-speed manual goes about managing the V-8 revs in any way you see fit with beefy shifts that have weight to the mechanical linkage that you can feel yet not overbearing or too notchy.  The clutch pedal though is a bit on the heavier side to match the bravado of such a vehicle.  As someone with an ankle replacement on the left foot, I could manage the shifts but would not want to be stuck in Southern California traffic.  For owners of this vehicle, their left leg will build enough strength over time to be the envy of their personal physical trainers.  The shifter is short, and the throws between the gears are as well. As you ease your foot up on the clutch, engagement was good and predictable with no signs of chatter.  Resting the palm of your right hand on the shifter, you can feel just enough of the satisfying feedback of the V8 with its vibrations.  

In comparison, the Dark Horse with the Tremec TR-3160 6-speed transmission takes these attributes up a notch. The shifts have a heavier duty feel of more heft, mechanical feedback, and true analog connectedness with the engine.   

If your objective is to build speed as quickly as possible or drive in urban centers, consider the automatic transmission.  If a V8 is not your thing, the Mustang can be configured with a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged motor with the EcoBoost trim.

The drive modes are key to adjusting how much excitement you are in the mood to handle.  You can opt for the preset options for suspension dampening, throttle response, exhaust sound (which is real), traction and stability controls.  Or make a custom mode just to your liking mixing many of those individual features.

Inside the Recaro seats have strong bolsters to hold you in during those tight corners.  Though if you are above average horizontally, you might find them a wee tight.  Climbing into and out of them is doable with some effort.  Unfortunately, the seats are manually adjusted with no heating or cooling.

Looking at the 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.2-inch infotainment touch screen running SYNC 4 all in single glass pane across the dashboard brings this Stang into the modern age.  Of course, Bluetooth phone pairing for hands-free calls, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, USB-A and USB-C connections, and rubberized cubby to hold your phone at the base of the center console provide the modern conveniences consumers expect. 

On the practical side of things, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT averaged 19.2 MPG in the week in our care with mixed driving.  Thankfully the Mustang GT consumes 87 octane fuel, so no need to spend extra to feed it premium! 

Trunk space is 13.3 cubic feet in volume which is enough for luggage or bags of groceries.  Though the back seats are best reserved for your backpack or other convenience items. 

Pricing for the 2024 Ford Mustang lineup starts at $30,920. You have nine models to choose from – with a mix of fastbacks and convertibles. Our GT Premium fastback tester with options came to $61,620. 

The team at Ford put together an enjoyable take on the legacy of the Mustang with modern features.  Be it subdued or a brash mechanical cacophony with all the playing cards in the spokes, the 2024 Mustang GT continue to offer classic American V8 muscle in an age where it is getting harder to find.

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company

All photos by George Torline