Review of the 2021 Ford Mustang


Take your pick of the iconic pony car; you just might get a few surprises!

Saddle up with the 2021 Ford Mustang, an iconic pony car with special editions for the model year that are sure to excite gearheads around the country.

This year, we welcomed back the Mach 1, a revival of the 1969 Mustang, plus a high-performance electric Mach-E crossover bearing the ‘Stang moniker. And you know just how great this year’s stable is, considering its membership earned spots on the Car and Driver Editors’ Choice list.

Although it’s late in the model year, you aren’t likely to find a 2021 Ford Mustang at a used car dealership, but there’s still plenty of time to snag a new one, fresh from the factory.

THE BEST MUSTANG MODELS FOR 2021

Hands down, people who love to drive and want a piece of American muscle will prefer the Mustang GT, with its 5.0-liter V-8 and performance equipment straight out of the Shelby series. Adding on the Performance package gets you a limited-slip differential, summer tires, unique chassis tuning, upgraded Brembo front brakes, and more.

If you’re looking to save a little in fuel costs, don’t overlook the turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder, which would certainly defeat an older Mustang in a street race. If you go with the four-cylinder, upgrade to the High-Performance package and EcoBoost handling package, which improves the engine slightly and adds racetrack ready components to your new car.

Both the V-8 and the turbocharger come with a standard six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission — your choice — and all models have an independent rear suspension, rather than the solid rear axles of years past. Add electrically-assisted steering, and you end up with a fast car that’s actually comfortable to drive.

MUSTANG FUEL EFFICIENCY 

Obviously, the Mustang that will go easiest on your wallet at the filling station is the turbo-four, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  says gets up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway. The V8 achieves up to 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

Of course, efficiency depends upon the way the car is driven. If you’re an aggressive driver, you can expect lower fuel economy than someone who eases on the accelerator and brake. (But where’s the fun in that?)

2021 MUSTANG INTERIOR

Ford really delivered with this model year’s interior. Its features recall the classic Mustang, but include premium creature comforts, like optional heated and cooled front seats and a decent amount of cargo space. The backseat feels a bit cramped and low, but as a daily driver, it earns full marks with us.

You can fold the back seat down to fill your trunk with up to 12 carry-on suitcases, which is pretty impressive for any pony car. The Mustang also has a large center console for storing all your necessities, like sunglasses, charge cables, registration paperwork, and whatever else you need to hide away in the well-designed cubby. 

PRICING

While a souped-up Mustang will run you a little more than some of its competition, like the Dodge Challenger or Chevy Camaro, for the Mustang’s style, it’s worth the money. The body panels and lines of the Mustang are part of what makes it such an iconic pony car. And because it was the first ever, all the rest are cheap imitations.

The 2021 Ford Mustang starts at about $29,000, with the EcoBoost engine.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS FOR THE MODEL YEAR

This year introduced the world to the Mustang Mach-E, an all-new electric Mustang hatchback that is slightly larger than its stablemates, but still conveys the design elements that made America fall in love with the pony car back in the 1960s.

The Mach-E wheelbase is stretched to 117 inches, has more headroom, and rides a little higher than the classic Mustang. Under the hood, a 210kW engine delivers 281 horsepower. The top-end electric engine puts out 459 horsepower and nearly the same torque as the 2021 Shelby GT500.

And you can’t beat the range. Drive up to 230 miles or up to 300 miles on the extended range model on a single charge!

If you’re looking for something more classic than an electric pony car, then you’re probably interested in the 2021 Mach 1, which Ford calls “the most track-capable” Mustang ever. It comes outfitted with a 5.0-liter V8 that achieves 480 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft of torque, reminiscent of the Mustang Bullitt edition engine.

The Mach 1, however, gets the Shelby GT350’s Tremec 3160 6-speed transmission, intake manifold, oil filter adapter, and engine oil cooler. Or, you can opt for the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission and a handling package that makes high-speed driving smooth and easy.

LOOKING FOR A USED MUSTANG INSTEAD?

While the 2021 Ford Mustang probably appeals to you, the difficulty of finding one and the price tag may not. If you’re set on buying a Mustang this year, you could do a quick search for “used car dealership near me” to find a list of car lots that may have the pre-owned Mustang you’re looking for.

Even the Ford dealer in Kansas City, in the middle of America is stocked up on new and used Mustangs, so you’re likely to find what you’re looking for near you, too. 


Photo Credit: Ford

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