It feels weird to write these words, given America’s long, storied history with hot rods. But the Ford Mustang is the last American muscle car. After the demise of the Chevy Camaro and the Dodge Challenger, the Mustang is the last one standing.
Seems strange, doesn’t it?
After spending a week behind the wheel of the 2024 Mustang GT—with the Performance Package, no less—I’m happy to say the last survivor is a terrific representative for the segment. If we have to be left with just one, this is a damned near perfect choice.
The Basics
You can get yourself a basic Mustang—if there is such an animal—but there’s a reason people turn their heads when a Performance Package rumbles past. This is one of those classic cars that elicits double-takes and comments in parking lots.
The GT Coupe clocks in with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that pumps out 480 horses. And, in my opinion, the best way to drive this beast is with the manual transmission. Yes, I know some people will turn up their nose at that in favor of the automatic, but they’ll be missing out on an awful lot of fun. My test vehicle featured a six-speed manual.
Technically, it’s a four-seater, but let’s get real. You’ll mostly use that back space for your gym bag or some groceries.
The Inside
I loved the cockpit feeling of the GT. The seats are comfortable, and the two-tone leather trim in my test car was a beautiful “space gray.” The leather-wrapped steering wheel even felt great—despite the funkiness of its flat bottom. I suppose that’s an aesthetic thing.
The twin displays on the dash are terrific. One is a 12.4-inch instrument cluster, the other a 13-inch LCD center stack for your entertainment, climate control, and navigation. More on these later.
The designers at Ford did a great job with the triple pedals. They’re perfectly spaced, which is not a given with some other manual-transmission cars.
The shifting knob and the emergency brake look great and perform exceptionally well.
Storage space is not what this car is known for, but you also won’t be disappointed. There’s decent storage up front, and the trunk held my large suitcase with no trouble at all.
Visibility is good, comparatively speaking. I mean, it is a sports car.
The Drive
Let’s start with that growl. There are controls to tone that down, but if you do that, you don’t deserve to be driving this thing, grandpa.
There were times I felt almost sheepish. I can imagine if you leave your house very early in the morning, you might feel like a jerk. But only for a block or so—then you’ll be smiling too much to worry about the fact your neighbors hate you.
With the manual transmission, you should be able to rocket your way form zero to 60 in about 4.3 seconds. If you opt for the automatic, it will be a few tenths faster. But to me those milliseconds are not worth it.
The thing about its speed, however, is that it’s incredibly smooth as it races off the starting block. It’s got one of the silkier gear boxes I’ve experienced in a while.
Steering and handling are first rate, and, if you find you’ve gotten a bit too rambunctious with the accelerator, you’ll be happy to know the brakes are firm and smooth, too.
I drove the GT from Denver to Colorado Springs and found it an absolute treat on the highway. Then I took it on some twisty roads out of town and—well, that ride just makes you grin some more.
The Tech
The beauty of those twin LCD panels is in the engineering. In some cars, those screens don’t pop when you find yourself in unusual lighting. Not with the Mustang. Regardless of the lighting conditions, they put out a bright, easy-to-read display.
The wireless charging pad for a cellphone also worked flawlessly. That’s one of those tech updates we’ve seen in the last few years that will make you wonder how you managed without it. So long, clunky wires.
You get the other 21st century tech features you’ve come to expect, too, like rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. Plus, the usual safety features.
The Bottom Line
I think most of us have, over the years, settled into a space where driving is simply utilitarian. It’s just something we have to do in order to get from Point A to Point B. There’s no real charge in it. It’s a task we tolerate.
That’s what made this week in the Mustang so refreshing. It actually makes you feel like you did when you were younger, when driving was a new experience, and it was just fun.
I found myself looking for reasons to drive somewhere. An example: I had a dinner engagement with an old friend who lives about an hour away. When he offered to meet me halfway, I quickly said, “No, no. I’ll come to you.”
And it was a blast the whole way.
The Details
2024 Mustang GT Coupe Premium
GT Performance Package
5.0-liter V8 engine
6-speed manual transmission
480 horsepower
Fuel economy: 14/23/17 combined
MSRP: $46,015
As tested: $59,875
Reviewed by Dom Testa
Vehicle provided by manufacturer