Used Ford Mustang 2015-present review

Bullitt, Diamonds Are Forever, Gone In 60 Seconds, Need For Speed: the Ford Mustang has long-since been the Hollywood movie car and for good reason. It's loud, proud and classically cool, yet it's very affordable by big-engined coupé class standards.

In fact, there's little else like it that's been sold in the UK during recent years. That was the case back in 2015 when this sixth-generation pony hit our shores (for the first time in right-hand drive) and it's an even more valid statement now, sadly.

Engines & Performance: The UK-bound Mustang coupé (and convertible, for that matter) debuted with a 313bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a 410bhp 5.0-litre V8 one. Standard is a six-speed manual gearbox, but an automatic option was also offered.

As part of a 2018 facelift, the 2.3-litre unit was detuned to 286bhp to comply with new emissions regulations. The V8, on the other hand, went up to 444bhp and got a higher redline. A 10-speed auto' replaced the old six-speed one, too.

We also saw the Bullitt special edition arrive in 2018. It sported a 453bhp version of the V8, as well as some other upgrades to sharpen the overall driving experience. The Mach 1, which arrived in 2021, saw similar improvements. The 2.3-litre engine was discontinued around the same time.

Ride & Handling: As hinted at by the 'GT' trim name (but applying to all variants), the Mustang is built to work as a long-distance cruiser, so the ride is reasonably soft and smooth. The bi-product of this kind of suspension set-up and the Mustang's hefty weight is that it can't corner with the sharpness and agility of cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman.

The MagneRide adjustable suspension, available from new as an option on facelifted GTs and standard on Bullitt and Mach 1 models, goes a long way to improve its situation, though. The Mustang retains its compliancy but gains a new level of body control and composure on a twisty road.

The steering is weighty and feelsome, albeit rather slow by today's standards. The manual gearshift is short and slick, adding a layer of engagement missing from the automatic-only rivals like the Lexus RC F. The autos are fine for cruising, but the earlier six-speed isn't especially quick and the 10-speed can be indecisive.

Interior & Practicality: If you're looking for an interior filled with the finest leather and diamond-encrusted switchgear, you best look elsewhere, because that's not what the Mustang is about. You get a suitably retro design, some comfy seats and a few soft-touch materials and that's pretty much it. The Mustang's interior is otherwise rather basic and cheap feeling.

There's lots of space up front, but, despite its size, the two rear seats offer little space. Children and smaller adults will fit just fine, but most people will find their knees brushing the seat backs and their heads touching the ceiling. There's more room than there is in a Porsche 911, but less than there is in a BMW M4.

Officially, the Mustang has a bigger boot than you get in its immediate coupé rivals, and you can fold down the rear seats when you need to carry longer items. However, the narrow opening and high load lip make it difficult to load bulky items.

Trims & Equipment: Regarding earlier cars, standard kit includes 19in alloys wheels, xenon headlights, LED tail lights, dual-zone climate control, a rear parking camera, an 8.0in infotainment system and nine speakers. You also get a grip-enhancing limited-slip differential. With the facelift, a 12in digital instrument cluster was introduced.

There are also a variety of 'custom packs' to choose and these can include an upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio systems, ventilated seats and sat-nav. Some owners even opted for bonnet-to-boot stripes or a black roof.

Naturally, the Bullitt and Mach 1 special editions are kitted out. Along with styling changes, they get chunky Recaro seats (standard on the Bullitt and optional on the Mach 1), upgraded brakes and a 12-speaker sound system.

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A 2015/'16 Ford Mustang costs around £21,000. For the money, expect a 2.3-litre model with around 50,000 miles on it. Up your budget to around £25,000 for the V8 GT.

Facelifted (2018/'19) cars start at around £30,000 – four-cylinder and V8. You'll need around £37,000 to pick up a Bullitt, while the Mach 1 goes for around £45,000. A nearly new Mustang GT will also set you back around £45,000.

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MPG: According to the older NEDC official figures, the 2.3 achieves 31.3mpg on the combined cycle. The V8 is thirstier, unsurprisingly, and only manages 22.8mpg.

CO2 emissions: No Mustang is particularly good when you consider the CO2 emissions (a hangover from its American heritage), with the 2.3 putting out 199g/km and the V8 spewing 277g/km of CO2 from the exhaust.

Road tax (VED): Cars registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into force will pay an annual road tax rate based on CO2 emissions (so expect a large bill), while those registered after April 2017 will pay a flat rate of £180 per year.

Mustangs costing over £40,000 when new will also pay a supplementary luxury car tax. This is currently £390 per year for year's two to five of the car's life.

Servicing and insurance: Insurance groups are relatively high, of course, and servicing costs won’t be as cheap as you might expect a Ford to be. They should still be lower than premium alternatives, though.

On paper, the 2.3-litre unit looks like the better choice. Performance is quick enough, it'll be cheaper to run and, being the lighter engine, you'll get a more agile front end. However, the Mustang is a purchase of the heart, not the head, and its storming V8 is its piece du resistance.

Money no object, we'd go for a Bullitt or Mach 1. Unfortunately, money is an object and affordability is another key selling point of the Mustang, so we'd recommend the GT. With the adaptive dampers, the facelifted GT offers an improved ride and handling balance, but, again, we'd save the money – around £5000 or so – if you're on the fence about it.

As a top-tip, aim for a later '17 or early '18 (pre-facelift) GT. They're similarly priced to early cars (if not marginally more expensive), yet you'll pay £180 per year in road tax, as opposed to the £695 per year that GTs registered before April 2017 attract.

We'd be happy with a standard car, but various custom packs are mixed in with sensibly priced GTs, so it's easy to seek one out.

Oh, and go for the manual. It's what Steve McQueen would want.

Our favourite Ford Mustang: GT 5.0 V8

What to compare with a Ford Mustang? Well, as previously touched upon, the AMG C63 version of the 2016-2022 Mercedes C-Class Coupé is one option, being a riot to drive and full of V8 goodness. It's more expensive to buy, though.

Likewise, the 2014-2020 BMW M4 is a pricier alternative (the gap is smaller here) but a great machine. Its six-cylinder engine is lively and plenty powerful. Handling is sharp and playful, if not a tad unpredictable unless you opt for the Competition, CS or GTS model.

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Interested in buying a used Ford Mustang? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.