2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost | Red Headed Step Child

We review the 2020 Ford Mustang Ecoboost to cover the good and the bad. We look at the entire generation and while the GT500, GT, and GT350 get all of the hype, we discuss the importance of this entry-level car. Strap in for details and excitement.

Bullitt Mustang Video - V8 Summary Video

Index:
00:00 - 1:05 Intro
1:05 - 3:52 Interior Overview
3:52 - 10:33 Mechanical Impressions, Tech, Suspension, and Motor
10:33 - 16:43 Driving Impressions
16:43 Final Thoughts

[dima]

It has 300hp, rwd, and comes with an optional 6 speed manual. If it had a Japanese badge on it this car would be legendary.

[littlestinker]

Here we are in 2020 and a RWD 6MT 300hp coupe is considered low performance.

[aptkeyboard]

It’s funny that this 4-cylinder Mustang has more power than plenty of V8 Mustangs of the past. I think you guys are pretty jaded from driving so many high performance cars.

[MajorLeagueBassboost]

Honestly, this is enough. Rear Wheel drive, manual transmission, and sub 400 Horsepower -- this is something you can actually drive hard. You can learn, you can handle, and you can daily this easily. You cannot drive a, say, GT350 all out on normal roads. I like this :)

[SHKim-xrjl]

The fact that theres 310hp RWD IRS car for 27k, I'm happy.

[sfuller]

we need more montages of core buying demographics

[tomcat]

Just be thankful Ford hasn't replaced this with another Soulless Utility Vehicle...yet.

[bilakh]

I think its a good thing that Ford make some sort of affordable basic fun car. Good review, thanks

[tsav]

You two are the wine snobs of the automotive world. To hear you admit its qualities says a lot for this Mustang.

[Casey_Schmidt]

When you consider that the average driver is really not that good at driving, I would hope that they wouldn't get into something with much more performance than this. I think this car is plenty good for most drivers out there.

[EchoSigma]

300 hp, 6 speed manual, IRS, and in a well designed coupe that can hit 0-60 in the mid 5’s? Damn impressive daily driver. This was Porsche turbo numbers a long time ago. Technology is wonderful for the normal consumer. Nicely done Ford.

[lotus]

So sad that many ecoboost mustang owners get laughed out of their car into a v8. Car scene is toxic.

[levifergot]

I lost it when they said daily driver and showed a CrossCabrio.

[Jacobk]

As a person who’s 33 and when I was 16 the base Mustang had a 4 spd auto, platform from 1979 and a V-6 that origin dated to 1969 it’s amazing how far the base model has come! I had that V6 Mustang and it was bad at the time.

[gryfandjane]

I was able to sample one of these EcoBoost Mustangs last summer when my wife and I took a trip to Colorado. We rented a convertible, and had an excellent time driving through the mountains, down to Colorado Springs and back to Denver, to Breckinridge, etc. The car was delightful. As a GT it was hard to beat, save for the smallish trunk. My daily driver is a Fiesta ST, which is huge fun, but a bit intense for my wife. The Mustang proved to be a really nice all-around package, with good handling and a very livable interior. It left a very favorable impression.

[tipstruckers]

Welcome to another episode of jack giving us good info and geese complaining about every aspect.

[dw_moto]

I have a veloster N with performance pack, and I autocross/track it almost every weekend. I can definitely see the appeal of something like this. For autocross, I think this car with the handling package and manual trans would be a TON of fun. I think I'd actually consider one of these down the road if I'm looking for a rwd car. To be honest, I don't think a lot of people need much more than 300 hp. I'm glad Ford makes an entry level mustang.

What's more, I'd be willing to bet that if Ford killed this model, EVERYONE would be complaining and saying "wow I can't believe the cheapest model is the GT, what was Ford thinking"

[KT_One]

My how times have changed. I remember a buddy getting heat for buying a 4AT four banger Fox body, but it was a huge upgrade from his 3AT Tempo with whatever wheezing four banger it had.

Now we have 300HP four bangers with 10 speeds. Crazy.

[colinw]

What I absolutely love about the S550 Mustang's present lineup is that truly lives up to the hype of the original 1964 1/2 model. Every trim level is a legitimate performance car no matter how you slice it. Want a good momentum canyon road/track day hero to compete against Miatas? You got it is the form of the EcoBoost Mustang. Want a classic Street/Strip Musclecar warrior .You got in the form of the Mustang GT. Want something to compete against the rich Euro-snobs in their Porsche 911 GT3s on the road course ? You go it in the GT 350/GT 350R . Want a supercar that you can drive everyday? Well you know, the GT 500.

By ditching the good but unloved Cyclone V6 for the Ecoboost we have young new carbuyers/enthusiasts who can take the money they saved on car payments and insurance premiums that would have to have paid for a Coyote equipped Mustang then buy an aftermarket turbocharger and a tune and easily get GT 350 levels of horsepower and torque . Again now ALL Mustangs are NOW in fact "performance cars" whatever the trim level or engine option.Esp. when Ford offers the PP1 and PP2 suspension packages on the EcoBoost Stangs. Being that the Ecoboost has an MSRP of $26, 670 within the budget of a lot of young car buyer/enthusiasts.

[chrish]

Mark gets so visibly depressed when he has to get in a mustang, he stress eats a family pack of raw hot dogs that night