The 2020 Ford Mustang is experiencing something of a second heyday now. Those old enough to remember when it was the affordable summer teen car of the 60s revel in a Mustang updated for the 21st century but reminiscent of its roots. And a new generation of drivers are experiencing the thrill of this pony car. This Mustang renaissance continues with the 2020 model year. In this preview, we cover what’s new for this year’s model and what has made the Mustang a popular car all over again.
Introducing the New Model Year
Where to begin? First off, we should talk about all the increased power. Thanks to a new High-Performance package available on the coupe and convertible, there’s now a 330-horsepower EcoBoost four-cylinder and other hardware for V8-powered models. This package lends the Mustang new life, thanks to suspension tuning and other improvements. The result is a speedier, more enjoyable thrill ride each time you drive. The coupe also offers an EcoBoost Handling package for really throwing yourself into turns and coming out of them smiling.
You get newly standard equipment, like the FordPass Connect smartphone app and redesigned 17-inch wheels on EcoBoost models. Finally, the entire lineup adds four new exterior color choices: Iconic Silver, Twister Orange, Red Hot Metallic, and, our favorite, Grabber Lime.
Shelby GT500
The biggest news by far is the Shelby GT500 model. This one deserves to be on a racetrack, but you can legally drive it on the highway. The all-new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 roars with 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. This is Ford’s most powerful production car to date, handily besting the runner-up Chevy Camaro ZL1 with 650 hp. How fast does it go? Just watching it might burn your eyes. This Shelby Mustang goes from zero to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. Phew. Besides its supercharged V8 engine, the Shelby GT500 comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, race-inspired chassis and suspension, high-performance tires, and plenty of other features. The GT500 will cost you $74,000, but my, oh my, it’s worth every penny.
Which Trim Is Right for Me?
Which Trim Is Right for Me?
If the Shelby GT500 isn’t right for you, there are plenty of other options to choose from. If you’re on a budget, don’t sweat. You can climb into your very own new Mustang starting at just $26,670. The Mustang EcoBoost comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission, along with cloth upholstery, manually-adjustable front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity keyless entry, rearview camera, six-speaker stereo, voice-controlled SYNC infotainment system, Ford's MyKey safety system, the FordPass Connect smartphone system.
Upgrade the engine to a 5-liter V8 putting out 460 horsepower with the Mustang GT. If you want 18-inch wheels and SYNC 3 infotainment system, grab the EcoBoost Premium or GT Premium. If you want to feel like a movie star with the GT Premium plus Performance Package, get the Mustang Bullitt delivering 480 horsepower. If you want more than that, there’s always the Shelby.