2020 Ford Mustang

The Mustang EcoBoost Fastback serves as the gateway to Ford’s Mustang lineup. It is the most humbling Mustang considering its 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, but it is a Mustang nonetheless. So it gets all the aesthetics of the beloved pony-car minus its firepower.

Though at 310 hp, this Mustang isn’t all that helpless. In fact, it does a better job of being a daily driver as it is relatively easier to manage. At the same time features like limited-slip rear axle and Launch Control make it a competent machine.

Also, a couple of optional extras like the 2.3L High Performance Package and EcoBoost Handling Package allow you to customize this Mustang as per your preference. While the former aids performance, the latter improves handling.

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The Mustang EcoBoost is a very well-rounded package keeping in mind its price. Though the EcoBoost Premium offers a lot more value with upscale features like 9-speaker sound system and dual-zone automatic climate control. Still, in order to get the most out of this Mustang, opt for the EcoBoost Handling Package which adds upgrades like MagneRide adaptive dampers, better brake pads and wider 19-inch tires with Pirelli P Zero Corsa summer tires.

The Mustang EcoBoost Fastback’s only tell is its smaller, less potent engine. It is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-four engine featuring Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharger, which besides offering additional punch, enables the four-cylinder to return better efficiency too.

Other mechanical components include a six-speed manual unit which channels power from the engine to the rear end of this Ford. The 2.3-liter Ecoboost inline-four and rear-wheel drivetrain are stand-alone options on the 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback. Its six-speed manual can be replaced with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic though.

The Nissan 370Z impresses most with its 332 hp naturally-aspirated V6. This makes the 370Z the most organic and most powerful coupe of the lot.

How fast is the Ford Mustang EcoBoost?

The Mustang EcoBoost is not the most powerful Mustang but it delivers on the promise of being one by offering appropriate performance for its price. Meaning, acceleration on this Mustang is definite but not immediate. The high-revving motor of the Mustang EcoBoost takes a while to come to life and feels most at home at highway speeds.

If that doesn’t cut it for you, opting for the 2.3L High Performance Package replaces the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine from Ford’s Focus RS putting out 330 hp and 350 lb.-ft. torque. This makes the Mustang EcoBoost feel relatively more delightful.

The Dodge Challenger SXT is the heaviest coupe of the lot. Consequently, it is also the slowest. On the other hand, the Mustang EcoBoost efficiently balances its power and weight and is plenty fast.

What about the braking performance of the Ford Mustang EcoBoost?

Braking on the 2020 Mustang EcoBoost is taken care by brake rotors with two-piston callipers all around. They offer commendable bite and feedback to effectively slow down this Mustang. For better stopping capabilities though, one can equip this Mustang with EcoBoost handling package which adds better quality brake pads.

The heavyweight Dodge Challenger SXT suffers most because of its heft which is clearly evident while bringing it to a halt.

What about its driving dynamics?

The Mustang EcoBoost is not as performance-inclined as its V8 powered counterparts. Rather it strives to strike a balance between comfort and sport to satisfy as a daily driver, which it does. Its precise steering and smaller footprint make this Mustang fairly nimble for a muscle car. Though its compact dimensions mean hits from underneath over uneven roads creep in the cabin causing some discomfort for the occupants.

To make up for that, Ford offers a solution. Opting for the EcoBoost Handling package adds MagneRide adaptive dampers which do a much better job of absorbing undulations by reading road conditions beforehand. The MagneRide system also makes up for far less body lean while cornering. This package further adorns the Mustang EcoBoost with wider 19-inch wheels along with Pirelli P Zero Corsa summer tires which improve grip and help with better handling.

This way the Mustang EcoBoost makes it closer to the more powerful GT in terms of handling but not so much in performance. That can be taken care of the 2.3L High Performance Package which adds upgrades like Focus RS’s 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four, retuned suspension and front strut-tower brace for improved stiffness. While these factors alter performance, they make the Mustang EcoBoost feel too stiff for an everyday ride.

Keeping in mind the fact that the Mustang EcoBoost isn’t as brash, it manages to return much better fuel efficiency. Its EcoBoost further helps with improved economy by keeping the engine from revving up while cruising at higher speeds. The Mustang EcoBoost with 10-speed automatic though isn’t as economical as the manually driven one.

The Mustang EcoBoost returns best in class efficiency but its practicality takes a hit due to its fuel tank which is the smallest in this segment.

The Mustang EcoBoost impresses with its exterior design, capable engine and additional packages but where it fails to do so is on the inside. While an abundance of hard plastics make the cabin look dated, the standard cloth upholstery adds to the disappointment. Also not impressive is the availability of space.

Now the first row is adequately accommodating and the seats offer decent support, but its second row is a joke on practicality. Forget stretching out in the second row, even getting in and out will make you feel like a refugee trying to sneak past border security. The second row is actually only good enough to double up as extra storage space.

The level of practicality offered by the Dodge Challenger SXT is just too impressive for a muscle car. It probably is the only muscle coupe to offer a relatively practical second row.

Does it come loaded with tech inside?

Standard on the 2020 Ford Mustang is an 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen responsive also to voice. This user-friendly unit is quite responsive and features the following integrations:

• SYNC
• FordPass Connect
• FordPass
• SiriusXM
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Navigation

Creature comforts on offer in the Ford Mustang EcoBoost

Not that anything can be done to comfortably accommodate people in the back row of this Ford. Still to make sure occupants in the front row are as comfortable as possible, this Mustang gets features like:

• 2-way manual front-passenger seat
• 4-way adjustable front head restraints
• 4-way manual driver seat
• Manual climate control
• 6-speaker sound system
• Two smart-charging USB ports
• Cruise control
• Tilt/telescoping steering wheel

What about utility?

This Mustang has a relatively shorter wheelbase so it can only do so much to free up space on the inside. Its second row most definitely isn’t practical but it more than makes up for it with its big trunk. That way this Ford does a great job of being a more sensible two-seater.

At 13.5 cubic feet, the Mustang EcoBoost’s trunk is well above average. However, it is the Challenger SXT which besides having the most accommodating second row also gets the biggest boot.

Most people might want to buy the Mustang EcoBoost for its affordable price and some won’t because of its dull interior but all will want to own one simply because of this car looks. The Mustang has always managed to be one of the most beautifully designed muscle-cars ever, and the Mustang EcoBoost is no exception. With strong character lines and sculpts all over, the Mustang EcoBoost is an old fashioned car with a very modern mindset.

While its roofline and rear side windows bear a striking resemblance to the fastback Mustang of the 1960s, its horizontal headlights and frowning grille make it look period-correct. At the same time, the kinked nose and flared front bumper make this Mustang look lower, wider and more planted.

Bold lines from the hood carry along the top and bottom of both doors to enhance this coupe’s muscular character. Further enhancing this Mustang’s muscularity are even wider fender flares over the rear wheels. Together with C-shaped taillights, model-specific rear spoiler and bright, polished dual exhaust tips, the Mustang EcoBoost reminds us of the Mustang Shelby GT500 of ‘68.

As far as dimensions are concerned, the Dodge Challenger SXT is the biggest and heaviest of all other coupes. The Mustang EcoBoost on the other hand is also pretty heavy but has a comparatively shorter wheelbase.

What are those eye catching features?

Helping the Mustang EcoBoost mark its presence in the lineup of American muscles are the following exterior features:

• Front bumper lip spoiler
• LED headlights with DRLs
• Kinked hood
• Flared fenders
• 17-inch sparkle silver-painted aluminum wheels
• Coupe-like stance
• Dual bright exhaust tips
• C-shaped taillights
• EcoBoost-specific rear spoiler

In order to satisfy as an everyday ride, the Mustang EcoBoost features most necessary safety features. They include:

• All-around 3-point safety belt restraint
• AdvanceTrac with Electronic Stability Control
• 8 airbags
• LATCH
• Personal safety system
• SOS post-crash alert system
• Tire pressure monitor
• SecuriLock

Ford Mustang EcoBoost vs. Chevrolet Camaro 1LS

Both these cars are iconic legends. However, only one is a well-rounded American-muscle. There’s no denying that both Mustang EcoBoost and Camaro 1LS look like a million bucks but practicality runs deeper than appearances, and that is where the Mustang EcoBoost comes out on top.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost vs. Dodge Challenger SXT

There is simply no beating a Dodge, not even for the Mustang EcoBoost. Yes, the latter is the quicker and nimbler of the two, but for a daily driver, it’s the Dodge that offers best value for money with its more accommodating second row, bigger trunk and a much larger fuel tank.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost offers better practicality than some cars that cost almost twice as much. It has a potent engine, which also pretty fuel efficient. Then it is loaded with all the essential features to offer the kind of practicality that is expected from an everyday ride. To top it all off, this Mustang offers logical optional packages to improve its capabilities. The only downside to this Ford is its compact second row. Other than that, the Mustang EcoBoost is definitely worth considering.