The Ford Mustang is one of the most significant American cars ever built — a name that has carried continuous production for over 60 years and defined what an affordable performance car could be. The seventh-generation Mustang (S650, launched 2024) is the most capable base Mustang ever made: the EcoBoost produces 315 hp, the GT’s 5.0L Coyote V8 makes 480 hp, and the new Dark Horse — a modern performance trim filling the space between the GT and the discontinued Shelby GT500 — delivers 500 hp. For Nassau County buyers who want American performance heritage with modern engineering, the Mustang is the definitive choice. This guide covers every trim from EcoBoost to Dark Horse, manual vs. automatic, and what Mustang ownership looks like on Long Island.
Bottom Line: The seventh-generation Mustang is the best base Mustang ever made — 315 hp EcoBoost through 500 hp Dark Horse, available 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and 60 years of American performance heritage.
- EcoBoost: 315 hp 2.3L turbo-4, most fuel-efficient, available Premium content
- GT: 480 hp 5.0L Coyote V8 — the traditional Mustang experience with iconic sound
- Dark Horse: 500 hp Coyote V8 with track-focused hardware, Brembo brakes, Torsen diff
- Available 6-speed manual across all powertrain options
The Ford Mustang is one of the most significant American cars ever built — a name that has carried continuous production for over 60 years and defined what an affordable performance car could be. The seventh-generation Mustang (S650, launched 2024) is the most capable base Mustang ever made: the EcoBoost produces 315 hp, the GT’s 5.0L Coyote V8 makes 480 hp, and the new Dark Horse — a modern performance trim filling the space between the GT and the discontinued Shelby GT500 — delivers 500 hp. For Nassau County buyers who want American performance heritage with modern engineering, the Mustang is the definitive choice. This guide covers every trim from EcoBoost to Dark Horse, manual vs. automatic, and what Mustang ownership looks like on Long Island.
Bottom Line: The seventh-generation Mustang is the best base Mustang ever made — 315 hp EcoBoost through 500 hp Dark Horse, available 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and 60 years of American performance heritage.
- EcoBoost: 315 hp 2.3L turbo-4, most fuel-efficient, available Premium content
- GT: 480 hp 5.0L Coyote V8 — the traditional Mustang experience with iconic sound
- Dark Horse: 500 hp Coyote V8 with track-focused hardware, Brembo brakes, Torsen diff
- Available 6-speed manual across all powertrain options
What’s in This Guide
- Mustang Overview and Generation History
- Trim Levels at a Glance
- EcoBoost vs. GT V8: The Core Decision
- Dark Horse: Ford’s Track-Ready Mustang
- Manual vs. Automatic: Which Fits Your Life?
- Fastback vs. Convertible
- Mustang vs. Chevy Camaro vs. Dodge Charger
- Mustang on Long Island: Daily Driving Reality
- Total Cost of Ownership
- Why Nassau County Drivers Choose the Mustang
- Why Buy at Levittown Ford
- FAQ
Mustang Overview and Generation History
The S650 seventh-generation Mustang represents Ford’s most thorough Mustang redesign since the fifth generation launched in 2005. The exterior maintains clear Mustang identity — long hood, short rear deck, wide haunches — while the interior finally receives the technology investment the nameplate deserved: a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.2-inch center touchscreen running the new Ford Sync 4 on a landscape-oriented dashboard that finally brings the Mustang’s technology into the current decade.
More importantly for drivers, the S650 chassis is meaningfully better than the S550. The front and rear suspension geometry was revised to improve both daily ride quality and performance handling. The optional MagneRide active suspension (Dark Horse and available on GT Premium) provides adjustable damping that can transition from comfortable daily cruising to sharp performance response.
The Mustang holds a unique position in the market in 2026: it’s one of the last affordable rear-wheel-drive performance coupes sold in America with available V8 power. The Camaro’s production ended; the Challenger/Charger lineup transitioned. The Mustang stands as the surviving American sports coupe, carrying a responsibility it takes seriously.
Trim Levels at a Glance
| Trim | MSRP | Engine / Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| EcoBoost | $32,515 | 315 hp 2.3T, 6-speed manual or 10-speed auto, 13.2-inch touchscreen |
| EcoBoost Premium | ✓ $38,515 | 315 hp EcoBoost, B&O audio, heated/cooled seats, wireless charging, larger wheels |
| GT | $42,515 | 480 hp 5.0L Coyote V8, active exhaust available, performance brakes, GT badging |
| GT Premium | $48,515 | 480 hp V8, available MagneRide suspension, Recaro seating available, full luxury content |
| Dark Horse | $62,515 | 500 hp 5.0L Coyote, Brembo 4-piston front brakes, Torsen mechanical diff, MagneRide standard |
The EcoBoost Premium is the Mustang for Nassau County drivers who want modern technology, daily usability, and genuine sports car performance without the V8’s fuel costs and insurance premiums. The EcoBoost delivers 315 hp with a responsive turbo character and returns approximately 22/31 mpg — meaningfully better than the V8’s 15/24.
The GT is the traditional Mustang purchase for buyers who want the 5.0L V8’s character — the sound, the V8 torque, the mechanical feel — at the core of their ownership experience. The GT Premium with optional MagneRide suspension is the most balanced Mustang for daily use combined with weekend performance.
The Dark Horse is for serious drivers: 500 hp, Brembo brakes, Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential, and MagneRide all standard. It’s the factory track-ready Mustang that doesn’t require aftermarket upgrades to be competitive on circuit.
EcoBoost vs. GT V8: The Core Decision
Buy the GT V8 if: the sound matters to you, you want maximum low-speed torque, or you’ll never be satisfied knowing there was a V8 available. The Coyote 5.0L’s howl at full throttle is something no four-cylinder produces, and the 480 hp delivers an intensity the EcoBoost can’t fully match.
Buy the EcoBoost if: you’ll primarily drive in Nassau County daily commuting, fuel economy matters, you drive long highway miles, or your insurance costs make the V8 prohibitive. The EcoBoost’s 315 hp is genuinely fast — 0–60 in approximately 5.3 seconds — and the turbo four-cylinder’s character suits everyday driving better than a high-revving V8.
The honest answer: if you’ll rarely use the full throttle, the EcoBoost is the more sensible Mustang for Nassau County life. If you want the Mustang experience to announce itself every time you press the accelerator, the V8 is non-negotiable.
Dark Horse: Ford’s Track-Ready Mustang
The Dark Horse fills the space the Shelby GT500 left when Ford retired the supercharged snake. At $62,515, it’s considerably less expensive than the GT500 was, delivers 500 hp from a naturally aspirated 5.0L (no supercharger — the Dark Horse uses a higher-compression, more aggressive cam profile Coyote V8), and includes the track hardware that serious Mustang drivers need: Brembo 6-piston front brakes, Torsen mechanical limited-slip rear differential (more consistent than the electronic LSD on GT), and MagneRide active suspension standard.
The Dark Horse is the factory answer to “how do I make my Mustang track-ready without an aftermarket build?” For Nassau County drivers who take their cars to Lime Rock or Watkins Glen, the Dark Horse is the most complete starting point from Ford.
Manual vs. Automatic
The 6-speed manual is available on every Mustang trim — EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse. This is the Mustang choice for drivers who want the full engagement of three-pedal driving in an American sports car. The manual’s short throws and precise action are well-regarded by Mustang enthusiasts.
The 10-speed automatic is the choice for Nassau County daily commuters who spend significant time in traffic and want smoother power delivery. The SelectShift feature and paddle shifters provide manual control when desired. For the EcoBoost specifically, the 10-speed automatic produces slightly quicker 0–60 times due to tighter gear spacing.
Fastback vs. Convertible
The fastback coupe is the sharper-looking, slightly stiffer (better handling), and slightly lighter option. The fixed roof adds structural rigidity. Most Mustang performance buyers choose the fastback.
The convertible adds the open-air experience to the Mustang. With an electric soft top, the convertible drops in approximately 10 seconds. For Nassau County summer driving — top down on the Meadowbrook Parkway — the convertible has clear appeal. The convertible body is slightly less rigid than the fastback; buyers who prioritize handling over open-air choose the coupe.
Mustang vs. Chevy Camaro vs. Dodge Charger
The Chevrolet Camaro is discontinuing production — new Camaro production has ended as of the 2024 model year, making used Camaro the option. The Mustang now stands as the primary domestic sports coupe competitor against imports.
The Dodge Charger is transitioning from V8 muscle car to the Charger Daytona EV/PHEV platform — the V8 Charger as known is discontinued. The Mustang GT is the last available V8 American sports coupe still in production at this price point.
Against imports, the Toyota GR Supra (382 hp, inline-six) and BMW M2 (453 hp) are the Mustang GT’s competitors in performance and price. The Supra lacks the Mustang’s V8 character; the M2 costs significantly more.
Mustang on Long Island: Daily Driving Reality
The Mustang fastback is a legitimate daily driver for one or two people — two rear seats with limited headroom, a 13.5-cubic-foot trunk, and standard modern technology. The EcoBoost’s turbo-four fuel economy (22/31 mpg) keeps running costs manageable. The GT’s 15/24 mpg requires budget consideration at Nassau County gas prices.
Traffic driving in the Mustang benefits from the torque-converter automatic’s smooth behavior in stop-and-go — the manual’s clutch work in dense Nassau County traffic is real but manageable for drivers who enjoy it. The MagneRide suspension on GT Premium and Dark Horse provides excellent daily ride quality while maintaining performance response.
Insurance rates for the Mustang GT are higher than for the EcoBoost and significantly higher than non-performance vehicles — factor this into total cost calculations when comparing to alternative vehicles.
Why Buy at Levittown Ford
Levittown Ford stocks Mustang inventory across powertrain and trim combinations. The team can walk through the EcoBoost vs. V8 decision, the manual vs. automatic choice, and the Dark Horse’s specific track-focused hardware in detail — all decisions that significantly affect the Mustang ownership experience.
Browse new Mustang inventory at Levittown Ford or explore certified pre-owned options. Schedule a test drive of both the EcoBoost and GT to make the powertrain decision with full information.
"Mustang buyers always come in knowing they want a Mustang — the conversation is EcoBoost vs. V8. I always say: if you're asking the question, drive both. The V8 answers it for most people the moment they hear it."
General Manager, Levittown Ford
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ford Mustang rear-wheel drive? Yes. The Mustang is rear-wheel drive across all trims and powertrains — EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse. There is no AWD option. For Nassau County buyers concerned about winter driving, dedicated winter tires on a separate wheel set are the recommended approach for year-round Mustang ownership.
What is the Mustang’s back seat like? The Mustang’s rear seat accommodates two adults for short trips and children more comfortably. It’s not suitable for regular adult rear-seat passengers on longer rides — the headroom and legroom are genuinely tight. Most Mustang buyers accept this as a two-seat car that can occasionally accommodate a third or fourth person.
Does the Mustang GT have an active exhaust? An active exhaust system is available on GT and above. The active exhaust adjusts volume based on drive mode — quieter in normal mode, louder and more aggressive in Sport/Track mode. Nassau County buyers who live in residential areas appreciate the active exhaust’s ability to be quiet during early morning departures.
What happened to the Shelby GT500? The GT500 with its supercharged 5.2L V8 (760 hp) was discontinued after the S550 generation. The S650 Dark Horse at 500 hp is the highest-performance factory Mustang currently available. The Shelby GT350 also ended with the S550 generation.