Driving different versions of the same car model back-to-back offers an unparalleled perspective. Fresh off reviewing the exhilarating 2024 Ford Mustang GT, the chance to get behind the wheel of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost provided a valuable comparative experience.
Image alt text: Sleek front three-quarter view of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, highlighting its modern design and aerodynamic profile.
Having previously driven both the BULLITT and EcoBoost versions of the previous generation Mustang, albeit with a few months in between, the question lingered: why didn’t the EcoBoost garner more widespread appreciation? It presented the same iconic Mustang silhouette, boasted a lighter front end, promised superior fuel economy, and delivered a sub-five-second 0-60 mph sprint. All this came with a base price significantly lower than the GT, approximately eight thousand dollars less.
The 2024 Mustang EcoBoost is undeniably good, genuinely impressive, particularly when considering its price bracket. Yet, experiencing it directly after the GT reveals a clearer picture. The GT is simply superior. This conclusion becomes strikingly evident when the two models are evaluated consecutively.
Ford has essentially crafted two distinct performance tiers within the Mustang lineup.
Image alt text: Rear three-quarter view of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, showcasing its signature taillights and sporty stance.
EcoBoost Performance Metrics: 0-60 and Beyond
Under the hood, the Mustang EcoBoost features a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating a robust 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Ford officially quotes a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds for the 2024 Mustang EcoBoost, paired with an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 24 mpg.
In contrast, the Mustang GT packs a 5.0-liter V8, unleashing 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The GT achieves 0-60 mph in a blistering 4.3 seconds, with a combined fuel economy of 18.5 mpg.
On paper, the EcoBoost’s 0-60 time is only 0.6 seconds slower than the GT, seemingly a minor compromise for significant fuel efficiency gains. However, real-world driving dynamics extend beyond mere statistics, and the 0-60 metric is just one facet of overall performance.
Image alt text: Open hood of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, revealing the 2.3-liter turbocharged engine that delivers impressive 0-60 mph times.
Driving Dynamics: Torque, Transmission, and Turbo Lag
As highlighted in the Mustang GT review, the V8’s strength lies in its readily available torque. In the GT, ample power is on tap across the rev range, allowing for effortless acceleration even in higher gears. A simple press of the accelerator delivers immediate thrust, negating the need for constant downshifting.
The EcoBoost experience diverges notably. To access comparable levels of acceleration, the engine needs to be revved higher to fully engage the turbocharger and maximize boost. A slight turbo lag is perceptible when demanding immediate power. While a six-speed manual transmission could potentially mitigate this by allowing the driver to keep the engine in its optimal power band, the EcoBoost is exclusively paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Image alt text: Close-up view of the 2.3L EcoBoost engine in the 2024 Ford Mustang, showcasing its compact design and turbocharger setup.
Even in “Sport” mode, the ten-speed automatic prioritizes fuel efficiency, often upshifting to higher gears and lower revs at the earliest opportunity. This characteristic, while beneficial for economy, can feel counterintuitive in a performance-oriented vehicle. Manually shifting using the paddle shifters in “M” mode offers some control, but gear changes, particularly the upshift from first to second, exhibit a noticeable lag, diminishing the immediacy of the driving experience.
This transmission behavior might be less critical if the Mustang EcoBoost lacked performance aspirations. If it were positioned solely as a stylish coupe, akin to older six-cylinder automatic Mustangs that prioritized aesthetics over outright performance, the powertrain’s limitations would be more acceptable.
However, the inclusion of performance-enhancing features as standard, such as a limited-slip rear axle, selectable drive modes, and track apps, elevates expectations that the EcoBoost powertrain struggles to consistently meet, particularly when compared directly to the GT.
Image alt text: Open trunk of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, demonstrating its cargo space and practicality for a sports coupe.
Premium Features and Pricing Considerations
The tested 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium was further enhanced with optional extras, pushing its price closer to the GT. Notable additions included $1,650 RECARO seats, a $1,225 active valve performance exhaust, and the $3,475 2.3 High Performance Package. This package encompasses a 3.55 Torsen rear axle, 19-inch carbonized gray-painted aluminum wheels with 255/40ZR summer tires, Brembo brakes, and the Magneride damping system.
Image alt text: Interior view of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost trunk, highlighting the cargo area and storage capacity.
The base price for the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium starts at $38,040. Standard features are generous, including approach lighting, automatic LED headlamps and taillamps, rain-sensing wipers, a six-way power driver’s seat (replaced by RECAROs in the test car), ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, a heated leather steering wheel, illuminated sill plates, leather-trimmed seats, and a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies.
Image alt text: Rear seats of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, showing passenger space in the back of the coupe.
Image alt text: Front seats of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, showcasing the sporty design and bolstering.
Further non-performance options on the test vehicle included the $3,000 Equipment Group 201A (Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, navigation, premium trim, security package, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system) and $200 floor mats. These additions brought the as-tested price to $47,590.
Image alt text: Detailed view of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost front seats, emphasizing the RECARO upgrade and interior stitching.
This as-tested price is a mere $2,905 less than the reviewed 2024 Mustang GT. Unless budget constraints regarding insurance or fuel consumption are paramount, opting for the GT becomes a compelling proposition.
Image alt text: Instrument panel of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, showcasing the digital display and driver-focused cockpit.
Image alt text: Steering wheel and information display of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, highlighting controls and digital instrument cluster.
Image alt text: Center console of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, displaying the gear selector, infotainment controls, and overall interior layout.
Image alt text: Center stack of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, focusing on the infotainment screen and climate controls.
Final Verdict: EcoBoost’s Place in the Mustang Lineup
Ford’s investment in the Mustang’s performance image is substantial. The EcoBoost variant likely plays a crucial role in fleet sales, judging by its prevalence in rental fleets. Therefore, its existence is justified.
Image alt text: Front view of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, showcasing its aggressive front fascia and iconic Mustang styling.
However, its positioning as a performance variant, especially with the GT and the even more potent Dark Horse models above it, raises questions. Could a compelling case be made for a Mustang EcoBoost with a slightly detuned 275-horsepower engine? Offered in both coupe and convertible forms, it could retain the sporty aesthetics while shedding some of the performance pretensions.
Image alt text: Side profile of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, highlighting its long hood, fastback roofline, and sporty silhouette.
Such a Mustang EcoBoost, in my opinion, might broaden the model’s appeal and target a more easily achievable performance bracket, potentially capturing a wider audience seeking Mustang style and efficiency without the top-tier performance demands.
Image alt text: Rear view of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, emphasizing its distinctive tri-bar taillights and rear diffuser.
