For 60 years, the Ford Mustang has been the quintessential sports car and the vehicle that launched the pony car segment of American muscle cars. (We know there’s an argument for the 1965 model being the first one, compared to the 1964½ nomenclature, but we’re saying 60 years for simplicity’s sake). That’s an incredible legacy that few other vehicles could hope to achieve, let alone live up to. And yet, the Mustang continues to deliver remarkable power and a driving experience you can’t find anywhere else, making it one of the most thrilling and impressive vehicles on the road.
For the 2024 model year, Ford is launching an all-new seventh generation for the legendary Mustang, and we couldn’t be happier with everything it brings to the road. Since you have more choices than ever available for the Mustang at your Ford dealer near Rio Linda, figuring out which Mustang has everything you’re looking for can be tricky. There is a lot to keep track of between different engine options, trim names, and the incredible new Dark Horse model. Let’s look at the 2024 Mustang to see what’s available and how to get everything you want.
Three Engine Choices
Anyone who knows cars will tell you that the engine is important in any vehicle, whether you’re looking at a full-size truck, a family-friendly SUV, or a sedan for commuting around Rio Linda. It’s especially vital in a powerful muscle car like the Ford Mustang. This is why the engine is the first thing you should consider. Not only does it dictate the kind of driving experience you’ll get, but also which of the trim levels you should choose from.
The standard engine is a 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 that delivers 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, which comes paired with a ten-speed SelectShift automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters on the steering column. This is a more powerful standard engine than the previous generation Mustang, and it’s an amazing powertrain to kick things off. If you’re looking for more power, you can step up to an available 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine with 486 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque when you use 93-octane gas and the active exhaust. This remarkable engine comes with a six-speed manual transmission, though the ten-speed automatic is available if you prefer to row your own gears.
If you’re looking for even more muscle in your muscle car, there’s an available naturally-aspirated version of the fourth-generation 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, which is tuned to deliver a heart-racing 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. You read that right. This version of the engine gets a full 100 hp per liter and reaches performance levels that few other vehicles out there can manage. It comes with an incredibly responsive Tremec six-speed manual transmission, though you can choose the ten-speed automatic if you prefer. You’ll only find this engine on the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
Trim Levels to Consider for Driving Around Rio Linda
The 2024 Mustang offers nine different trim levels, giving you tremendous freedom to get exactly what you want in your next ride. We can’t get into every detail and specific feature for them today, but we’ll give you a quick rundown of some highlights. The EcoBoost models, as the name suggests, come with the standard 2.3L EcoBoost engine, setting them apart from other options. By comparison, the GT models feature the available 5.0L engine, making it easy to track the kind of power each Mustang trim delivers.
The starting model is the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback, which rides on 18-inch wheels, features standard four-wheel disc brakes, and has dual-exhaust tips. Inside, the EcoBoost Fastback comes with a 12.4-inch LCD Digital Cluster for you as the driver, along with a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 Centerstack Infotainment display, a six-speaker sound system, and cloth seating. If you step up to the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback, then you get a number of included and available enhancements to your driving experience, such as ambient interior lighting, navigation functionality for the SYNC 4 system, a nine-speaker sound system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You can also choose convertible models rather than the fastback for these two EcoBoost trims..
You’ll find similar options available with the more powerful engine in the Mustang GT trims. The GT Fastback offers the same gorgeous interior displays, similar overall features, and a Premium Fastback option. One thing to note is that while the EcoBoost models offer a standard convertible option, the only way to get a GT convertible is with the GT Premium Convertible trim.
The High-Performance Dark Horse
If you’re interested in the ultimate expression of modern Mustang muscle, you should check out the 2024 Dark Horse. This trim features the upgraded 500-hp version of the Coyote V8 engine and a Torsen limited-slip rear axle and rides on 19-inch wheels. You get unique chassis tuning with the Dark Horse featuring powerful Brembo calipers on all four wheels, plus heavy-duty front springs. Overall, upgraded performance features come standard on the Dark Horse to keep up with its powerful engine and provide you with a superior driving experience.
You’ll also find unique details on the exterior of the Dark Horse, including black bezels on the LED projector headlamps, unique lower and outboard grilles, and a wedge decklid spoiler with Ford’s Dark Horse badge. Inside, the Mustang Dark Horse has the 12.4-inch Digital Cluster, the 13.2-inch SYNC 4 system with Navigation, and a 12-speaker B&O premium sound system. The Dark Horse includes impressive standard tech features like a wireless charging pad and customizable ambient interior lighting, along with a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, titanium anodized blue gear shift knob, premium door trim, and much more. Some of these features are available on other models, but they come standard on the Dark Horse.
If you’re looking for the ultimate Mustang driving experience around Rio Linda, a Dark Horse Premium model is available with even more bells and whistles. The Dark Horse Premium comes with extra touches and options like Pony Projection lights on the exterior, an available performance rear spoiler with a Gurney flap painted Shadow Black rather than the standard Tarnish Dark, and more. It also comes with aluminum pedals, and you can get Recaro microsuede sport seats for a truly elevated driving experience. No matter which trim you choose, the Dark Horse is something special. However, we should note that as a performance model, it’s not available as a convertible.
Are You Ready to Ride a Mustang?
As you can see, quite a few options are available to you when it comes to finding the perfect Ford Mustang. Narrowing them down to get the right one is pretty simple. First, decide on the level of power and performance you want, which will simplify the choice of an EcoBoost, GT, or Dark Horse model. From there, you can choose a fastback or convertible (except for the Dark Horse, which only comes as a fastback) and pick between a standard version and a Premium option. Once you decide on that, you still have a number of packages and options available to you, so plenty of decisions are yet to be made. That’s why it helps to work with a dealership and friendly people ready to answer your questions and ensure you find the perfect Mustang. Once you know exactly what you’re looking for, you can let us take care of everything else and make sure you drive away in a car guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
