2023 Ford Mustang Coupe

The time has come for one last joyride in the sixth-generation S550 Ford Mustang Coupe. It first went into production in 2014 and has consistently impressed us with its keen pricing, fun driving dynamics, and surprising performance from the turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, even though it has just four cylinders. For the 2024 model year, Ford will introduce the S650 generation of the Mustang, but is this one still worth a look at the end of its life? We'd have to say yes, as the car still has iconic lines and feels like a more well-rounded product than the base Chevrolet Camaro. The high-performance version of the 2.3L makes a healthy 330 horsepower, and the already sharp handling can also be improved for an added cost. The interior is sportily styled, but a few cheaper materials do let the 'Stang down, and the back seat isn't spacious. The S650 will raise the bar when it arrives, but until then, is the S550 still the main player in the pony car conversation?

The new starting price of the 2023 Ford Mustang Coupe is $27,770, rising to $32,795 for the better-equipped Premium trim. These prices are MSRP for the Ford Mustang and exclude a destination charge of $1,395 in the USA as well as any optional extras.

Much more than a muscle car that's only good at going quickly in a straight line, our review of the S550 Ford Mustang Coupe shows that it delivers a complete sports car experience. The fully-independent front/rear suspension and chassis deliver a fairly firm yet comfortable ride, but one that is in keeping with cars of this nature. The rear-wheel-drive Mustang's cornering capability is also excellent, with decent feedback from the precise steering, plenty of grip, and body roll that is well-contained. One can adjust the amount of steering effort based on the selected mode, so there is some welcome tailoring of the driving experience, but the basics are always good.

With the EcoBoost Handling Package, the 2023 Mustang comes with Pirelli Corsa4 summer tires, a Torsen limited-slip rear axle, and the Magneride damping system. These extras make the Mustang feel even more glued to the tarmac without drastically affecting comfort, and it's best enjoyed with the engaging manual gearbox.

Not all cars make it to the end of a roughly eight-year life cycle and still feel competitive, but it's a feat that has been accomplished by the sixth-generation Mustang. It has a nicer interior than the Chevrolet Camaro and out-handles the more expensive Dodge Challenger, while delivering favorable straight-line performance when comparing all these models' base trims. The Mustang's age can be seen in the outdated standard infotainment system and some rough finishes in the cabin, so it's not perfect, but these areas aren't necessarily top concerns for shoppers in this segment. Equipped with the high-output 2.3L engine, the Mustang EcoBoost will give some older Mustang V8s a proper scare, even if it doesn't sound as good. Overall, the S550 has had a great run and there's still plenty of life in it.

Although it takes the price to over $30k, we'd happily go for the EcoBoost Premium as it comes with a ton of desirable extras. The list includes the far superior Sync 3 infotainment system with its eight-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, nice interior materials, an upgraded sound system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Handling and High Performance packages do make the Mustang more fun to drive, but the standard model is hardly lacking so these packages aren't absolutely essential.