2022 Ford Mustang Coupe Review: The People's Pony
The Ford Mustang is an American icon, and despite the beloved two-door coupe now being in its sixth generation, it's better than ever. Fitted with a 310-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, many will complain that the Mustang has lost its soul, but there are plenty of V8 options which we review separately still on the table. In base form, the Mustang still has tons of torque on hand and the little EcoBoost Fastback will hand out hidings to much more expensive cars under the right circumstances.
The new Mustang isn't the cheapest American sports coupe around, but it offers a superior overall driving experience in comparison to its nemesis, the Chevrolet Camaro, or the bulky but more practical Dodge Challenger. It has its shortcomings, but the Mustang's success is about a lot more than its legendary nameplate.
What's the Price of the 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe?
The 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe isn't the cheapest out of the American selection, but it still offers a ton of value for money. The entry-level model will set you back $27,205 in the USA excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,195. Going for the Premium model will see the MSRP climb to $32,225. Fully loaded, the price of the Ford Mustang car will reach nearly $50k. The Chevrolet Camaro Coupe starts at $25,000, and the Dodge Challenger has a starting MSRP of $30,430.
2022 Mustang Coupe Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 188.3 in | 107.1 in | 54.4 in | 75.4 in | 62.3 in | 64.9 in | 3,532.0 lbs |
2022 Mustang Coupe Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Although previous generations of the Ford Mustang have often been found lacking in the handling department, the sixth-generation car has rekindled the Mustang's love of corners and offers a genuinely dynamic handling experience. The 2022 Mustang Coupe features four-wheel independent suspension, front and rear roll bars, and a very well-sorted chassis. That being said, new owners should be aware that the 2022 Mustang is a proper sports car and will feel stiffer than your usual family sedan. Still, this car has proven to be well-mannered and comfortable to drive in and around the city and is an adept highway cruiser. Take the Mustang to the track, and you'll be surprised at how responsive and engaging it is to drive; the fast steering rack offers good feedback, and there's tons of grip on offer. Thanks to a relatively light curb weight, the Mustang Coupe feels nimble on its feet, and the standard brakes bite hard and with confidence.
For those looking for an even more enthralling track day experience, Ford offers an EcoBoost Handling Package for $1,995. This package includes 19-inch wheels with wider summer tires, a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip rear axle, a MagneRide damping suspension system, and six-piston front Brembo brake calipers.
2022 Mustang Coupe Interior
2022 Mustang Coupe Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe A Good car?
We can, in all honesty, say that the sixth-generation 2022 Mustang Coupe is the best one Ford has ever built. This quintessential American sports car has gone through ups and downs, many designs, engine options, and questionable marketing campaigns, but the latest one is a seriously good sports car that offers tremendous bang for your buck and an overall package that's both fun to drive and practical enough to use as a daily driver. Some might scoff at the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, but they have most likely not experienced the oodles of torque it provides from almost anywhere in the rev range. The chassis is beautifully set up to be communicative and not too harsh, and there's enough cargo room to make this a proper school-runner and grocery getter. When it comes to pony cars, the Mustang Coupe remains the one to beat.
What Ford Mustang Coupe Model Should I Buy?
At the end of the day, this is a driver's car, and the 2.3-liter engine has shown promise with the right aftermarket tuning parts, so we would recommend going for the base model with as few options as possible. All we'd do is add the 2.3L High-Performance package, which adds performance features such as unique chassis tuning, a larger rear sway bar, a large radiator, big brakes, heavy-duty front springs, an active valve exhaust system, 19-inch wheels with summer tires, and a 3.55 limited-slip rear axle. We'd also stretch for the improved eight-inch touchscreen display and nine-speaker sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. This build totals around $29k, all-in.
2022 Ford Mustang Coupe Comparisons
2022 Ford Mustang Coupe vs Chevrolet Camaro Coupe
These two cars have been mortal enemies since the 1960s, and over the years, the rivalry has ebbed and flowed, but in 2022 it is as fierce as it ever was. The Camaro is an attractive car and also comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in base guise. Unfortunately, it can't keep up with the Ford's 2.3-liter unit, which delivers superior outputs. That said, the Camaro V6 with 335 hp is good value at just over $27k. On the road, the Camaro is a decent driver's car and feels better to drive in standard form, but the Mustang performs better with all its optional performance package equipment installed. On the inside, the Camaro feels relatively outdated compared to the Mustang, but both share similar levels of tech and safety equipment. The Camaro is slightly cheaper in base configuration. Still, we'd still suggest going with the well-rounded Mustang.
2022 Ford Mustang Coupe vs Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger is a mean-looking car, and in Hellcat configuration it will tear your head clean off, but in its base form, it's a much less intimidating car. The Challenger comes standard with a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine which produces 303 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. The Mustang is the quicker car, and it's also better in the corners, although the Challenger makes for a particularly good highway cruiser. Where the Challenger shines is in its sheer size: there's lots of passenger space, and it has a larger trunk. It also offers all-wheel drive. If you're not all about speed and more about looking mildly cool, then the Challenger could be a good option. If it were our money, however, we'd spend it on the more balanced Mustang.