Of the major American muscle cars dating back to the 1960s, the Ford Mustang has always been the more affordable option for consumers. Base models have typically cost less than the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger (as well as numerous other muscle cars that have come and gone in the last half century). While other companies have turned to super-charged engines and impressive specs, Ford has traditionally gone a slightly different route, giving buyers enough horsepower to peak their interest while also offering an affordable entry into the world of sports cars.
For those in love with the Mustang look but in need of more than the base, Ford has always sold more powerful options, including the GT Premium, Shelby and several Boss designs. However, Ford recently announced the entry level 2017 Ford Mustang would ditch the V6 and drop down to the significantly smaller i4. This is the same sized engine as a 1992 Dodge Shadow. With this drop in engine size, is the 2017 Ford Mustang still worth buying?
First things first, the other models (including the V6 Fastback aren’t going anywhere).
For fans of the more powerful Mustangs, it’s still possible to purchase the V-8 GT Fastback and the Shelby GT350 with a V-8 5.2L engine. This is more about individuals who want to buy the entry level models. Or from another perspective, the less thirsty models. The base line Ford Mustangs have long been some of the best selling sports cars simply because of the sticker price. Recent years have pegged entry level Mustangs right around $25,000. But consumers purchase the Mustang not only for the name and the look, but for performance as well.
Saying EcoBoost along with Ford Mustang does come off a bit odd.
Not that there’s anything wrong with a sports car saving on fuel economy. But is the i4 EcoBoost Fastback a significant drop off in horsepower from last year’s entry model? The 2016 Fastback used a V-6 3.7 L/227 engine that could produce 300 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque while netting an estimated 17 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway. The 2017 EcoBoost Fastback uses an Intercooled Turbo Premium i-4 2.3 L/140 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 320 pound feet of torque while giving you an improved 22 MPG in the city and 31 on the highway. I don’t know about you but that’s a win in my book.
Specifications:
For individuals interested in entry level Ford Mustangs, the i4 EcoBoost is still worth the investment. With a slight boost in both fuel efficiency and horsepower, there is no true performance downfall from the V6. The only negative to an i4 is, well, it’s an i4. No matter how tuned, it just doesn’t have the same sound you get when firing up a V6 (or better yet, a V8). But for car buyers looking for a bit of fun without breaking the bank, the 2017 Ford Mustang EcoBoost is still worth a look.