2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The latest Ford Mustang Mach 1 is built for the same reason the 1969 original was constructed: to fill a gap. While it may not seem like there is a gap to fill, there is a case to be made for a more hardcore non-Shelby Mustang in the USA. The standard GT is more cruiser than bruiser and the Shelby GT500 retails for over $77,000. The GT350, you ask? Well, that's no longer in production.

The Mach 1 badge has been dormant since 2004, but it made a spectacular return for 2021 in the form of a 480-horsepower track-oriented 'Stang that effectively replaced both the limited-edition Mustang Bullitt and the GT350. That output drops to 470 hp this year. It's a Franken-Stang of sorts that pulls parts from both of these, sending the power from its 5.0-liter V8 to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission from Tremec or an optional ten-speed auto. Retailing at $54,000, it's around $5,000 cheaper than the now-defunct GT350. The Chevrolet Camaro doesn't have a trim that directly rivals this, which means if you're looking for an alternative, Germany can counter with the BMW M2, or you can look closer to home at the more powerful Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. The Mach might be back, but it's going to have to be better than ever to shine in such company.

There are more than enough differences to set the Mach 1 apart from the rest of the range. It comes with a model-specific graphics package (the colors depend on the exterior hue) and Mach 1 badging on its flanks and buttocks. All three alloy wheel designs are unique to the Mach 1, while the model-specific front end will have you move out of its way much quicker thanks to a striking double-O design. It's been designed for better cooling and improved downforce, and there are two blank spaces for spotlights in case you want to mimic the original Mach 1 completely. A set of 19-inch wheels is standard on both models.

Add the $4,500 Mach 1 Handling Package, and it stands out even more. It gets a fixed rear wing, a front splitter, and a black rear-wheel lip molding. The Premium model also has access to the Mach 1 Appearance Package, costing $1,250. This includes a Fighter Jet Gray exterior paint, an ebony/orange interior, orange brake calipers, a unique front seatback color, and unique hood and side stripes.

The Mach 1 uses the same 107.1-inch wheelbase as the rest of the range. It's shorter than the Shelby GT500 at 188.5 inches, and is as tall as the Fastback at 54.3 inches. The rest of its exterior dimensions match the standard Mustang, right down to the 62.4-inch front and 65.1-inch rear tracks. The width, including the mirrors, is 81.9 inches while, at its widest point, the body itself is 75.4 inches wide. The claimed curb weight is 3,868 pounds for the manual, and 3,913 for the automatic.

There are nine colors to choose from and many of them are quite wild. The more demure options are Shadow Black, Oxford White, Iconic Silver Metallic, and Dark Matter Gray Metallic. The louder options are Race Red, Grabber Blue Metallic, Cyber Orange Metallic ($695), Mischievous Purple Metallic, and Eruption Green Metallic. The latter three are all part of the new color additions for the 2022 model year. Regardless of the exterior color, every Mach 1 comes with a black racing stripe with either red or white accents depending on the primary color chosen. Red brake calipers cost another $495.

Previously, if you wanted a track-focused Mustang, you went for the Shelby GT350. This was equipped with the famous Voodoo V8, which had the same basic layout as the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 but was fitted with a flat-plane crankshaft. Ford had trimmed some of the fat and increased the engine's displacement to 5.2 liters. The result was a supercar-like V8 with a sharper throttle response that spun all the way to 8,250 rpm. Unfortunately, the Voodoo V8 is not used in the 2022 Ford Mach 1. However, some of its parts have been carried over. The Mach 1 uses the same high-flow intake manifold, a larger radiator, oil cooler, and oil filter, while receiving the same engine map as the Bullitt. That makes the Mach 1 slightly more potent than the standard GT. Its 5.0-liter V8 produces 470 hp (20 hp more than the GT, but 10 hp less than last year) and the same 410 lb-ft as the standard engine (also 10 units less than last year). Ford doesn't make any claim as to how quickly the Mach 1 will run from 0-60 mph because that isn't the point, but it'll likely mirror the sub-4.5-second effort of the Bullitt. The 10-hp power reduction should not make too much of a difference to last year's claimed top speed of 166 mph with the manual gearbox and with the Handling Package equipped, it should still get close to the 168 mph claim.

So, if Ford doesn't care about acceleration here, then what's the point of the Mach 1? Handling. It's lighter, sharper, and better in every department than the standard GT, inheriting a large amount of its engineering from the Shelby GT350's chassis. This is the Mustang for the entry-level motorsport enthusiast, which is why, like every other non-electric Mustang, it's strictly rear-wheel drive.

The engine in the Mach 1 is only a little bit more special than the standard GT, although its 5.0-liter V8 is still designated as the Coyote. This particular unit is the same one used in the Bullitt and it packs 470 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to a dual active valve performance exhaust, it makes an almighty, glorious racket.

Instead of increasing the power too much, Ford focused on cooling. The Mach 1 is marketed as a track tool, and it has all the necessary components to cope with high-performance driving. It has a larger radiator, an open-air induction system, an intake manifold borrowed from the GT350, and coolers for the engine oil, transmission, and differential.

Ford also removes the GT's Getrag manual gearbox and replaces it with the more hardcore Tremec six-speed manual used in the GT350, which bodes well for its reliability when used on track. A ten-speed automatic is also available, but you might be more of a standard GT customer if that sounds alluring. The automatic transmission does remove one extra thing to think about on the track, however, and for those who plan to daily the Mach 1 and only casually visit the track, it could be a consideration.

As a nod to the discontinued Bullitt, the Mach 1 gets the same cue-ball shifter on the inside. First gear is particularly aggressive, allowing for smoky launches. The overall feel is smooth, and the travel between the gears is extremely short. It's a profoundly satisfying feeling, rowing through the gears. We'll take the pleasure of self-expression via a manual over the faster lap times of an automatic any day of the week.

The Mach 1's manual gearbox is also equipped with controversial rev-matching technology. Some gearheads see systems like these as sacrilege, but not everyone can heel and toe, and that's okay. A track car's main aim is to make its driver feel like a hero, and we applaud any system that helps the driver achieve that goal, whether it be adaptive traction control, launch control, or rev-matching. Ford deserves credit for giving drivers the option to switch this system off, letting you learn how to do it properly yourself.

Despite being a track-focused driver's tool, you can have a Mach 1 that strikes a nice balance between on-road and track handling, or you can lean into its track spirations by adding the optional Mach 1 Handling Package.

The standard Mach 1 already has a lot to boast about. It comes with an electronic line-lock, launch control, selectable driving modes, and selectable power steering. The latter allows you to toggle between Comfort, Normal, and Sport, essentially adding artificial weight to the steering. The available driving modes are Normal, Snow/Wet, Sport, Track, or Drag Strip. In Normal and Snow/Wet modes, it dials back the throttle response, while the Track and Drag Strip settings make this car alert and hyperactive as a toddler on a diet of Pepsi and Reese's Pieces.

The parts that make a real difference to the Mach 1's persona are the MagneRide dampers, heavy-duty front springs, the trick aerodynamic additions, and six-piston Brembo brake calipers.

The MagneRide dampers automatically adjust 1,000 times per second, giving the Mach 1 a neutral, non-intimidating feel. Thanks to the revised bumper and fixed rear wing, the standard Mach 1 has 22% more downforce than the standard GT with the Performance Pack 1, and this figure increases to 150% with the optional handling package. This works particularly well with the stiffer, heavy-duty front springs. The turn-in is razor-sharp and grippy in much the same way the GT350 was. Finally, the uprated Brembo brakes let you wail on the Mach 1 for several laps at a time without fading.

The Handling Package takes the Mach 1 to the next level, adding adjustable strut top mounts, a larger rear spoiler with a gurney flap, a more aggressive front splitter, and sticky, high-performance 305/30R19 front and 315/30R19 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. Adding the Performance Pack will reduce lap times, and it doesn't compromise the on-road performance too much. The adaptive damping's comfort setting is acceptable, but you buy a car like this knowing that compromises need to be made.

Speaking of on-road handling, it's worth remembering that the Mach 1 comes as standard with summer tires, while the Handling Package upgrades to even more track-biased rubber. Both tire options grip nicely once you get some heat into them. We wouldn't attempt to accelerate away from traffic lights when they're still cold, however, unless you want to look like a cliche Cars And Coffee idiot on the internet.

We have good news: the 2022 Mach 1 is more efficient than the older Shelby GT350. It's not by much, but you rejoice in small victories when it comes to large V8 engines. According to the EPA, the ten-speed automatic is the most frugal with figures of 15/23/18 mpg city/highway/combined, dropping down to 14/22/17 mpg with the standard 6-speed manual. The EPA's gas mileage figures for the GT350 were 12/18/14 mpg, but in the Mach 1, you don't get the Voodoo engine.

The Mach 1 is equipped with a 16-gallon tank, good for an estimated 288 miles in automatic guise while the manual can only manage 272 miles between refills. Both cars will drop down to single-digit consumption figures on the track, so you might want to invest in a decent jerrycan.

The most notable differences between the Mach 1 and the GT are the cue-ball shifter and a plaque with the chassis number. You also get model-specific door sill plates and a Mach 1 model displayed on the LCD screen in the instrument cluster when you start the car. The rest is pretty much a high-end Mustang. Ebony cloth is standard, and all of the must-have toys are included as standard. Some of the trim is good, but there are a few places where the quality is low.

One notable difference is the option of having the rear seats removed. These seats only weigh 30 lbs, so there's no real reason to do it. It is a no-cost option, but you have to include the Handling Package to do so. We suppose you'll get more usable cargo capacity, but the most likely reason is the easy fitment of a third-party half-cage.

The Mustang has more than enough room for the front passengers. It has 45.1 inches of front legroom and 37.6 inches of headroom. Getting in and out of the low-slung Mustang is also a chore but not a deal-breaker. Things are less fun in the rear, as you only get 29 inches of legroom and 34.8 inches of headroom. The Mustang works much better if you treat it like a two-seater, though the rear seats are perfectly fine for preschoolers. You'd look like the coolest dad around dropping the kids off at daycare in a Mach 1.

For the most part, a Mustang's rear seats are just a place to dump stuff. And since most customers will likely get the Handling Package, it may be worth removing the rear seats completely.

Cloth bucket seats in Ebony are standard in the base model, but you can upgrade to meaty Recaro sport buckets for an additional $1,650. The only color option is Ebony again. The Premium model gets leather-trimmed seats in Ebony Dove, but Orange Ebony is available for $1,250 as long as it's compatible with your selected exterior color. Ebony Recaro buckets in leather are a $1,650 option for the Premium. The Premium model also adds aluminum foot pedals for that extra dose of sportiness. Aluminum interior trim is standard on both models, as is a Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminum accents.

The Mach 1 has 13.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, more than you get in some high-end sedans. Considering the Mustang is best suited to two people, the cargo capacity is more than ample for the daily grind or a weekend away with your partner. You can fold the rear seats down in a 50/50 split, further increasing the practicality. Or you can go the whole nine yards and have them removed altogether.

The Mustang's door pockets are on the small side, but you get two cupholders and adequate storage space underneath the armrest. You're not buying this for practicality though, so don't expect family-sedan levels of storage.

The Mach 1 sits near the top of the Mustang range, so you do get a lot as standard. Both models come with LED headlights, daytime running lights, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, ambient lighting, premium carpets, keyless entry with a push-button start, tilting/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel and parking brake, and a universal garage door opener. The Premium trim adds heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a memory function for the driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, and aluminum foot pedals. Even though the Mach 1 is built for the track, it does have basic driver-assistance features like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Both models are equipped with an eight-inch LCD touchscreen running Ford's Sync 3 software. It boasts enhanced voice recognition, two smart-charging USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. A nine-speaker sound system is standard on both cars, but the Premium gives you the option of going up to a 12-speaker B&) sound system for $1,550. You can also add voice-activated touchscreen navigation with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link on either trim for $595.

No recalls have been issued for the 2022 Mustang range and, for the most part, it seems Ford has reached the point where all the kinks have been ironed out. The Mustang also received 85 out of a possible 100 points overall in the J.D. Power Survey - and 88 for quality and reliability - the last time it was rated in 2020. This is not just an above-average score in the sports car category but an impressive rating by any standard.

The Mach 1 is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The safety restraint system is covered for this same period and roadside assistance is included to match. The anti-corrosion warranty is valid for five years with no mileage restrictions.

The Mustang is one of the few sports cars that undergoes a full evaluation of its safety. While there is no dedicated NHTSA review of the Mustang Mach 1, the Mustang range as a whole scored the full five-star overall rating. Even more impressive, it managed to score five stars in every sub-category, including the side and rollover crashes. It missed out on a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to the limited evaluation of its collision-avoidance features but scored an Acceptable rating in the front overlap driver's side crash test and Good ratings in every other category.

The Mach 1 is equipped with seven airbags, traction and stability control, ABS, tire pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera. Ford's Co-Pilot 360 is also standard across the Mustang range. This driver-assistance suite consists of forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

There are two ways of looking at the Mach 1 - it's either a sad replacement for the GT350 or an improved version of the Bullitt. But what if we told you that it's both? Or that it does the job better than either?

It might not have the high-revving Voodoo V8, but it has some of the best bits of Mustang models over the last few years. It's a blend of the best hits from the GT, Bullitt, and GT350, yet with a far more accessible price tag than the latter. We might miss the high-revving wail of the Voodoo, but the GT350 was expensive and, once usurped by the GT500, was a little overpriced for what it was. In the Mach 1, Ford has given us all the suspension trickery of the GT350, its exceptional Tremec six-speed, and a price tag that fits within a budget that makes it perfect for entry-level track exploration.

It doesn't compromise on being used as a daily driver, either, striking an exceptional balance between the two roles it needs to fulfill. If speed and not dynamic finesse is top of your list, you may prefer the cheaper Dodge Challenger R/T Scat pack with its 485-hp V8.

The list of standard luxury and safety features is decent, and with prices starting at $54,000, it's a lot of car for the money. It may be roughly $13,000 more than the GT Premium Coupe, but there's enough here to justify the increase. The GT350 started at around $60,000, and used examples are holding their value. That makes the Mach 1 even more of a bargain.

The price of the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is perhaps one of its best attributes. It's not exactly cheap, but for what you get, it's a whole lot more affordable than you might think. In base form, it has an MSRP of $54,000. The Premium model retails for $56,095. These prices exclude the $1,195 destination fee.

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a single model that we review here by itself, and it's offered in two trims - base and Premium. The cars are mechanically identical, sharing the same naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that develops 470 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque and driving the rear wheels through a choice of a Tremec six-speed manual transmission or a ten-speed automatic. Mechanical upgrades over humbler Mustangs include track-optimized hardware such as an open-air induction system, an enlarged radiator, oil coolers for the engine, differential, and transmission, and an intake manifold from the GT350. In terms of handling and braking, this model boasts heavy-duty front springs, MagneRide dampers, optimized aerodynamics, and Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers.

Standard equipment is comprehensive and exterior highlights include LED headlights, LED sequential tail lights, hood vents, a rear diffuser, a performance rear spoiler, a unique grille, and model-specific front and rear fascias. Inside, it gets keyless entry with push-button start, premium carpets, ambient lighting, a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, dual-zone climate control, cloth upholstery, a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, a universal garage-door opener, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The Sync 3 infotainment system has an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, and a nine-speaker audio system. In terms of safety features, it comes with seven airbags and Ford's Co-Pilot 360 driver-assistance suite that includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

The Premium trim has additional features and equipment, most notably aluminum pedals, leather upholstery, a memory function for the driver, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and access to additional paint options and optional packages.

The most crucial optional package is the $4,500 Mach 1 Handling Package. It adds wider performance tires, adjustable strut top mounts, a performance rear spoiler with a gurney flap, a more aggressive front splitter, and a revised chassis tune.

The Premium model has more available packages, including the $1,250 Mach 1 Appearance Package. This adds a Fighter Jet Gray exterior hue, an Ebony/Orange interior, Orange brake calipers, unique seatbacks, and special hood and side-stripe decals. The Mach 1 Elite Package ($1,550) includes enhanced security features, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, HD Radio, and a CD player.

Looking at what the Premium offers over and above the base model, we don't see anything we want or need. We'd save a few bucks and put it toward the Mach 1 Handling Package. A base Mach 1 with said package retails for $59,695 with all charges included. The Premium model with this same package costs $61,790 including destination.

The GT500 commands a premium of over $23,000 relative to the base Mach 1. Is it worth that additional lump of cash? Well, for starters, the GT500 has an engine with the codename "Predator." That right there is already worth $5,000. Seriously though, the GT500's 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque easily trounces the Mach 1's 470 hp and 410 lb-ft. The 0 to 60 mph time is decreased from around 4.5 seconds to just 3.3 seconds. The GT500 is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, however.

You could make the argument that the Mach 1 is more track-focused, but the GT500 is no longer a one-trick pony. It also has the adaptive MagneRide suspension, powerful Brembo brakes, and an even more ridiculous fixed rear wing. If you can afford it, the GT500 is the ultimate Mustang and the one with which you'll be hunting lap times to live up to the engine's apex codename. We wouldn't feel shortchanged by the Mach 1, however, especially if you're a buyer who's only just getting into the whole track-day thing. The places where you can safely exploit 760 angry supercharged horses are few and far between, and 470 hp is more than enough to have a fun day at the track and learn not just the limits of the car, but your own limits as a driver.

The Mach 1 effectively replaces the Bullitt. The Bullitt was the first model to feature the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 with modifications borrowed from the GT350, which is why both it and the Mach 1 had the same 480-hp output. Of course, now it has 10 hp up on the 2022 Mach 1.

While the Bullitt featured some chassis, suspension, and brake upgrades, Ford didn't go so far as to include MagneRide as standard. It also doesn't have trick aerodynamics, but its sleek green body is lovely to look at. The Mach 1 is more focused as a driver's tool, so for those who prefer driving their car instead of standing next to it, it's the one to go for.

You might be thinking the Bullitt represents an interesting used alternative if you can't stretch the budget to $50,000. Unfortunately, the Bullitt retains its value exceptionally well. When new, it retailed for just under $48,000. The cheapest used model will still likely cost around $45,000. It's a nice saving, but if you go up that high, you may as well go for the Mach 1. It has its own unique allure and specialness that makes it just as desirable and likely to retain its value as Steve McQueen's homage. And, both of them get the cue-ball shifter.

You could also spend the $54,000 you would have spent on the Mach 1 on a nice used GT350. The GT350 has everything the Mach 1 has and adds that highly charismatic high-revving Voodoo V8. It has 526 hp and 429 lb-ft and revs to over 8,000 rpm.

There is a problem, however. You could probably get a GT350 for between $40,000 to $50,000, but most of these cars' warranties have now expired and they have likely sustained a lot of abuse on track. The GT350 gets you that hallowed Shelby badge and a spectacular V8, but the Mach 1 gets you 90% of the ability. Cast aside the cachet of the badge, and the Mach 1 makes more practical sense.