2022 Ford Mustang Coupe

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.

The sixth-generation Ford Mustang has been with us since 2015, so most are familiar with the shape. This sleek two-door coupe hasn't aged much in that time, and the 2022 model year looks better than ever. The base model shows off with standard exterior features such as 17-inch Sparkle Silver-painted alloy wheels, LED headlamps, LED signature lighting, LED front park turn lamps, hood vents, LED taillights, and a dual bright exhaust with rolled polished tips. The Ecoboost Premium adds features such as heated side mirrors, a blade decklid spoiler, and 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with high-gloss Ebony Black-painted pockets. Ford will also let you spruce up the exterior with a performance rear wing, several other wheel designs, and hood/side stripes.

The Stealth Package, available on the Premium model, comes with blacked-out exterior trim, 19-inch alloy wheels, and clear LED tail lamps. The Coastal Limited Package adds side scoops, a pedestal rear spoiler, and a high gloss black grille, while the Ice White Appearance Package equips 19-inch wheels with white-painted pockets, clear taillamps, since white door trim, instrument panel, and performance rear wing. The latter package also adds a unique black grille with Ice White front and rear Pony badging.

This two-door coupe measures 188.5 inches in length and rolls on a 107.1-inch wheelbase. It is 54.3 inches tall and 81.9 inches wide (75.4 inches if you exclude the wing mirrors). The front track is 62.4 inches, and the rear track is 65.1 inches.

The EcoBoost Coupe is a middleweight when it comes to sports cars and tips the scale at 3,492 pounds in manual configuration or 3,512 lbs in auto guise. The 2022 Mustang Coupe is one of the shorter cars in its pool of competitors; the Dodge Challenger is nearly 200 inches long at 197.9 inches.

Such an iconic car deserves a ton of iconic colors, and Ford has delivered. The 2022 Mustang Coupe is offered in no less than 12 different exterior paint colors. Your basics include Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, and Oxford White. The more adventurous can select from fanciful colors such as Race Red, Rapid Red Metallic ($495), Atlas Blue, Grabber Blue, Cyber Orange ($695), Dark Matter Gray, Carbonized Gray, Mischievous Purple, or Eruption Green. Many of these colors are new for 2022, and the latter two will only be available later in the year. The Premium model is also offered in Brittany Blue Metallic as a late availability option as part of the Coastal Limited Package. If we were buying, we'd get one in Atlas Blue.

A variety of hood stripes are available too, and the roof can be optioned in black for added contrast.

People don't buy Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupes because they want a fuel-efficient city commuter. They also don't buy them because they want to set Nurburgring track records, but they do expect above-average performance, and boy does the Mustang Coupe deliver. Some hardcore Mustang fans might have felt cheated when Ford introduced the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the base model, but many soon realized it is way easier to get extra power out of this power plant than it is to squeeze power out of a naturally-aspirated V6 or low-compression V8. The 2.3-liter engine, after all, came out of the fire-breathing Focus RS, where it produced 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Now with a solid 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque under your right foot, the Mustang Coupe never feels slow, even though it lacks the growl and rasp of a V8. For those looking for some extra poke, Ford offers a high-performance version of the same engine, which produces 330 hp and 350 lb-ft. Independent testing has shown that the rear-wheel-drive Mustang Coupe can bolt from 0-60 mph in about five seconds if perfectly launched, making it quicker than its main rival, the base Chevrolet Camaro Coupe.

The Mustang's top speed is limited to 121 mph normally but this is increased to 145 mph with the EcoBoost Performance Package and 155 mph with the High-Performance Package that hikes power up to 330 hp. If that's all not enough, the V8-powered Mustang GT and GT500 are always on hand with greater power and a stellar soundtrack, or you can completely abandon the coupe's roots and buy a Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.

Under the hood of the 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe sits a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from the last generation Ford Focus RS. In the Mustang, this engine has been down-tuned to produce 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels (where else?) via a six-speed manual or optional ten-speed automatic transmission. The ten-speed auto uses a 3.15 limited-slip rear axle, while the six-speed manual gets a 3.55 limited-slip axle.

This powertrain is more than capable of entertaining, whether you go for the manual or auto box, but we'd always recommend going with the more engaging six-speed shooter. If you're all about 0-60 mph times and weekends at the drag strip, the ten-speed auto might be better, but it sucks a lot of the fun out of owning a RWD sports car. The 2.3-liter high-performance option increases the size of the turbo compressor, adds a larger radiator, and gets a slight ECU tweak for a total power output of 330 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That might not look like much on paper, but the way the torque curve has been adjusted to deliver power earlier is noticeable. This engine produces more than enough grunt for city driving, and there is oodles of torque when you're attempting to overtake on the highway. It might not sound as cool as a V8 engine, but it delivers impressive performance.

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.

It is truly amazing how far the internal combustion engine has come. Back in the 1980s and early 90s, a Fox Body Mustang 5.0 made less power and returned under 20 mpg from its big and lazy V8 engine. The 2022 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Fastback will destroy a Fox Body 5.0 in every sense and still manage to return impressive fuel consumption figures of 21/32/25 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle, with the auto 'box. The six-speed manual version is slightly thirstier but still manages a respectable 21/29/24 mpg. If you opt for the high-output engine, figures drop to 20/27/23 mpg with the auto or 20/27/22 mpg with the manual.

With a 15.5-gallon fuel tank fitted to the 2022 car, you can expect to see a maximum range of 388 miles in its most frugal guise.

Saying that the Mustang Coupe's interior is better than ever might sound good to first-time buyers, but long-time Mustang fans will know that these Pony cars were never known for their quality interiors. Thankfully the sixth generation saw a big improvement in overall build quality and design, and the 2022 car is quite good. We appreciate the generational design of the cabin, which features chunky styling, a functional layout, and some decent standard features and tech. Look hard enough, and you'll still find some cheap-feeling plastics, but the overall package is solid. The Mustang's two-plus-two seating arrangement unashamedly favors the front seat occupants, but that's what coupe life is all about.

The 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe offers classic 2+2 seating, focusing on front passenger comfort. In the base model, you get a four-way manually-adjustable driver's seat and a two-way passenger seat, both covered in cloth fabric. The Mustang's seats are much nicer in the Premium. Here, you'll find heated and cooled ActiveX-upholstered seats with six-way power adjustability for the driver, including lumbar adjustment, and four-way power adjustment for the front passenger. There's a generous 45.1 inches of legroom in the front, shrinking to a dangerously tight 29 inches in the rear. Most taller adults will be able to find a comfortable driving position, but we recommend using the rear seats for extra cargo space and not to transport actual human beings.

Ford has come a long way in terms of its interior design and build quality, and while the 2022 Mustang Coupe might not be a German grand tourer, it still feels suitably special and well made. The base model is offered with cloth upholstery in your choice of Ebony or Dark Ceramic colors. The Premium model is offered with ActiveX seating material in your choice of Ebony, Dark Ceramic, Tan, Showstopper Red (only available with the Premium High package), Midnight Blue with Grabber Blue stitching (requires the same package), or White (which requires the Oxford White exterior paint color and the aforementioned package). The optional $1,650 leather Recaro bucket seats are a solid choice for the focused driver and also look the part. Premium models with the Ice White Appearance Package get unique Ice White door trim panels, a matching instrument panel, and white seat inserts.

Both trim levels feature Satin Chrome instrument cluster register vents and cupholder surrounds, carpeted floor mats, and a leather-wrapped parking brake handle and steering wheel (split-leather-wrapped in the base variant).

Sure, you can only fit half of your teenage son in the back of the 2022 Mustang Coupe, but at least there's enough trunk space to carry his school bag, soccer gear, and some groceries. The Mustang might be a sports coupe, but many thousands of Americans will end up driving these cars daily, which means it needs a decent amount of trunk space. At 13.5 cubic feet, we'd say the trunk of the 2022 Mustang Coupe is more than decent and overshadows the paltry 9.1 cubes you get in the Camaro. The Dodge Challenger leads the way in this area, though, with a trunk measuring over 16 cubes.

If you're a lone-ranger looking to pick up some chicks at the ski resort, we've got some good news: the rear seats fold flat in a 50/50 split, opening up even more space. Small items get stored in the front glove box, twin cupholders in the front, center armrest storage bin, and door pockets.

The main focus of the Mustang Coupe will always be driver enjoyment, but a few nice standard features can never hurt. The base model comes standard with features such as manual air conditioning, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, intelligent access with push-button start, and driver assistance features such as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a rearview camera, and blind-spot monitoring.

The seats are rather basic in the entry-level model - they aren't heated and are only manually adjustable in four directions for the driver and two ways for the front passenger. The Premium model adds nice-to-haves such as dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, rear parking sensors, and power-adjustable front seats with both heating and ventilation.

Despite Ford's best efforts to deliver a decent interior, the Mustang Coupe is let down by its aging infotainment system, especially on the base model, which gets a minuscule 4.2-inch LCD display with a basic SYNC operating system. The base model also gets two smart-charging USB ports and a six-speaker sound system with AM/FM radio, voice recognition, and Bluetooth streaming. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can connect up to ten different devices.

The Premium trim is fitted with a far better eight-inch touchscreen display with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium also adds a nine-speaker sound system with a built-in amplifier along with SiriusXM satellite radio. The SYNC 3 infotainment system isn't the most responsive out there, but it gets the job done. If you don't love the sound of that four-cylinder engine, why not go for the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system? It's only available on the Premium at a cost of $995, though, whereas the base Mustang's six-speaker system can be replaced by a nine-speaker unit.

It would seem that the saying 'built Ford tough' rings true: at the time of writing, the 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe had not been recalled. The 2021 model was recalled for an insufficient weld on the front passenger knee bag that may cause improper deployment, as well as a side curtain airbag that may not inflate properly. 2020 models were recalled for braking issues, malfunctioning camera systems, and an electronic issue with the automatic transmission warning system.

Ford will back the 2022 Mustang Coupe with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and roadside assistance plan, and five years of corrosion cover with no mileage limit.

The NHTSA review of the Ford Mustang Coupe is glowing: the 2022 model received a full five out of five stars, but unfortunately, the IIHS hasn't released any reviews for 2022. The 2021 'Stang couldn't convince the IIHS to hand over one of its Top Safety Pick awards. That's likely because the coupe could only manage an Acceptable score for the small overlap front crash test on the driver's side; in all other crash tests, it returned a maximum Good score.

By seeing the sheer carnage caused by Mustangs on YouTube and Reddit, it is clear that Mustang owners don't take their own safety too seriously, but at least Ford tries to protect them from harm, even if pedestrians aren't so lucky. All 2022 Mustang Coupes come standard with a full suite of airbags, including a driver's knee airbag, dual front airbags, and front-seat side-impact airbags. All coupes also get AdvanceTrac stability control, auto high-beam headlights, pre-collision assist with emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. As part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, all Mustangs also benefit from a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, plus the obligatory rearview camera. Premium models come with rear parking sensors, and both trim levels can be equipped with adaptive cruise control.

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.

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.

Ford offers its EcoBoost Mustang Coupe in two trim levels: base and Premium. Both cars are powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission.

The base model includes exterior features such as 17-inch Sparkle Silver-painted alloy wheels, LED headlamps and LED signature lighting, hood vents, and dual bright exhaust exits with rolled polished tips. The interior gets manual air conditioning, manually-adjustable front seats with cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, intelligent access with push-button start, and driver assistance tech such as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The base model is fitted with a 4.2-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth streaming, voice control, AM/FM radio, two USB charging ports, and a six-speaker sound system.

The Premium Fastback adds heated side mirrors, Pony projection lights, 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with high-gloss Ebony Black-painted pockets, and a blade decklid spoiler. On the inside, the standard manual air conditioning is replaced with dual-zone climate control. Rear parking sensors, ambient interior lighting, and power-adjustable front seats with heating are some of the other nice-to-haves at this level. The Premium has an upgraded infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen, SYNC 3 software, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker sound system with a built-in amplifier.

The vanilla Mustang EcoBoost Fastback is already a tasty snack, but it can be so much better if you throw a few options at it. From the looks department through to performance upgrades, Ford has something for everyone.

Our go-to optional packages include the EcoBoost High 101A equipment group for $2,400 which adds features such as rear parking sensors, SYNC 3, dual-zone auto climate control, and a nine-speaker sound system to the base model. The $1,995 Handling Package adds 19-inch alloy wheels, sticky summer tires, a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip rear axle, MagneRide dampers, and large Brembo brakes. For the ultimate EcoBoost upgrade, Ford offers the 2.3L High-Performance Package, which adds a limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels, summer tires, an active valve exhaust system, heavy-duty front springs, a large radiator, big brake rotors, and more for $6,150.

Three new appearance packages are offered for the 2022 model year, exclusive to the Premium model, all retailing for $1,995. The Stealth Package styles the Mustang in dark and menacing accessories such as a black pony grille, black badging, a performance rear wing, and black 19-inch wheels. The Coastal Limited Package adds a set of 19-inch Tarnished Dark-painted wheels, a pedestal rear spoiler, side scoops, and a unique vinyl wrap - it also gives you access to the Brittany Blue exterior paint. Finally, the Ice White Package adds a set of 19-inch white-painted wheels, clear LED taillamps, Ice White interior trimmings, and an Oxford White exterior paint job.

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.

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.

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.