2019 Ford Mustang Ecoboost performance review

It was an ordinary Monday night, just a quick trip to the supermarket in a 2019 Ford Mustang EcoBoost before heading home. Ahead of me as I walked to the car park was a family. Mother and father were reluctantly squabbling in public as their young son walked within earshot, unaware of the escalating feud.

He was transfixed on the Mustang – ‘my’ Mustang. “Dad look, it’s a Mustang”, said the boy, grabbing his father’s arm for attention. Literally pulled out of his confrontation, the response was short, but cutting. “Mate, it’s not even a V8.” Despite the authoritative response from his elder and a two-door coupe sans 5.0 badging, it didn’t stop the beguiled boy watching wide-eyed as I drove away.

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That’s the visual appeal of the iconic ponycar. The current design (with updates in line with the GT) is such a successful throwback to the past while still being bang-on in a modern context. Yet unlike America, where the fuel crisis meant four-cylinder Mustangs have been a thing since the ’70s, we’re yet to fully grasp the notion of a ’Stang with only “half an engine”.

However, maybe it should be viewed as a Focus RS-powered Mustang – just in a milder tune, with that grunt sent to the rear 255-section P Zeros and not all fours. And with 224kW and 441Nm from its alloy, 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo, that’s exactly what the Fastback is – it’s also $13K cheaper than the GT. You can select a reworked six-speed manual or the hyped 10-speed auto in either Fastback or Convertible guises.

Just don’t expect the same levels of straight-line prowess as either of its Blue Oval siblings. Down the drag strip, a 6.23 second 0-100km/h time was all she wrote, that’s combined with a quarter-mile in 14.38sec at 151.85km/h.

It isn’t blisteringly fast and it’s a stark reminder that the boosted four-pot still weighs 1705kg. A careful management of wheelspin off the line is required with precisely timed shifts as second gear tops out at 104km/h. Although it does sound a lot better while doing it with the quad-tipped exhaust offering a far louder and tuneful bark than before.

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Away from straight lines, it’s out in the real world where the EcoBoost comes alive and makes more sense. It feels faster on the run with dollops of torque to relax into while holding onto taller gears.

Speaking of, the shorter ratios used for the manual should be fitted to the brawny GT. Given it’s a $3K premium, the hyped 10-speed auto isn’t a better pick as the manual provides a superior user experience.

Point to point, the EcoBoost ’Stang strides with the kind of dynamic verve that would match a GT caught in its lower rev range. It’s competent and composed, but the optional MagneRide is $2750 well spent. Sans adaptive dampers, the ride quality lacks the ultimate duality of comfort and control.

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While the lighter front-end is tangibly keener on turn-in, the steering isn’t tactile enough and it’s a bit dead straight-on. Toggling through the modes doesn’t really help as it simply adds artificial weight. The long nose seemingly exacerbates the feeling of disconnection from the front axle.

While being spirited, there’s never quite enough grunt to overpower the rear axle, meaning once you’ve got past the neutral mid-point of the corner, exciting the rear-end for a bit of fun on corner exit is difficult – even with a limited-slip differential.

The initial travel in the brake pedal is sharp and the touchy nature it returns isn’t for everyone. Acclimatise to it and the Brembo stoppers are excellent.

Despite upping the fit-and-finish game as well as adding better materials, like the exterior, the cabin remains a retro homage with varying degrees of success. It’s an apt interior for the exterior in terms of presence.

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SYNC3 infotainment (with a large 8.0-inch screen) and a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster are highlights, while all 2019 EcoBoosts come with an, ahem, banging B&O sound system and Autonomous Emergency Braking.

It’s hard not to look at Mustangs with the same lust as the aforementioned boy – and that’s not via rose-coloured glasses. There’s something about American muscle that just works. However, it’s tied to a V8 narrative; one made even more resolute with the death of Aussie, rear-drive V8s.

Be in no doubt, the EcoBoost Mustang Fastback is a talented, rear-drive performance coupe that, at $49,990, makes a strong case. But it’s not a V8. And that’s what really counts.

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2019 FORD MUSTANG ECOBOOST SPECS
Engine: 2261cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, turbo
Power: 224kW @ 5700rpm
Torque: 441Nm @ 3000rpm
Weight: 1705kg
0-100km/h: 5.8sec (claimed)
Price: $49,990

Like: Point-to-point pace; overall dynamic balance; involving manual; styling
Dislike: It’s not a V8 and will never stack up acoustically; heavy, not overly fast; steering

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars