A muscle car is bestowed that moniker for a reason—the name denotes power, strength, and a certain level of automotive brashness. The Ford Mustang is arguably the very first muscle car to gain worldwide popularity and since its launch in the 1960s it has progressively evolved while staying true to its sports car roots. Now in its sixth generation, the Mustang is as innovative as it’s ever been and 2020 saw the re-introduction of the GT500 edition with a 5.2-liter “Predator” V8 engine. Sounds like a beast of a car. This review is not about that version.
Instead, this is a review of the other Mustang edition for 2020, one that sits on the opposite side of the spectrum: the Mustang Ecoboost. Instead of a snarling V8 engine, the Ecoboost has a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that still lands this Mustang in the sports car category. As you can see from the photos on this page, our review Mustang came in a bright lime green paint job, one that would be impossible to ignore on the road. I’ve reviewed Mustangs before but this was truly something different and while I didn’t know what to expect from my time with it, this Ecoboost was filled with pleasant surprises and memorable drives.
What this Dad Driver Digs about th3 2020 Ford Mustang Ecoboost
The Elephant Under the Hood – It’s what makes a Mustang an Ecoboost so let’s talk about the elephant under the hood. Ford’s turbocharged 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine might not have the launch power of the GT’s V8 but it certainly holds its own. 310 horsepower is more than enough brawn to pop this nimble Mustang off the line with confidence and with 350 pound feet of torque, it’s easy to tear up the road like any capable sports car. Putting the pedal to metal, I found that the Ecoboost revs up in satisfactory fashion and while I’ve driven faster cars, I didn’t feel that I was lacking in any kind of speedy performance.
It doesn’t hurt that this engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that gracefully climbs the gears with ease and never gave signs of an abrupt downshift. The Ecoboost drove as nimble and prowled the streets so comfortably that it doesn’t take long to recognize why the Mustang is as popular as it is. Rounding tight corners with ease makes it easy to imagine driving this on a track with plenty of thrills—even if you might not win the race with this particular version.
An Eye For Design – When it was first introduced in 2015 I wasn’t immediately fond of the extreme fastback design of this sixth generation of the Mustang. But it’s grown on me and given the opportunity to review a Mustang in such a fun color, the unique body stylings are even more apparent. Aerodynamic doesn’t even begin to describe the swift lines and the elongated body stylings of this generation. It looks like a bullet and there are a ton of throw back design elements throughout the exterior and interior that scream style and nostalgia. Inside, classic design cues are impossible to miss, like the curved plastics of the dash that nod to the metal used in the original Mustangs. The rounded shifter head and the physical switches that control various functions like drive mode are slick and timeless.
And don’t think I was just going to brush over that “fun color” our review Mustang came in. The official name of the paint job is Grabber Lime and if you’re looking for a color that stands out, this is about as eye-catching as you can get. It’s a beautiful hue of green and fits perfectly with the Ecoboost trim. It’s, dare I say, an eco-friendly color and I was constantly looking for places to snap photos of this stunning ride. I stumbled across the sunflower mural pictured below and it couldn’t have been a more perfect backdrop for this Mustang.
Bright Technology – Hopping into the driver’s seat of the 2020 Mustang you’re treated to what is essentially a cockpit. Gauges pop out at you from everywhere, a nicely situated 8-inch infotainment screen sits low on the dash, and behind the steering wheel is an impressive 12-inch digital gauge cluster. It sounds overwhelming but somehow it isn’t and instead I felt empowered and starry-eyed. The digital readouts are designed minimalistically and function with just the right amount of flair. Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system is a breeze to use and I appreciated the large buttons that are easy to read and reach while on the road.
Driving at night in the 2020 Mustang is a treat for the eyes, as ambient lighting creates a striking mood. A driver selected color scheme is illuminated through cabin lighting strategically placed throughout to give the entire interior a swanky vibe. Even the cup holders were lit up like glow sticks. This might be too much interior light for sleeping toddlers in the backseat but it sure does fill the driver with adrenaline.
Surprising Trunk Space – “Let’s make a run to Costco” When my wife made this suggestion while on a sunday test drive in the Mustang, I broke out in laughter. “There is no way we’re going to fit a load of groceries in this car,” I exclaimed. (Our daughter and her entourage of diaper bags were in the back seat, so that was not an additional storage option). We pulled into an empty parking lot and I popped the truck to illustrate my point. “I can work with this,” she said, confidently. And she did.
At 13.5 cubic feet of space, the Mustang has a surprisingly deep trunk and I was shocked that my wife was able to carefully load it up with groceries from two different stores. I was so impressed I had to take photos to document. Below you can see how easily we filled the trunk and once we arrived home, I placed all the items in our hallway to illustrate how much cargo it was. (To be fair, we carried the eggs up front with us) If you’re a mom or dad driver, let it be known, grocery runs can indeed be accomplished in the Mustang.
Impressive Fuel Economy – An Ecoboost engine should deliver on plenty of fronts but perhaps most importantly it shouldn’t be a strain on your wallet. This little four cylinder engine “that could” gets an impressive 21 miles to the gallon in the city and a whopping 32 miles on the highway. When it comes to miles per gallon, this is the most efficient engine that Ford offers in its current Mustang lineup.
What About the 2020 Mustang Gets a Dad Downvote
Unsurprising Backseat Space – The trunk space in one thing—the back seat is an entirely different story. Sports cars like the Mustang are known for notoriously laughable back seat space and while the Mustang offers more leg and hip room than some of its competitors, it’s still a tight squeeze. I was able to fit my daughter’s child seat in the back but I was forced to place it on the passenger side, with the front passenger seat moved up quite a bit—it would have never fit behind the driver’s seat as I need the leg room up front. Even with the passenger seat pulled forward, her toes could almost touch the back of the seat. Again no surprise here but something to consider if you have kids or more than one regular passenger.
Not Much Storage Space Upfront – Again, not a shock but the limited amount of storage space up front in the cabin can be challenging, particularly for parents. There is barely room up front for drinks and a cell phone so be sure to travel lite.
Economical Performance in an Attractive Package
Just when you think you know all there is to know about the Ford Mustang, a variation like the Ecoboost comes along and shifts your entire perspective. I’ve long been a fan of the Mustang’s origins but not until this sixth generation has Ford really solidified what could very well be called the most well-rounded, affordable sports car on the market. The base model of the Ecoboost Mustang starts as low as $27k—a heck of a deal by today’s standards. The premium coupe model we tested starts at $31,685. But if you’re like me, you won’t want to stop there.
The Mustang we reviewed came equipped with the Performance Package which includes sporty enhancements like a spoiler, low gloss ebony aluminum wheels and active valve performance exhaust. This last feature is a system that allows drivers to vary the loudness of their exhaust system—a key feature for any driver who wants everyone around them to know they have a sports car. The Performance Package was a welcome addition so it would be tough to imagine purchasing the Mustang without it. This package alone adds an additional $5k to the price. With the inclusion of the automatic transmission and additional equipment our review vehicle totaled $41,570.
Depending on what kind of Driver you are, that sticker price can make all the difference but one thing we’re sure of is that this Ecoboost Mustang is quite the bang for your buck. If you have a need for speed, performance and exquisite handling, the Ecoboost Mustang has that and more. Just make sure to keep the trunk clear for last minute grocery runs.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
