2025 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Premium – Review by David Colman

A Slice of The Way Things Were

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Attention driving enthusiasts! The 2025 Ford Mustang is still available! Which is more than you can say for Chevrolet's Camaro or any of Chrysler's many musclecars. The American 2+2 coupe is pretty much a thing of the past except at Ford, which continues to build its snarling darling Mustang at Flat Rock, Michigan. We recently had the opportunity to sample the turbocharged 2.3 liter Ecoboost version which carried a base price of just $36,445. Of course, that's not how the bottom line looked, since our test car was anything but a stripper.

Our $51.935 Mustang carried some pricey but worthwhile extras. The first price bump cost $3,000 for Equipment Group 201A: "Co-Pilot 360 Assist+, Connected Built-In Navigation, and Premier Trim with Color Accent." This package added a spectacularly understated paint job called Carbonized Gray Metallic to all exterior surfaces, including the matching alloy wheels. The entire body was then wrapped by Ford - at the factory - with a "Matte Clear Film" that cost a whopping but worth it $5,995 extra. It's the first time I have encountered such a factory applied wrap from any manufacturer. The optical results definitely justified the extra cost. Our stealth Ecoboost looked like nothing else on the road.

But Ford didn't draw the line on mere cosmetics here. They also added a $3,475 "2.3 L High Performance Package" which contributed a Torsen limited slip rear differential with a drag racing final drive ratio of 3.55:1. Additionally, the HP pack includes super-wide 19" x 9" color matched aluminum wheels shod front and rear with 255/40ZR19 Pirelli P Zero "summer tires" (TW 220). Another tweak included in this option group is a brake upgrade: 19-inch Brembo brakes "with PRFM Lining" are dressed with black calipers bearing white Brembo logos. A mellifluous exhaust note is provided by the $1,225 "Active Valve Performance Exhaust." That foxy looking wedge rear spoiler completes the monochromatic aero suit.

But enough of cosmetics, how does this baby go? Damn quick. In fact, it cranks off a 0-60mph run in just 4.5 seconds. Compared to its big brother, the 486hp V8 Mustang GT's 4.2-second run, the 315hp Ecoboost only gives away 0.3 seconds slower than the gas hogging GT. Handling is exceptional. On really twisty, sharp radius turns, the sheer physical size of the Mustang dictates that you point and shoot your apexes with due caution. When you perfectly orchestrate your turn-in point, apex clip, and throttle mash, this Mustang makes you feel like a world champ. On any challenging back road, the response of the Ecoboost turbo is instantaneous - provided you've slotted the 10-speed automatic into the right gear slot. Choose the wrong one, and the little 2300cc four-banger will fall flat on its face. The compliant Pirelli rubber proved a godsend, capable of sucking up dips and bumps without losing adhesion, while providing such generous contact patches that the Mustang never missed a step. Steering feedback felt precise enough to justify touting the Ecoboost Mustang as an autocross winner. Since line of sight to apex cones is bodywork impeded, however, precise placement comes with a steep learning curve, but ultimately produces rewarding lap times.

Finished like a gray ghost, the Ecoboost Mustang is a real head turner. The four separate chrome tail pipes that sprout beneath the rear diffuser burble a happy tune at idle, but gather to a crescendo when you flatten the throttle. It's a melodic symphony rarely heard from any sports coupe these days, one to be uniquely cherished as the age of provocative motoring dims with the passage of time. Another giant plus in the Mustang's favor is the all-business look of its digital dashboard, which replicates clear white instrument faces set against no-nonsense black backgrounds. There is no attempt to jazz up this classic cockpit layout with cute EV-style graphic nonsense. Seeing a proper tachometer with redline clearly demarcated, flanked by a proper speedometer with well-defined hash marks suggested there may still be hope for those of us who abhor unnecessary visual embroidery.

While the Mustang left us with many happy memories, it also created a problem that had us scratching our heads and calling AAA. I was demonstrating various aspects of its operation to a friend who loves Ford products. The engine was running, the car was in Park, and my keys were sitting in the center console cup holder. When I tried to open the door, I discovered the car had - unbidden by me - locked both doors and left the motor running. Now I know Christine was a Plymouth, but still... This perplexing state of affairs was only rectified by calling out an AAA tow truck driver who adeptly gained access to the inside door release. Afterwards, I did some sleuthing on this phenomenon and discovered that Ford's Maverick truck has been similarly afflicted. There's even a Ford Dealer in Bakersfield, CA, who advertises how best to solve this problem. My advice? Never leave your Mustang's keys in the car when you shut the door.

2025 FORD MUSTANG ECOBOOST COUPE PREMIUM

• ENGINE: 2.3 liter inline-4, turbocharged
• HORSEPOWER: 315hp
• TORQUE: 350lb.-ft.
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 21MPG City/29MPG HIGHWAY
• PRICE AS TESTED: $51,935

HYPES: Classic Ponycar LITE

GRIPES: Carry a spare key in your wallet

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10

©2025 David E Colman