The rear-drive ‘23 Mustang comes in a half-dozen trim choices: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, Mach 1, and Mach 1 Premium. The EcoBoost and GT come as either a coupe or convertible, but the Mach 1s are only offered as coupes. Ford also offers two engines, a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a 5.0-liter V8. The 2.3-liter is standard in the EcoBoost trims and makes 310 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque; with the optional 2.3L High Performance Package, horsepower gets a boost to 330. The V8 is provided in the GT and Mach 1, but there’s a difference in horsepower. In the GTs it makes 450 hp, while in the Mach 1 it’s tuned to produce 470 hp (both put out 410 lb.-ft. of torque). This is a true driver’s car, and as such a six-speed manual transmission is standard for all trims. A 10-speed automatic is optional.
The base EcoBoost is equipped with LED headlights and taillights, rain-sensing wipers, a limited-slip rear differential, 17-inch wheels, remote start, proximity keyless entry (Intelligent Access), push-button ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and two USB charging ports. The EcoBoost Premium has 18-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, aluminum sport pedals, ambient interior lighting, memory settings (for the driver’s seat, side mirrors, and ambient lighting), illuminated doorsill scuff plates, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, and ActiveX upholstery.
The track-ready GT mostly builds off the base EcoBoost with the more potent V8, LED fog lights, a quad exhaust, and a raised blade decklid spoiler; however, it does get the EcoBoost Premium’s dual-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats (they’re not heated or ventilated, though). The GT Premium is a mix between the EcoBoost Premium and the GT and comes with a HomeLink universal garage door opener.
The dramatically styled Mach 1 flaunts a performance rear spoiler, 19-inch wheels, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, a MagneRide damping system, enhanced chassis tuning, Brembo brakes, heavy-duty front springs, a white cue-ball shift knob, color-accented cloth seats, and an instrument panel badge that displays the model’s specific unit number. The Mach 1 Premium is similar, but it adds a heated steering wheel, special hand-stitched interior accents, aluminum pedals, and heated and ventilated front seats.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 system of advanced safety features is standard in the 2023 Mustang. Its technologies consist of forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The EcoBoost Premium and above also receive rear parking sensors.
Ford’s basic SYNC infotainment system is standard in the EcoBoost and GT. It has a 4.2-inch central screen, a six-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The Premium trims (as well as the Mach 1) come with the more advanced SYNC 3 system, which has an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a nine-speaker audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Ford+Alexa app can be downloaded and used to connect Android devices and iPhones to the SYNC 3 system.
One of the biggest draws of the ’23 Mustang is the array of trim-specific upgrade packages that Ford offers for customizing. The 2.3L High Performance Package for the EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium features several prominent performance upgrades, like 19-inch wheels with summer tires, enhanced brakes, a sportier suspension, an improved limited-slip rear differential, an active performance exhaust system, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (automatic transmission models only), an upgraded gauge cluster with oil pressure and boost gauges, and exclusive exterior and interior trim details. The EcoBoost Handling Package can be added to provide wider wheels and Pirelli Corsa4 summer tires, Brembo brakes, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and a MagneRide damping system.
Both GT grades are eligible for the GT Performance Package, which has 19-inch wheels with summer performance tires, Brembo brakes, a sportier suspension, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Other than that, the EcoBoosts and GTs qualify for the Ford Safe and Smart Package, which includes adaptive cruise control and navigation. Most of the higher-end features in the Premium trims can be ordered with the others as standalone options. Other notable add-ons include a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, Recaro front sport seats, and a heated steering wheel.
