There’s no question that Ford Mustangs, old or new, are great automobiles that anybody would notice due to their iconic design features. Ford started building the Mustang in 1964, so it would be a surprise if someone didn’t recognize one by now. Plus, if you think 56 years isn’t very long for a car to be made, the Honda Odyssey has been built for 26 years, and that is considered a long time.
In other words, the Mustang’s long-run has made it an icon within the auto world. Being a gold standard for the sports car; Ford’s modern and currently sold versions have to be great vehicles. There are special versions of the Mustang available such as the Shelby GT350R and GT500, but it's worth focusing on the two most common models: the EcoBoost and V8.
Updated Februrary 2022: Mustang buyers who feel torn between these two great engine options have nothing to fear—we've got all the information you need. We've updated this article to reflect the latest pricing and info regarding the latest Ford Mustang model options so that prospective buyers feel confident about choosing the right powerplant.
These two variants represent the bulk of Mustang sales. Apart from the powerplant differences, the EcoBoost and the V8 Mustang GT are both solid performers.
This, however, brings up important questions: which of the two is truly better? Furthermore, which one should you buy?
Pricing: EcoBoost Wins
If you're considering the purchase of any type of car, one of the first factors that comes to mind is the price. Well, the truth is, the difference between these two options is pretty significant. The EcoBoost starts at $27,205 before any options, while the V8 GT starts at $36,285, around $9,000 more than the EcoBoost. There is a clear and significant price difference between these two sports cars.
However, different versions of the EcoBoost such as a premium or convertible version of the car end up costing more bringing the cost closer to the V8 GT before options. Although the same can be said about the V8 model canceled out by the obviously higher prices for the matching versions of the V8 Mustang, with a ceiling as high as $46,000.
Performance: V8 Wins
While there is a clear price difference between these two Ford automobiles, there is a reason behind it, and that is where the engine comes in. In the much cheaper EcoBoost, as the name would suggest, there is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which makes 310 horsepower. The Mustang GT, on the other hand, has a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine, which makes a whopping 460 horsepower—that's 150 more horsepower than a regular EcoBoost.
Acceleration: V8 Wins
The power in the V8 is clearly a lot more than that in the EcoBoost, but power and size aren’t always the most important things. After all, the new Supra has a much weaker engine than many other sports cars, but it often keeps up with those foes. Sadly, for the EcoBoost, this is not the case.
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost goes from 0-60 MPH in 5.1 seconds, and can only reach a top speed of 121 MPH. The V8 GT speeds from 0-60 in only 4.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 155 MPH. The speed difference between these two cars isn’t just a mere 5 MPH. These two sports cars are 34 mph apart. For many people buying a car like this, that is an important factor.
Interior And Exterior Styling: Tie
While the top speed of the car is drastically different between these two, there’s more to cars than just speed. Other aspects differ such as the vehicle's design, and if you are buying a sports car like this, it's very likely you care about how it looks. Unfortunately, in this case, besides a few badges, there isn’t really any difference between the looks of these sports cars.
The interior is more the same as there is truly no real difference between these two cars besides their engines. Both have the same center system, the same steering wheel, and front and back seats. To any average person, they could easily be mistaken for one another.
Sound: V8 Wins
As previously mentioned, the only real difference between these two cars is the engine. This brings us to the all-important aspect most buyers look for when considering a muscle car: the sound it makes. While it is ultimately opinion, there is no denying the pure pleasure of a grumbling American V8.
Through all of this, it is clear that the GT and the EcoBoost are basically the same exact car, inside and out. The main difference is the engine, which comes with a small price increase. Ultimately, if you don’t care about power and speed, you can save some money with the EcoBoost. Otherwise, the V8 GT is definitely worth a few extra thousand dollars.