The 2022 Ford Mustang GT is here for a base MSRP of $37,275 and comes with a few upgrades from the outgoing model year in the form of multiple optional appearance packages and minor exterior changes, helping it look fresh. The GT trim of this pony car feaures the impressive Coyote 5.0-liter motor, which does get a slight drop in power due to emissions. That's alright, though, as it's a hoot to drive on the street as well as the racetrack.

The suspension and chassis are tuned to put a smile on your face without compromising the ride quality one bit. The car also has decent gas mileage for something with a massive V8 motor under the hood, and all the much-needed interior and exterior features are onboard. With the rising competition from the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro 1SS and the Dodge Charger R/T, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Ford Mustang GT.

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10 Fun To Drive

2021 Ford Mustang GT Fastback Premium 2-Door Coupe
Via: YouTube

Being one of the most iconic and powerful muscle cars ever to emerge from the American shores, the 2022 Ford Mustang GT does not disappoint in terms of handling and driving dynamics. The car steers into the corners with no effort and there is ample amount of grip even when pushing the car to the limits. We also loved the slight oversteer, which can lead to a nice drift with the help of more throttle input.

2021 Ford Mustang GT
Wikimedia Commons

Even though the front and rear independent suspension is tuned to the softer side, the body roll is well under control. The Mustang GT is also more fun to drive than the similarly priced Chevrolet Camaro 1SS. When it comes to the steering, there's great feel and feedback, and it is light at city speeds and weighs up very well as the speed increases.

9 Decent NHTSA And IIHS Safety Ratings

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: The sports car with loads of muscle.
via: Car and Driver

The older generations of the Ford Mustang were never famous for their safety performance — most of them used to score poorly in the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests. However, things have changed quite a lot since the arrival of the sixth-generation 'Stang, with great scores in all the subsections of both the crash tests.

2019 Ford Mustang GT: The iconic muscle car that is known world wide.
via: CarsGuide

This American performance coupe received a 5-star overall crash safety rating in the NHTSA crash test, with the same excellent rating in the frontal, side, and rollover impact tests. Even though the IIHS hasn't crash-tested the 2022 iteration yet, the 2021 model received a good rating in most of the crashworthiness subsections .

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8 Gets Many Performance Packages

2019 Ford Mustang GT: The muscle car built for all ages.
via: Wikimedia

The performance upgrades that are offered with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT make it a great option for those who want more out of the car without parting with a lot of money. Apart from the mods to the Coyote motor, some of these packages also offer upgraded suspension, a better cooling system, beefier brakes, and more.

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 2-Door Coupe
Via: Ford

The best package of the lot is the GT Performance Package, which retails for $6,700. This includes 19" wheels wrapped in 255 and 275 section front and rear tires, a K-brace, heavy-duty front springs, Torsen differential, unique chassis tuning, and a front splitter. Apart from that, the Mustang GT can also be had with multiple rear axle ratios, wheels and tires options, and two different transmissions.

7 Interior Quality Is Disappointing

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The interior of the 2022 Ford Mustang GT could have been better, especially when it comes to the quality. There are quite a lot of scratchy hard plastics that could be found in the general touchpoints, like the top of the dashboard and door cards. The center console gets a bland-looking plastic panel that houses the infotainment and climate control functions.

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However, the leather inserts that are stuck on the interior bits and the premium-feel leather-wrapped steering wheel looks and feels a bit more elegant than the rest of the cabin. The headliner doesn't feel cheap, and the chrome and aluminum bits also add a bit of classiness to the cabin.

6 Exciting 5.0-Liter V8 Motor Under The Hood

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The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 motor is still around for the 2022-year model, and we are not complaining. This direct injection, naturally aspirated motor now produces 450 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, both figures are down by 10 compared to the 2021 version due to the stringent LEV III emissions. Never mind that, as the performance and burbling V8 engine note are intoxicating when flooring it on the open road.

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The low-end performance is superb, and the car is a delight to drive through the city streets. Take it to the highway and all you need is to gently prod the gas pedal to overtake a fast-moving vehicle. It comes with a standard 6-speed manual, however, you could also get an optional automatic transmission. The Mustang GT managed to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and the quarter-mile run is dealt with in 12.5 seconds.

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5 Gets A Slick Shifting 6-Speed Manual

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The 6-speed manual gearbox that is offered as standard with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT is an utter delight. The main reason is the precise shift mechanism and the adequate notchiness it provides to the driver. Even when shifting the gears fast, the transmission slots into every gear effortlessly and the driver doesn't need to fight for the right gears.

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In comparison, the Dodge Charger and the Chevrolet Camaro had a slightly rubbery gear shift quality. If you don't want to be bothered with the manual shifts, Ford also offers an optional 10-speed SelectShift torque converter automatic transmission for an additional $1,595. The shifts are seamless, and they are very quick in action too. The gearbox doesn't get confused, and the manual control is present with the help of the steering-mounted paddle shifters.

4 Offers A Comfortable Driving Experience

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The 2022 Ford Mustang GT fulfills both the performance and touring necessities, making it a fantastic daily driver. With the suspension tuned to the slightly softer side, the car does handle bumpy roads with superb comfort. The bumps and potholes that are present on the city roads are absorbed completely, making it more comfortable than the European rivals in the segment.

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The softly sprung suspension also doesn't pose any problems on the highway. The car remains stable at any speeds and the vertical movement is minimal. The 18" wheels that come wrapped in the wide 235 tires are partly responsible for the cushy ride quality too. In comparison, the Chevrolet Camaro is more stiffly sprung, making it less comfortable than the Mustang GT.

3 Brake Pedal Felt A Bit Firm

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The firm brake pedal sees no changes and that does take some time to get used to. Along with that, the brakes of the Mustang GT also felt a tad bit grabby when applying them at slow speeds. The initial bite is more than we would like as well, making the brakes feel overly sharp. However, the braking performance is top-notch at any speed.

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The braking is managed by the 4-wheel disc brake setup with 13.9" front rotors and 13" rear rotors. They come with ventilated rotors and features like ABS with EBD, brake assist, and hill hold control. There's nothing to complain about regarding braking progression, and the front-end dive and ABS intrusion are under control.

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2 Real-World Fuel Efficiency Matches The EPA Numbers

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The fuel efficiency numbers punched out by the 2022 Ford Mustang GT are not disappointing at all. It has an almost identical gas mileage to its rivals, the Camaro 1SS and the Charger R/T.

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When equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the Mustang GT could do 15 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, and that equates to combined gas mileage of 18 MPG. With a 16-gallon fuel tank capacity, the car manages 384 miles on the highway before needing to stop for fuel. However, if you want a frugal Mustang, the EcoBoost version is the one to get.

1 A Tight Four-Seater

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The 2022 Ford Mustang GT is not the most ideal 4-seater performance coupe, as the rear seat space is non-existent. Fold the front seat and get into the rear seat, and you are going to be unhappy with the terrible shoulder room, making it feel very claustrophobic. The legroom and headroom of 30.6" and 34.8" are the worst of the segment, as well.

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To make the matters worse, the seats aren't well-padded and the low under-thigh support makes the experience rather painful. However, the front seats are superb, as they have excellent bolstering and more than adequate overall support. The headroom, legroom, and shoulder room are enough to accommodate the taller passengers with ease, and they are very ergonomic.