Visibility is excellent, and is enhanced by built-in blind spot sections in the rearview mirrors. Mustang is a better daily driver than its main competitor: the Chevrolet Camaro. A huge shout out to any manufacturer still offering a manual tranny, but this one doesn't always inspire confidence. However, third gear, in particular, is clunky - especially when the transmission is cold. The six-speed manual transmission is laid out well and offers short throws. The steering mode can be set separately from the drive mode, however, which is handy for long freeway drives. The electrically assisted steering means more power goes to the rear wheels compared to a hydraulic setup, but the steering feel is light and unresponsive unless the driver is in sport plus mode and beyond. The toggle switches for steering and driving modes, along with the hazard lights, is made of a chrome-looking plastic that isn't worthy of the aircraft-inspired look Ford was going for. The analog guages are perfect for a car like this, but the font on the guages is plain and uninspiring. Overall, the Mustang is beautifully styled, but the retro feel of some of the design elements miss more than others.

The optional Performance Pack brake and suspension package makes the Mustang more track-capable than ever. The Mustang makes an easy transition from GT cruiser to canyon carver. The system does lag at times, and I had to use Android Auto to force the system to recognize phone apps that should have been recognized automatically.Īs far as handling goes, modern Mustangs do it better than ever, thanks to independent rear suspensions and limited slip differentials. Sync 3 is easy to use and includes Apple Car Play, Android Auto and Sirius XM Radio. Even the fastback rear deck is a throwback to the past.įord's Sync 3 infotainment system is a good one, especially the stock stereo system. The views from the cabin are stellar and the hood is long, low and aggressive, while the rear fenders flare prominently. The Mustang is an aggressive and attractive package. The exterior styling is very similar to its GT big brother, and only those in the know could spot the difference at a glance. The biggest surprise for me? I loved the cloth seats - both for support in the corners and comfort in the cold and heat. But overall, the interior looks good and is well laid out. There are still some subpar hard plastics that disappoint, and fake metal parts that could be made from actual metal without adding substantial weight. Toggle switches and gauges pay homage to the P-51 fighter plane, for which the car was originally named.

The interior is the best yet, and hearkens to Mustangs of the past. I wasn't sure whether a turbo-four could move the big pony car in a way that would thrill. The 2019 Mustang EcoBoost is available with a six-speed manual transmission and a new 10-speed automatic, making it even more fun to drive.

Velocity Blue is a new color for 2019 (Photo: Mike Stapley)

Swam engine review