The 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost is All-New, But is it Enough?
A new 4-cyl turbo engine, modern tech (with an expansive media screen!) a redesigned interior, and drift mode, is 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost the most fun 'Stang ever?
Connie Peters
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And, could it possibly be more fun than the all new Mustang GT?
We got a chance to try the all new 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 4-cylinder and the GT V8 back to back. Both are fun, both have had a full makeover, and both are incredibly accomplished on the track.
I won’t give any more away about the GT than that for now because there is so much to tell about the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost.
The Ford Mustang is one of the all-time best selling sports cars, and for good reason. It invokes a carefree hit-the-road-in-style attitude. Get behind the wheel, feel the pull of the engine and in the convertible version, feel the wind in hour hair. An entire new multimedia system and new technology simplify the cabin and dashboard while giving you more function and options both on the road and on the track.
Related: What Drives Her: Laurie Transou, Chief Engineer of the Mustang Dark Horse
The interior and screens are all new in the 2024 Ford Mustang Ecoboost. Photo: Connie Peters
The 2024 Ford Mustang Ecoboost exterior is also new, but the interior is a show-stopper
The interior of the 2024 Ford Mustang Ecoboost is anchored by an all-digital dual screen display that spans the dashboard. It is totally customizable and focused on the driver. The digital driver display is 12.4″, customizable and incredibly crisp and clear with great animations of drive modes, visible gauges and technology derived from video game technology.
The 12.3″ center multimedia touchscreen now includes the climate control and some other vehicle settings, replacing hard touch buttons. While this is very common now, some will miss the hard touch climate.
Personally, I enjoy the seamlessness of it, it’s modern. As an owner, this means you will quickly adapt to not having a physical button for climate. It felt like being inside a very hot oven up in the hills outside of Los Angeles in July, and I used the touchscreen climate controls quite a lot during on our test drive. The air conditioning always cooled me off quickly and the ventilated seats were a welcome perk.
The multimedia screen features all the tech you’d expect; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both accessed via a USB port. Some Mustang models will have a wireless charging pad and USB ports above the cockpit to accommodate cameras and other track equipment for driving enthusiasts to collect content on the road or track. And, Alexa is also included in the multimedia system.
Related: 10 Affordable and Fun Manual Transmission Cars That Will Fire Up Your Stick Shift Dreams
The new body style of the 2024 Ford Mustang sings in the sunset. Photo: Ford
Advanced Driver Assistance Features are Optional
The new Mustang comes equipped with available Ford Co-Pilot360 technology features; these include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering assist, evasive steer assist and reverse brake assist.
One helpful system that is standard is the FordPass app. This lets you remote start and stop the car, lock and unlock the doors, schedule a start time, locate the car in a parking lot, and check for things like oil, tire pressure and other health and statuses. You can even see when your Mustang is near the end of the warranty to make sure you take advantage of everything the warranty and service plans offer.
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost handled beautifully on Autocross and Drifting. Photo: Ford
A New EcoBoost Engine That’s Powerful and Fun
For 2024, Mustang EcoBoost models have an all-new four-cylinder turbocharged 2.3-liter engine offering up 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Mustang’s EcoBoost models have always been fun and powerful and now, just a bit more power but a lot more fun.
Much of the fun comes from a new feature, electronic Drift Brake. This mode allows you to drift, or essentially accelerate and brake to sliding while turning, kicking up dust and smoke. It is immensely fun (though better on a closed road where you don’t put yourself or anyone else at risk). We learned to do this with a pro drifter in the passenger seat at the Irwindale Race Track in Pasadena, CA. He taught me to drift through an auto cross course. We did it eight times and even learned to drift into a ‘box,’ a true Fast and Furious move. It was a blast!
Related: 7 Sexy Sports Cars to Fulfill Your Need for Speed
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost looks just as good as the GT in my opinion. Photo: Connie Peters
Drawing inspiration from RTR’s Formula Drift Mustang Spec 5-FD and engineered in cooperation with RTR drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea DeNofa, the 2024 Mustang equipped with Performance Electronic Parking Brake slides through corners with the ease of a professional drift car while maintaining the performance, comfort, and design characteristics that define Mustang. The electronic drift brake unlocks the rear-wheel-drive drifting capability of Mustang with the visual appeal and functionality of a traditional, mechanical hand brake.
The Performance Electronic Parking Brake comes standard with the Performance Pack on all Mustang models.
If all this sounds like a lot it is. But it’s not all.
Mustang also introduced a new GT version. But that’s another story for another day… complete with photos and video. And then you’ll have to decide: is the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost enough? Or are you GT all the way? Come back tomorrow for photos, video and details of how the new Mustang GT made me feel driving the winding canyon hills of Angeles Crest outside of Los Angeles! Our YouTube video also drops tomorrow morning first thing!
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Disclosure: I was a guest of Ford for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own. Additionally, A Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from affiliate links in this story.
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