2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT has a 5.0 L V8 engine under the hood mated to a 6-speed manual while a 10-speed automatic is also optional. The Mustang GT starts at $36,285 for the base trim while the higher Premium trim costs $40,285. The 2021 Ford Mustang GT competes with the 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Coupe, the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS Coupe, and the 2021 BMW M240i Coupe. 

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT is offered in two trim options, namely the base ‘GT Fastback’ and the more expensive ‘GT Premium Fastback’. Both these models are powered by the same 5.0 L V8 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic as standard while a 10-speed automatic is optional on both trims. The main differences between these two models are on the inside and in their feature set. The GT Fastback has a basic interior with cloth upholstery and manual climate control while the GT Premium Fastback gets full-leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control. 

The main available package with the 2021 Ford Mustang GT is the GT Performance Package that costs $6,500 and adds a plethora of performance=oriented features. The package includes 19-inch Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels wrapped in high-performance summer-only tires, upgraded Brembo six-piston front brake calipers with large rotors, a larger radiator, a performance rear wing, unique chassis, EPAS, ABS, and stability control tuning along with some other perks. The following table shows the major features of each trim and their respective prices- 

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The GT Premium would be the ideal choice. It comes with a lot more luxury and extra features over the base trim. It comes with a powerful engine and two great transmission options. The GT Premium is more luxurious and has enhanced interior and exterior features and looks. For people who need a more, sporty, more track-focused driving experience, the GT Fastback base trim with the GT Performance Package would be the perfect option. 

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT models come with a 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 Engine under the hood mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with rev-matching as standard, powering the rear wheels. The Mustang GT could also be equipped with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission for people who prefer automatic over manual. The engine puts out 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of maximum power and torque. 

The power figures are not mindblowing or the best in the segment but they are respectable and the two transmission options are engaging and respond impressively. The Mustang GT takes 4.4 seconds to reach a speed of 60mph and 12.8 seconds to cross the quarter-mile. The Mustang GT also gets a GT dual exhaust with quad tips that puts out a great-sounding track which is pretty nice to hear. 

The 2021 Chevy Camaro 1SS is the standout performer among all of there. It is significantly lower priced than all of the competitors while being faster than all of them. The 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack is the most powerful one in this comparison while it is second to the Camaro in terms of speed. The BMW M240i is the least powerful one, but being a small sports coupe, it is as fast as the much more powerful Mustang but is significantly more expensive. Overall the Mustang is just a mid-level performer in the segment. 

How well does the 2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Drive and Handle?

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT is an impressive machine that handles well in straight lines as well as in the twisties. The steering provides excellent feedback and the driver is always connected to the car. Body roll is well managed and the Mustang GT tackles corners aggressively. Both transmission options are bliss to drive and deliver timely and slick shifts. The ride quality is also pretty good and the Mustang GT is comfortable to travel in for hours. 

The GT Performance Pack adds heavy-duty front springs and high-performance tires which makes the ride stiffer while improving the cornering abilities and handling. This Package further adds a larger radiator, a performance rear wing, and unique chassis tuning along with other enhancements that improve the driving experience. The Chevy Camaro however, is the better performer in terms of handling while the BMW is the absolute best. 

How efficient is the braking performance of the 2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe? 

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT comes with 353mm (14-inch) front brake rotors with 4-piston calipers and 330mm (13-inch) rear brake rotors with single-piston calipers which work efficiently. The GT Performance Package adds Brembo six-piston brake calipers with large rotors to the front which further improves the braking capabilities. The stock braking setup brings the GT to a stop at a distance of 118 ft which is not the best but is a good distance. The brakes are very responsive and the pedal gives a good feel while braking.

The 2021 Dodge Challenger is the best performer in the braking department. It comes with Brembo 4-piston fixed caliper brakes as standard and stops at a very short distance of 105 ft. The BMW M240i which comes equipped with 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC) stops at the second shortest distance which is 107 ft while the Camaro SS and the Mustang GT perform similarly in terms of braking and stands below these two. 

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT is pretty fuel-efficient for a muscle car with a powerful V8 under its hood. The GT provides an efficiency of 15 mpg in the city, 24 on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 18 mpg. Combined with a fuel capacity measuring 16.0 gallons, the Mustang GT doesn’t provide a very long range but it can travel up to around 288 miles without a refill in combined road and driving conditions. Overall its fuel economy is satisfactory in this segment. 

The BMW M240i which is a superb performer and the most expensive machine among these powerhouses is also the most efficient car here. Even with the smallest fuel capacity, the BMW still manages to provide more range than the Mustang GT and the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. The Camaro however, is more fuel-efficient than these two while also having the largest fuel capacity. Hence it outperforms the BMW in terms of range while staying much below it when mpg figures are considered. 

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT comes with a spacious and roomy interior made up of high-quality materials and has a rigid build quality. The cabin is aery and outward visibility is good. The materials and elements used are of great quality and are good to the touch and to feel. The base GT Fastback model comes with a fairly basic interior whole the more expensive Premium trim gets a more luxurious interior. 

The seats are supportive and comfortable inside the Mustang GT while the rear row seats are quite cramped. The seats are cloth-covered sport seats in the front of the base trim of the GT while the Premium trim gets leather upholstery and heating and cooling for the front seats. Ingress and egress to and fro the front seats are super easy while accessing the second row is a bit troublesome. The GT has a low cargo capacity of 13.5 cu-ft which is just satisfactory. 

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack has the most spacious interior while the BMW has the most luxurious one. The interior looks pretty good in all of these models, but the BMW is truly a class apart. It comes with luxurious trim opinions and premium elements and materials all around the inside of its cabin. The Challenger also has the most cargo capacity while the Camaro has a too-small boot. The following are some of the most important exterior features of the 2021 Ford Mustang GT-

• Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
• Ambient Lighting with MyColor and 4.2" Cluster
• Premium Carpeted Floor Mats with Accent Stitch
• Leather-wrapped Parking Brake Handle
• Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel with Cruise and Audio Controls and Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• 6-way Power Driver's Seat with Power Lumbar Control
• 4-way Power Front-passenger Seat
• Heated and Cooled Leather-trimmed Front Seats

How intuitive is the 2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe’s infotainment unit?

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT has a Ford SYNC 3 infotainment unit fitted inside it consisting of an 8-inch touchscreen display. The audio system comes with six speakers in the lower trim while the higher variant has a 9-speaker unit with an amplifier. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard features inside the GT while Sirius XM is only there in the higher Premium Fastback trim. The following are the standout infotainment features in the 2021 Ford Mustang GT-

• 9-speaker Sound System with Amplifier, AM/FM Stereo MP3 capable
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM
• SYNC 3
• USB Ports - Smart-Charging 
• FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT looks pretty much the same as last year and the years before. And that means that it looks good. The exterior looks familiar and fluently beautiful with the strong and fluidic muscular design language. The pony car in the GT variation looks more aggressive and sporty than the base EcoBoost Mustang. The Mustang GT is available in a total of 10 shades, out of which two are offered at an extra cost which are Twisted Orange and Rapid Red. 

The Mustang GT could also be striped in ebony or while according to the shade chosen. The wheels in the GT are of 18-inches in size and are made up of machined-face aluminum with high-gloss ebony black-painted pockets. However, there are some other wheels on offer which include a set of wheels of the same size with a different finish and even larger 19-inch wheels of different finishes, one of them included in the GT Performance Package.

The 2021 BMW M240i is the sportiest and the best-looking machine among these while the Camaro SS is the most sporty looking one among the muscle cars. But the fact is that none of these machines are bad-looking or even slightly dull. All of these cars look extremely good in their own specific manner. The Camaro is the heaviest among these while the BMW M240i as expected is the lightest. The Challenger R/T Scat Pack Coupe is the longest and widest while the BMW is the smallest in all dimensions. The following are the most important exterior features of the 2021 Ford Mustang GT-

• 18" x 8" Machined-face Aluminum with High-gloss Ebony Black-painted pockets 
• Hood Vents
• LED Sequential Taillights
• Pony Projection Lights
• Raised Blade Decklid Spoiler
• Rear Diffuser
• GT Dual Exhaust with Quad Tips
• Daytime Running Lights 
• LED Headlamps with LED signature lighting

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT is a super safe car with extremely impressive safety scores received from both agencies. NHTSA has given the Mustang GT an overall safety score of 5-stars and 5-star ratings under all individual parameters including rollover protection rating which is the absolute best. Getting a perfect 5-star score from NHTSA in all the tests conducted is not a small achievement, and the GT further excels by receiving impressive crash test results from IIHS also. It comes with a set of advanced safety features including the following- 

• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert
• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keeping System
• AdvanceTrac with Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Personal Safety System for Driver and Front Passenger

2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe vs 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Coupe

The 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Coupe is a great machine offering impressive power outputs and super-strong brakes. In fact, it has the best braking distance among all of these cars tested.

The Challenger also has a very roomy interior and a more spacious second row of seats which can seat one extra than the others. Whereas the Mustang handles a bit better while the Challenger is faster. Overall the Challenger is faster and would be a better value for money, but for a better driving experience at the expense of comfort and practicality, you can go for the Mustang.

2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe vs 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS Coupe

The 2021 Chevy Camaro SS is faster than the Ford even while being lower-powered and heavier than the GT. The interior quality and comfort are similar in both models, but the Mustang has a larger boot and slightly more space in the rear row.

However, the choice between a Mustang and a Camaro is obviously of personal preference and for me, it would be the Camaro as I think it looks much more sport and also handles better than the Mustang.

2021 Ford Mustang GT Coupe vs 2021 BMW M240i Coupe

The 2021 BMW M240i is a superb piece of craftsmanship, but it’s significantly more expensive than the Mustang GT or any other competitors compares here for that matter.

But it is definitely worth the extra price paid, as it is the most engaging and exhilarating one to drive and handles with the precision of a razor blade. It also has a luxurious interior and enough space offering great comfort to all the occupants. So if you have the extra money to spend and you are not adamant that you want a muscle car then go for it, otherwise the Mustang GT is still a great choice. 

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT remains to be an excellent car in the segment. It has a capable powertrain, impressive handling, and a high-quality interior. The braking in the standard setup could be improved, but it is still pretty good and similarly, it also provides a respectable fuel economy. Ingress and egress to and fro the second row is hard, but that is expected from a 2-door coupe. All of this means that the Mustang GT is still a superb car, but it just shows its age and an update and refreshment is surely necessary. But as of now, it is a great option in the segment and offers a lot for the price paid.