Used 2020 Ford Mustang BULLITT

Decked out in classic Dark Highland Green paint and equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, our 2019 Mustang Bullitt test car had all the right boxes checked. However, the manual transmission's gearing has grown taller during this generation, depriving stick-shift V8 Mustangs of the eager, revvy feel they once had. To wit, our departed long-term 2015 Mustang GT manual featured a 7,000-rpm redline and a 3.73 final-drive ratio, which had it hitting redline in second gear at 61 mph. The 2019 Bullitt manual has the same 3.73 final drive and 400 more revs on the counter thanks to the slightly updated V8, so you'd think second would top out in the mid-60s somewhere — but instead, you're approaching 80 mph by the time you need to grab third. That means the gearbox ratios are a lot taller than they were a few years ago, which in turn explains why the new car doesn't have the same ferocious energy when you're running through the gears.

But would it make a difference at our test track? Here's another factor to keep in mind — per the track notes, "1-2-3-4 synchros were lunched. Clutch was DOA." Not the best-case scenario all around, then. Nonetheless, until we can borrow a Bullitt that's less broken, we're bringing you all of our performance numbers on this particular example, plus exclusive driving impressions from the best testing crew in the business.

For reference, when we tested a manual-transmission 2019 Mustang GT convertible with no reported transmission or clutch issues, we clocked it at 5.0 seconds to 60 and 13.0 seconds at 111.4 mph in the quarter-mile. That car weighed about 150 pounds more and is rated at 460 horsepower to the Bullitt's 480 hp. The specifications are close, but a healthy Bullitt should edge out a GT convertible every time.

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Performance Testing Results

Price as tested: $52,885
Date of test: 3/11/2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Odometer: 8,738
Powertrain: 5.0L V8 | 6-Speed Manual | RWD
Horsepower: 480 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 420 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm

2019 Mustang Bullitt Acceleration

"Only the first run seemed to be without any clutch issues, but the third- and fourth-gear synchros were already done for. There's a decent amount of traction from a stop and almost no need to feather the throttle all the way through first gear. Grabbing second broke the tires loose but the car stayed straight — not all V8 coupes do — and let me focus on the tach. This thing sounds amazeballs, especially over 7k rpm. But the gearing is way, way too tall. Second went well over 70 miles an hour and once I crunched into third, I could use that gear through the quarter mile. I think it goes to 115? Silly. But it's probably for the best, as any shift into fourth got another nasty crunch and highlighted a slipping clutch that would cause the revs to hang. That started costing 3-4 mph on each run. Poor car has had a hard life."

2019 Mustang Bullitt Braking

"Lots of confidence and the brakes felt stronger than the numbers reflect. Maybe that's down to the cool track surface temperatures and/or a bit of dust from resurfacing. Excellent pedal feel, but it takes a strong press to keep it down and fight against the ABS. Great seats keep you from sliding forward. Not much dive, but just enough to remind you how hard you're stopping. No fade but some brake stink, for sure."

2019 Mustang Bullitt Handling

"Pilot Sport 4S tires are amazing. There's tons of grip, but their grip is predictable and the loss of it feels safe and gradual. The front washes out first, but the car never felt nose-heavy. Decent visibility, too. The steering doesn't feel super-accurate but it's quick to react, and the car can be placed with some precision. Nicely responsive to throttle inputs. The throttle itself is well-calibrated to be smooth and allows for minor inputs, even in Track mode. Multi-mode steering doesn't feel remarkably different from one to the next, but Track is definitely stiffer than Comfort. Sport and Track limit body roll just a bit more but keep the ride civil — it's never bouncy and stupid. Even total lifts off the throttle at the end of the run saw the rear tires stay in line. Definitely lacks really high-limit handling but it's still fun, easy and capable."

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Vehicle Details

Drivetrain
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine Type: Conventional Gasoline                                                                 
Engine Configuration: V8                                                              
Engine Displacement (liters): 5.0                                                             
Engine Induction Type: Naturally Aspirated                          
Indicated Redline: 7,400                                                               
Actual Redline (rev limit): 7,400                                                               
Fuel Type: 91 octane                                                                    
Transmission Type: Manual                                                                    
Transmission Speeds: 6
Paddle Shifters: No                                                            
Downshift Rev Match/Throttle Blip: Yes                                              
Holds Gears at Rev Limiter: N/A  

Curb Weight and Weight Distribution
Curb weight as tested (lbs): 3,853                                                           
Weight L/F (lbs): 996                                                                    
Weight L/R (lbs): 910                                                                    
Weight R/F (lbs): 1,093                                                                 
Weight R/R (lbs): 854                                                                   
Weight distribution, front (%): 54.2                                                           

Brakes
ABS Type: Full ABS                                                           
Brake Rotor Type - Front: 1-Piece Disc                                         
Brake Rotor (other) - Front: Vented                                                                   
Brake Caliper Type - Front: Fixed                                                            
Brake Pistons - Front: 6                                                                
Brake Rotor Type - Rear: 1-Piece Disc                                                              
Brake Rotor (other) - Rear: Vented                                                                    
Brake Caliper Type - Rear: Sliding                                                          
Brake Pistons - Rear: 1                                                                 
Parking Brake: Hand                            

Tires
Tire pressure spec - Front: 32                                                                 
Tire pressure spec - Rear: 32                                                                  
Tire Make: Michelin                                                            
Tire Model: Pilot Sport 4S                                                             
Tire Tread: Asymmetrical                                                              
Tire Type: Regular                                                              
Tire Season: Summer                                                                   
Tire Size (sidewall) - Front: 255/40 ZR19 100Y                                      
Tire Size (sidewall) - Rear: 275/40 ZR19 105Y                                                
Spare Tire Type: Sealant plus inflator                                                                
Tire Treadwear Rating: 300                                                                    
Tire Temperature Rating: A                                                                     
Tire Traction Rating: AA    

About the Driver
Kurt is involved with performance testing, vehicle evaluation and writing reviews. Fourteen-year-old Kurt would be pretty stoked — current Kurt is pretty stoked, too.