2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

How does the Mustang Dark Horse drive? Somewhat disappointingly, the Dark Horse is not much quicker than the Mustang GT in a straight line. During our instrumented testing, our manual-equipped test car sprinted to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and raced down the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 111.6 mph. That's only 0.2 second quicker to 60 and essentially identical through the quarter mile than a manual transmission-equipped Mustang GT we tested earlier. But the Dark Horse wasn't built to win drag races — it was built for track days.

Our test car was equipped with the optional Handling package and, among other modifications, that means it was shod with the stickiest of Pirelli rubber. As a result, the Dark Horse delivered a hugely impressive 1.12 g on our skidpad, putting it firmly in the realm of more exotic and expensive sports cars. Braking numbers, too, were just shy of amazing. Stopping from 60 mph in just 94 feet, the Dark Horse is only out-stopped by the Porsche 911 GT3, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and the C7-generation Corvette ZR1.

Put it all together and the Dark Horse rewards the driver with loads of confidence and speed. The brakes resisted fade over numerous hard laps, while the Dark Horse's chassis and suspension modifications allowed drivers to fully exploit all the grip of the Pirelli Trofeo RS tires. We only wish the steering provided more feel and feedback through the wheel. In more relaxed driving situations, the Dark Horse is as benign and easy to drive as a standard Mustang GT. The six-speed manual transmission's shift action is positive, direct and a great match for the Dark Horse's character.

How comfortable is the Mustang Dark Horse? Thanks to its standard MagneRide adaptive dampers, the Dark Horse manages to deliver a fairly smooth ride even with its impressive performance potential. The optional Recaro sport seats are also pretty comfortable even considering their extra bolstering, though they lack the Mustang's otherwise available heating and ventilation functions.

Enthusiasts will likely have no problem with interior noise levels in the Dark Horse. There is tire and road noise from the wide tires, but the rest of the cabin is fairly well insulated. The various exhaust settings can be tailored from mild to wild, and we didn't encounter any droning over longer highway drives.

We're less keen on the Mustang's climate system design. The air vents don't offer enough adjustment or airflow, and some of the system's controls are touchscreen-based, which is inconvenient.

How’s the interior? Our test car had the optional Recaro front seats. Their thick bolsters can make it hard to get in and out without sliding the seat back. And, as expected, the Mustang's rear seats are cramped, especially when it comes to headroom, though they should work out OK for children on shorter trips. The Mustang's long doors can make it difficult to get in and out in tighter parking situations.

Whichever seats you choose, you will enjoy a driving position that works well for both road and track driving. Visibility over the largely flat hood is good, but the front roof pillars are thick and can block some of your view on tighter roads. The side mirrors are also too small for a car the size of a Mustang.

Once inside, the Dark Horse presents its occupants with a fully digital dashboard and a minimal assortment of buttons. Previously, the steering wheel in Mustangs has been overcrowded with controls so we're glad to see Ford has streamlined its layout. Most of the other functions and settings are accessible through the large digital infotainment screen. It can be a bit of a stretch for some drivers, but the screen is easy to read, fast-acting and fairly intuitive. The Mustang won't take most owners long to figure out.

How’s the storage? The Dark Horse maintains all the usability of a standard Mustang, making it totally capable of being a daily driver and errand runner. Though the opening is a little oddly shaped, the trunk makes the most of its capacity — 13.5 cubic feet, far more than the Camaro's 9.1 cubes — to hold golf bags or suitcases with ease. It's also more practical than the hatchback trunks of the Toyota GR Supra and Nissan Z.

Interior storage space is also identical to a standard Mustang's. You'll find enough room for sunglasses, a phone and drinks, and everything stays secure during spirited driving. Car seats can be accommodated, but you will likely struggle to fit them inside.

Is the Mustang Dark Horse a good value? This is the tricky bit for the Dark Horse. Unless you're in the market for a turn-key trackable Mustang, the Dark Horse's starting price of just over $60K is a little expensive. As optioned, our Dark Horse Premium stickered at $73,650. That's more expensive than a top-of-the-line Toyota GR Supra, Nissan Z Nismo and Chevy Camaro SS 1LE. While we know the Dark Horse is all about performance, its interior materials just aren't up to snuff for its price tag.

Warranties are fairly standard with bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage of three years/36,000 and five years/60,000 miles, respectively. Complimentary maintenance is not included but roadside assistance is covered for five years/60,000 miles.

If you're looking for a very well sorted and very fast Mustang and have zero interest in adding any aftermarket parts to do so, the Dark Horse is arguably the best Mustang. Brimming with attitude and capability, the Dark Horse still manages to be fairly comfortable and practical while you pass the time waiting for your next track day.

On the inside, the Mustang offers a much-needed update from previous generations and should satisfy the needs of more tech-savvy buyers without being overly difficult to use. Add one of the best six-speed manual transmissions on sale today and the noise from that 5.0-liter V8 and you've got an instant classic on your hands.