2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Price Range: $63,080

Keith Buglewicz

Very Good

The 2025 Mustang Dark Horse is capable of remarkable handling and impressive braking provided you equip it the right way. With a 500-horsepower V8 and a tech-filled interior, the Dark Horse is an impressive machine, though it comes with a steep asking price.Read full review

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$58,007

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in AL thru 9/21/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in USA.

Pros

Great-sounding V8 engine
Both manual and automatic transmissions work well on road and track
Handling package adds outrageous amounts of grip
Excellent ride quality for the performance on tap

Cons

Fairly expensive for a Mustang
Interior fit and finish can feel downmarket
Heavy for a sports car

What's new

Race car-inspired Mustang GTD will feature 800 hp and cost over $300K
No other significant changes for 2025
Part of the seventh Mustang generation introduced for 2024

Overview

Written by automotive expert Michael Cantu

Updated: 9/22/2026

With the discontinuation of both the Dodge Challenger and the Chevrolet Camaro, it's fair to say the Ford Mustang is the last muscle car standing. Available with a turbocharged four-cylinder or the traditional 5.0-liter V8, the Mustang can be had in a broad array of trim levels for a wide variety of buyers. For 2025, Ford adds a new level of Mustang to the selection: the GTD. Drawing heavy inspiration from its Mustang GT3 race car sibling, the GTD is packed with race car goodies such as a pushrod-actuated suspension, adjustable dampers and a rear transaxle (this combines the transmission and rear differential into one compact unit). Oh, and it also features a racetrack-scorching supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine with upward of 800 horsepower for good measure.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

Very Good

7.1

out of 10

We drove the 2025 Ford Mustang on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

7.7/10

How does it drive? The Dark Horse doesn't significantly outpace the standard GT in a straight line. In our testing, it sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds — just 0.2 second quicker than the manual transmission GT we tested. But the Dark Horse was built for track days, not drag races. With the optional Handling package and sticky Pirelli tires, the Dark Horse pulled an impressive 1.12 g on the skidpad. Braking performance is also elite, stopping from 60 mph in just 94 feet, rivaling the Porsche 911 GT3 and C7 Corvette ZR1. Our only gripe is with the steering, which needs more feel and feedback through the wheel.

Off the track, the Dark Horse is as easy to drive as a standard Mustang GT. The six-speed manual shifts with positive, direct action and makes a great match for the Dark Horse's character. And with the standard adaptive dampers, the Dark Horse delivers a fairly smooth ride, even given its enormous performance.

Visibility over the largely flat hood is good, but the thick windshield pillars can block the view on tighter roads. Most of the driver aids worked well, but the lane keeping system struggled to keep the Mustang centered, often ping-ponging between lane lines.

Comfort

6.6/10

How comfortable is it? The Dark Horse's standard seats are comfortable enough and make it easy to find driving positions that work for both road and track driving. Enthusiasts might opt for the sporty Recaro seats, which offer thick bolsters for performance driving, but they make entry and exit tricky without sliding back the seat. The long doors can make it equally difficult to get in and out in tight parking spaces. Stick with the standard seats if you're a bigger driver or simply want heated and ventilated options. Forget about using the cramped rear seats for all but short trips. And while there are provisions for child car seats in back — something you won't find in Nissan Z or Toyota Supra rivals — they will be a struggle to install.

Like the stiffer ride, enthusiasts won't mind the elevated noise from the wide tires, but the rest of the cabin is fairly well insulated. The standard exhaust sounds just fine, but the optional active exhaust system gives the Mustang a bit more attitude.

Fans of buttons and dials will be disappointed by the Mustang's fully digital controls. Most of the climate controls sit at the bottom of the touchscreen, while some like fan speed require a deeper menu dive.

In-cabin tech

7.6/10

How’s the tech? Facing the driver is a 12.4-inch digital instrument panel joined to a 13.2-inch touchscreen powered by Ford's Sync 4 system. The instrument panel has a multitude of configurations, while the touchscreen is easy to read, fast-acting and features a menu structure that's relatively straightforward. We found the navigation system quick and efficient.

The Dark Horse's standard 12-speaker B&O audio system is less impressive. It can crank out decent volume but lacks nuance once you turn it up. Of course, there's always the 5.0-liter V8 to listen to. A wireless charging pad is available, and there's an assortment of USB charging ports within easy reach.

Storage & cargo

6.8/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Dark Horse is totally capable of being a daily driver and errand runner. Though the trunk opening is a little oddly shaped, the fastback's 13.5-cubic-foot space is decently sized for a performance coupe. And it makes the most of its capacity, easily holding golf bags or suitcases. It might not have the outright space of the Toyota GR Supra and Nissan Z, both hatchbacks, but the Mustang's traditional trunk keeps your belongings better isolated and more secure.

Interior storage space has enough room for sunglasses, a phone and drinks. Everything stays secure during spirited driving.

Value

5.4/10

Is it 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 expensive. As optioned, our Dark Horse Premium stickered at $73,650, more expensive than a top-of-the-line Toyota GR Supra or Nissan Z Nismo and right on par with a BMW M2. While we know the Dark Horse is all about performance, its interior materials just aren't up to snuff for the price.

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.

MPG

3/10

How’s the fuel economy? With an EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (14 city/22 highway) the Dark Horse is far from fuel-efficient. Over our 115-mile evaluation loop, we extracted 18 mpg from the 500-horsepower V8. It's worth noting that the 10-speed automatic transmission and six-speed manual have identical EPA estimates. As with any sports car, if you drive it with any vigor, expect to get fuel economy in the low teens.

X factor

10/10

If you're looking for a very well-sorted, very fast Mustang and have zero interest in adding any aftermarket parts, 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.

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 available today, and the noise from that 5.0-liter V8, and you've got an instant classic on your hands.

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2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse pricing in Birmingham, AL

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Deals & Buying Tips for the 2025 Ford Mustang for October

Avg Lease Payment$716

Mustang discounts are unusually strong right now, with buyers paying about $5,100 under sticker on average even before financing or lease math enters the picture.

You can save about $5,100 total on a new 2025 Mustang, since buyers are already paying roughly that much below MSRP and there are no general customer cash rebates to stack on top. Trim discounts are pretty consistent at around 10% to 11% off, but the Dark Horse stands out slightly at about 11.4% off MSRP.
New inventory is fairly tight at 812 vehicles nationwide for a 2025 model, so no fresh wave of cars is coming. GT Premium models are easiest to find with 415 new vehicles, while GT and Dark Horse stock is much thinner, so be flexible on color and options.
Remaining new inventory is moving very slowly at a median 338 days to turn, far above the 36-day market average for new vehicles. That supports firmer discount asks, and if you lease, expect around $716 a month with about $6,400 due at signing.

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2025 Ford Mustang trim level differences

The 2025 Ford Mustang is available as both a coupe and convertible and in five versions: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium and Dark Horse. Powering the Mustang EcoBoost is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (315 horsepower, 350 lb-ft of torque) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. No manual transmission is offered for the EcoBoost. The Mustang GT uses a 5.0-liter V8 engine (480 hp, 415 lb-ft) and offers the choice between a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the Dark Horse, which is available as a coupe only, uses a more powerful version of the GT's 5.0-liter V8 engine (500 hp, 418 lb-ft) and offers a 10-speed automatic or an uprated six-speed manual transmission. All Mustangs are rear-wheel-drive. Compare the 2025 Ford Mustang trim levels in-depth.

Which Mustang trim does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend the GT version of the Ford Mustang if it fits your budget. The EcoBoost turbo-four engine is strong, but it doesn't compare to the GT's V8. The 5.0-liter powerplant churns out 480 horsepower (165 more hp than the EcoBoost) while unleashing a throaty soundtrack. And unlike the EcoBoost engine, the V8 can be paired with the 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. For additional performance, make sure to get the GT Performance package.

Competitors to consider

The BMW 2 Series offers a back seat and a useful trunk as well as a high-performance version to keep up with the Mustang GT. There's also the Toyota GR Supra and Nissan Z, though both of these cars lack back seats and as much practicality as the Mustang. You might also consider waiting for the gas-powered version of the new Dodge Challenger. Check out our test team's thorough review of the Mustang in the Expert Rating.

Edmunds spotlight: V8 power for the win

Once the engine of choice for both enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike, the V8-powered car is now a fairly rare thing. But the Mustang continues to offer the tried-and-true powerplant and does so in three versions. In the GT a 5.0-liter V8 makes 480 hp, and in the high-performance Dark Horse it cranks out an even 500 hp. For 2025, the GTD offers a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 — similar to the engine in the much-missed GT500 — that will make a whopping 800-plus horsepower. As a bonus, Ford still offers a six-speed manual transmission for the GT and Dark Horse versions.

Ford Mustang Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

35 reviews

5(68%)

4(20%)

3(3%)

2(0%)

1(9%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Many owners love how fun, fast, and good-looking the car is, and they say it rides well with a nice interior and handy tech. But some owners report problems with build quality, the touchscreen and other electronics, and a few find the ride loud, rough, or the cabin too plain. A few also wish for better sound, more features, or less confusing controls.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 35 reviews of the Ford Mustang

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Most Helpful Owner Review

Fun

Kevin , 04/20/2025

2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M)

I love this car. It handles great runs great l love everything about it inside and out.

Helpful shopping links

2025 Ford Mustang videos

Edmunds U-Drags: Ford Mustang Dark Horse vs. Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing | Quarter Mile, Handling, More

Welcome back to Edmunds U-Drags, our series of down-and-back drag races that incorporate a standing quarter mile, handling, and a rolling start all in one race! In this episode, two American sports cars do battle as the Ford Mustang Dark Horse takes on the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.

2025 Ford Mustang Features & Specs

Type:

Dark Horse

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$63,080
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$342/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2025 Ford Mustang has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #23 out of 28 among Midsize Cars.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#23 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$503/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

0.84x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

15.9%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

Recalls

4 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 26V122000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 26S10
Manufactured from:: 2024-12-05 to 2025-05-12
Number of vehicles affected:: 47804
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Defect Consequence:: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed March 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

Recall Number:: 25V546000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25C43
Manufactured from:: 2022-09-07 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 105545
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mustang, and Mustang GTD vehicles. Water may enter the body control module and cause a loss of communication with the exterior lighting, including the license plate light, side marker, and tail lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Defect Consequence:: License plate, side marker, and tail lights that fail to illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and seal the body seams as necessary. Dealers will also inspect the body control module for corrosion and replace it, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed September 1, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available, anticipated first quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C43.

Recall Number:: 25V519000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25C39
Manufactured from:: 2025-01-02 to 2025-08-28
Number of vehicles affected:: 21765
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang Mach E, and Mustang vehicles. The LED Driver Modules may contain a burnt diode, which can cause the low-beam and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights, front position lights, and front turn signals to fail in the affected headlight. On Nautilus vehicles only, this condition may also cause the rear tail light, rear turn signal, and rear position light to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Defect Consequence:: Exterior lighting failure can reduce visibility for the driver and other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the LED Driver Modules, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 25, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C39.

Recall Number:: 25V164000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25S19
Manufactured from:: 2024-11-27 to 2025-02-04
Number of vehicles affected:: 269
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Defect Consequence:: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the Mustang include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	4 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	4 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	7.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested

Research other Mustang years

2026
2025
2024

FAQ

Is the Ford Mustang a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Mustang both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Mustang has 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Ford Mustang. Learn more

What's new in the 2025 Ford Mustang?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Ford Mustang:

Race car-inspired Mustang GTD will feature 800 hp and cost over $300K
No other significant changes for 2025
Part of the seventh Mustang generation introduced for 2024

Learn more

Is the Ford Mustang reliable?

To determine whether the Ford Mustang is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Mustang. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Mustang's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2025 Ford Mustang a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Ford Mustang is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Mustang and gave it a 7.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Mustang is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Ford Mustang?

The least-expensive 2025 Ford Mustang is the 2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $63,080.

Other versions include:

Dark Horse 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M) which starts at $63,080