2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Keith Buglewicz | Edmunds

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

$55,381

Prices based on sales in VA thru 6/29/26

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

Overview

Written by automotive expert Michael Cantu

Updated: 7/8/2026

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

by the Edmunds Experts

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 Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2025 Ford Mustang for July

The big story here is simple: shoppers are paying about $4,200 below MSRP on a 2025 Mustang, and remaining new inventory is sitting a very long time, which gives you real room to push for a deal.

The Edmunds Suggested Price is about 9% off MSRP across the lineup, and that discount is pretty consistent. Dark Horse stands out as the best value play at just over 9.3% off sticker. Start your offer below the Edmunds Suggested Price and make the dealer earn the sale.
There are 1,119 new Mustangs available nationwide. That is not huge supply, but these new vehicles are turning in a median 278 days versus 44 days for the average new model, so demand is clearly soft. GT Premium has the most new inventory, so it should be the easiest trim to negotiate.
There are no general customer rebates right now. If you are cross-shopping used, there are 1,301 used Mustangs nationwide, with used prices starting around $31,500.

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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%)

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.

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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	$320/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 no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2025 Ford Mustang

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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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

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

Learn more

What are the different models of Ford Mustang?

If you're interested in the Ford Mustang, the next question is, which Mustang model is right for you? Mustang variants include Dark Horse 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 6M). For a full list of Mustang models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$320/mo

$193/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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