This is likely the only year you'll be able to argue that the Ford Shelby GT350 is inferior to the regular Mustang. While the standard Mustang that it's based on gets a significant update this year that includes new styling and features, the GT350 stays the same. Luckily for us, we like the Shelby GT350 just the way it is.

The GT350 is a muscle car for the track day-obsessed. Yes, it shares some looks and interior parts with the standard Mustang, but the key differences are hidden from view. Under the hood is a non-turbocharged 5.2-liter V8. It revs up to 8,200 rpm, punches out 526 horsepower, and even has a flat-plane crankshaft that lends a distinctive warble to the engine's sound. From there, the GT350 has a race-tuned adaptive suspension, high-performance brakes, and all sorts of supportive powertrain upgrades that set it apart. It'll lay down thick stripes of rubber in a straight line, naturally, but the GT350 is most at home around a complicated racetrack or a winding mountain road.

Despite its focus on performance, the GT350 is comfortable and relatively quiet (when your right foot isn't planted on the floor), and it could easily serve as a daily driver. Well-rounded and massively entertaining, the GT350 is definitely our idea of the ultimate Mustang.

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 configurations

The 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 is a high-performance version of the Mustang coupe. There are two trim levels: the base GT350 and the race-focused GT350R. Essentially, the GT350 is the track-day version of a Mustang and, as such, it has many performance features that you won't see on a standard rental Mustang.

Standard equipment for the base GT350 includes a 5.2-liter V8 (526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed manual transmission, 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers and heavy-duty springs, Brembo brakes, a Torsen rear differential (with 3.73 gearing), a front-suspension tower brace, three powertrain coolers (oil, differential and transmission), adjustable drive settings, xenon headlights, a rear spoiler and diffuser, and keyless ignition and entry.

Inside, you'll find manually adjustable Recaro front seats with simulated suede inserts, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch center display, Track Apps performance telemetry, a rearview camera, phone and audio voice commands (Sync), smartphone app integration, and a six-speaker sound system with two USB ports.

Opting for the Electronics package equips the GT350 with dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity), a navigation system, and a nine-speaker audio system with satellite radio. The Convenience package adds leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, six-way power-adjustable sport front seats with power lumbar for the driver, and heating and ventilation for the front seats.

The GT350R gets most of the GT350's standard equipment, plus 19-inch carbon-fiber wheels (with special Michelin tires), revised suspension tuning and aerodynamic body enhancements (front chin splitter and carbon-fiber rear wing, most notably). The GT350R comes without the air conditioning, sound system, floor mats, rear seat, rearview camera, Sync system and tire inflation kit. To get those features back, Ford offers the R-Electronics package, which puts almost all of it back in the car along with the dual-zone climate control, nine-speaker sound system, and the previously mentioned 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 (5.2L V8 | six-speed manual | RWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Ford Shelby GT350 has received only minor revisions such as the addition of the track suspension as standard equipment (our test car was equipped with that option) and the introduction of some additional available options. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Ford Shelby GT350.

Driving

9.0

Ford has every right to be proud of this car. It's well-rounded, well-mannered and well-equipped enough to handle most anything you want it to. It's arguably the best Mustang ever built, from the motor to the handling to the sheer thrill it gives drivers.

Acceleration

10.0

This engine is impressively flexible. It may feel a bit soft under 3,500 rpm, but it never stumbles and is happy to be driven casually. Once you let it rip, there's nothing else like it. The power is astonishing. Addicting. And that sound!

Braking

9.0

The pedal is a bit firm and does require some effort. But these are extremely capable brakes that are easy to modulate around town. Challenging roads didn't induce any fade. Bonus: They've got massive visual appeal when parked.

Steering

8.0

It's accurate and responsive but largely devoid of feel. There are three selectable modes (Comfort, Normal and Sport) but the differences are minimal. The steering wheel feels very good in your hands, and the buttons do not get in the way.

Handling

9.0

Good, predictable grip but not as aggressive as you might expect. Well-mannered on all sorts of pavement. Superior turn-in is likely a consequence of the GT350's unique tires and alignment because it has the same steering rack as the GT.

Drivability

8.0

Tricky clutch take-up, but as with the brakes, you quickly get used to it. The engine is happy to lope through traffic and never feels high-strung or finicky. The gears are well-stacked, but the plasticky shift action could be better.

Comfort

9.0

Just as impressive as the 5.2-liter V8 are the comfort and level of refinement of the GT350. Over a variety of road surfaces, the Shelby remains composed and predictable and gives the driver plenty of confidence. The car is well within its rights to be a lot worse and still get away with it.

Seat comfort

9.0

Though the seats look similar to the Recaros available in the GT, the bolsters are shaped differently and don't interfere with gear selection as they can in the regular Mustang. The seats are very supportive and quite comfortable over long distances.

Ride comfort

9.5

If the engine wasn't so amazing, the adaptive suspension would steal the show. It's surprisingly comfortable given the car's performance focus. Normal and Sport modes are suitable for just about any road condition. Body control is excellent. Even Track mode isn't punishing.

Noise & vibration

8.5

The cabin is surprisingly quiet, especially for a car with frameless windows and aggressive tires. In the default exhaust mode, the V8 keeps to itself, with only a hint of resonance around 1,800 rpm. No buzzes or rattles.

Climate control

7.5

The single-zone climate control system is shared with the standard Mustang. It's straightforward and efficient and keeps up even when you're driving hard.

Interior

8.0

Thankfully the GT350 doesn't deviate too much from the standard Mustang's interior layout. Though some shortcomings remain, the Recaro seats, straightforward instrumentation and simulated suede-accented steering wheel help keep the interior from getting in the way of a good time.

Ease of use

7.5

Most controls are familiar Mustang pieces, but the base radio and media interface is incongruously low-buck. It's a nod to austerity (the larger touchscreen is optional), but with too many buttons, some of them unlabeled, it's the low point of the interior.

Getting in/getting out

6.5

As aggressive and supportive as the Recaro seats are, they are relatively easy to get in and out of. The long doors can make it easy but can also be a hassle in a confined space. Access to the rear seat is laughable, as is the legroom.

Driving position

9.0

The manually adjustable Recaros are superb and offer more than adequate support for most people. The steering wheel position and spoke layout are excellent. It's comfortable and easy to drive in a relaxed or aggressive manner.

Roominess

7.0

Interior space has not been compromised in the name of performance. There's adequate headroom and shoulder room for two adults, but some might find the center console a bit intrusive. The rear seats should be considered as storage.

Visibility

7.5

Aided by a lower-profile hood, the GT350 has decent outward visibility, especially for the segment. The rear quarter windows are appreciated even though they are small. The tiny rearview camera display is disappointing.

Quality

7.5

With the exception of the base multimedia interface, fit and finish is fairly good. Cheap-feeling plastics can be found, but most of the control surfaces feel appropriate, the shift knob being the only real exception. No squeaks or rattles.

Utility

7.5

No one's going to buy a GT350 based on its ability to carry lumber and Big Gulps, but the Shelby retains every bit of a standard Mustang's practicality. You might have to declutter to find room for your personal effects, but the usable trunk makes the GT350 an everyday-driver proposition.

Small-item storage

7.0

There's not a ton of space for small items outside of the center console and cupholders. The door pockets are on the small and shallow side.

Cargo space

7.5

Even with the slightly high liftover, both trunk access and cargo space are decent for the class. And the GT350 retains split and folding rear seatbacks, which give it even more flexibility and practicality.

Technology

6.0

Multimedia and integrated technology were never the highest priorities of the GT350. Our car's lackluster performance in this area can be cured by adding the Electronic package.

Audio & navigation

6.0

This GT350 came with the base audio system, which lacks navigation and the 8-inch LCD touchscreen. Though the sound quality is adequate, this base system looks low-rent, especially in a vehicle of this price.

Smartphone integration

6.0

Phone integration is fairly straightforward with both Apple and Android phones, but nothing special. The optional Electronic package would make technology integration easier and involve less guesswork.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350.

Overall Consumer Rating

5.04 reviews

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5(100%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

Most helpful consumer reviews

Amazing Car at Any Price

Jeff W,05/21/2018

Purchased a 2018 GT350 and couldn’t be happier. I’ve owned many high end sports cars, mostly Vettes and 911s, and tired of being a gymnast to get in and out of them, especially the C7 Vettes. Shopped for a replacement for my C7Z06 and looked at the Ford. While interior quality is high despite the liberal use of hard plastics, the build quality is far superior to the Corvettes.

Voo Doo love

Glen,01/02/2018

This is a great performance car. Fantastic to drive, attracts a lot of attention.

Shelby Cobra !!

paul lewis,08/28/2018

very fast. sounds great. only negative is the front end scrapes on almost all driveways

The engine is the best Ford ever build.

Tung pham,10/08/2018

Go get this car ,it’s awesome car.

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Features & Specs

MSRP

$55,940

MPG

14 city / 21 hwy

Seats 4

6-speed manual

Gas

526 hp @ 7500 rpm

MSRP

$63,440

MPG

14 city / 21 hwy

Seats 2

6-speed manual

Gas

526 hp @ 7500 rpm

See all 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe features & specs

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Shelby GT350 safety features:

Rearview Camera: Helps you navigate into tight parking spots and avoid collisions when backing out of spots in crowded parking lots.
Ford MyKey: Allows the owner to set secondary-driver parameters and limits for teen and valet drivers.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.3%

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More about the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350

Yes, the Shelby GT350 is a Mustang — but to group it with the same Mustang you'd find in a rental fleet is to miss the point. The GT350 has the heart of a racing car, with a meticulously engineered engine and a brilliant suspension. Let's call it the ultimate Mustang.

One key element that sets the GT350 apart from ordinary Stangs is the 5.2-liter V8, which features a flat-plane crankshaft and lots of voodoo technology. This race-ready engine revs to a stratospheric 8,200 rpm, with a soundtrack like a mechanical aria. Output of this screamer is 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet, and a six-speed manual is the only transmission choice. This engine is built to survive life on a racetrack, with coolers for the engine oil, transmission and differential to keep it going lap after lap. But what impresses us most about the engine is how docile it is — the GT350 is easy to drive in city traffic.

The Shelby GT350 is just as impressive from the underside. The GT350 gets a long list of enhancements over the standard Mustang, including magnetorheological shock absorbers (which are filled with a fluid that thickens when a magnetic force is applied, allowing near-instant changes in damping stiffness), big Brembo brakes and a lowered suspension. And yet once again, for all that race-ready equipment, the GT350 poses no major problems when driven on the street.

And it's the dual nature that makes the GT350 so special. Normally, a good racing car has to be trailered to the track. The GT350 is one of the few cars you can drive to the track, change the tires, kick a little Corvette butt, then — provided you didn't crash it — put the street shoes back on and drive it home. Even if you don't race, the GT350 is a serious grin-generator: Running the engine to redline is a heavenly experience, and the suspension grips hard in the curves and dismisses bumps and pavement irregularities with nary a twitch.

Ford sells the Shelby GT350 in two models. The standard car is equipped for daily driving, and it offers some luxury-oriented comfort and convenience features as options. The R model is intended for track use, with a few key items (air conditioning, stereo, back seat) removed in order to save weight, though they can be added back in as part of an option package. Which to buy? Edmunds can help find the perfect 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 for you.

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe Overview

The 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe is offered in the following styles: 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M), and R 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M).

What do people think of the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 Shelby GT350 Coupe 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 Shelby GT350 Coupe.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 Shelby GT350 Coupe featuring deep dives into trim levels including Base, R, etc. with careful analysis around pricing, features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving and performance. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Read our full review of the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe here.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What's a good price for a New 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe?

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M)

The 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $56,840. The average price paid for a new 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M) is trending $1,500 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $1,500 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$55,340.

The average savings for the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M) is2.6% below the MSRP.

Available Inventory:

We are showing 9 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.

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2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe Listings and Inventory

There are currently 24 new 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupes listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $58,140 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of used car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap used cars for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $3,029 on a new, used or CPO 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe available from a dealership near you.

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Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe and all available trim types: R, Base. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.

Should I lease or buy a 2018 Ford Shelby GT350?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe

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2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe pricing

Which Shelby GT350 does Edmunds recommend?

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 configurations

Trim tested

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Most helpful consumer reviews

Features & Specs

Safety

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2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe Overview

What do people think of the 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe?

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Our Review Process

What's a good price for a New 2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe?

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe 2dr Coupe (5.2L 8cyl 6M)

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