When the sixth generation Ford The Mustang debuted in 2013, immediately attracting attention for its most affordable version: the one with a 2.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It was the first mass-produced Mustang with a turbo inline-four, making it one of the most affordable muscle cars in the US.
However, the idea of an inline four in a muscle car like the Ford Mustang disappointed many purists, for whom a muscle car shouldn’t have anything below eight cylinders.
However, despite having an unconventional engine for a muscle car, more than 53 percent of Mustang owners opted for the EcoBoost. This shows that the four-cylinder bet paid off for Ford, despite not being one of the most powerful versions of the Mustang.
But still, the question remains: Is the EcoBoost Mustang a muscle car? We take a closer look at the most affordable version of Ford’s iconic muscle car and tell you why it deserves to be called a ‘real muscle car’.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost keeps the thrill factor high
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost got its 2.3-liter turbocharged engine from the now-defunct Focus RS, widely regarded as one of the best hot hatches ever sold in the US. The Mustang EcoBoost’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 310 hp and 350 lb-ft. However, with the optional High Performance package, power rises to 332bhp, almost matching the Focus RS’s claims with the same engine.
The Ford Mustang’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine was already considered good for its low-end grunt. With the optional High Performance package, it’s good enough for spirited driving at higher RPMs.
Much of the power is available in the 2,500-5,300 rpm range, making it much more manageable at lower RPMs than the Coyote V8. While the EcoBoost misses out on the deep rumble of the Coyote V8, the optional active valve performance exhaust is plenty loud to please your ears.
The Mustang EcoBoost is fast enough for drag strips
With nearly 100 hp less than the Mustang GT, you might think the Ford Mustang’s EcoBoost engine isn’t exciting enough to do the pony justice. However, the Mustang EcoBoost claims to reach 60 mph from a standstill in less than five seconds with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 4.5 seconds with the 10-speed automatic.
Compare those acceleration numbers to the Mustang with the Coyote V8, the Mustang EcoBoost is only half a second slower. So, if you’re thinking of taking the Mustang EcoBoost to a flat drag strip and testing its acceleration numbers, you won’t be disappointed.
Yes, the Mustang EcoBoost might not be as happy as the Mustang GT, and you might think the former lacks the drama of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8. However, with the raised suspension and 19-inch tires available in the optional High Performance package, the Mustang EcoBoost is every bit as good as the GT when it comes to handling.
The Mustang EcoBoost retains the Pony Car look
Ford is one of the few automakers that has evolved gracefully muscle cars over time, leaving both purists and young fanboys happy with their design languages. The Mustang is one of those cars that retains the traditional virtues of a muscle car.
Traditionally, a muscle car is defined by its long hood and a rumbling V8 engine under which it channels power to the rear wheels. The Mustang EcoBoost loses one of those virtues, as it has a turbocharged inline-four instead of the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8. However, it retains the other elements that give it the feel and look of a true American muscle car.
Another aspect that makes us believe the Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a muscle car lover’s delight is its choice of transmissions. Like the V8-powered Mustang GT, the turbo Mustang is available with 6-speed manual and 10-speed automatic gearbox options. At a time when other automakers are ditching manuals for their sporty DCTs, the Mustang, even in EcoBoost trim, offers pure stick-shift joy.
Does the 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine live up to the Mustang name?
Ford raised a lot of eyebrows when it released the Mustang EcoBoost, as many people thought a turbocharged four-cylinder engine didn’t fit the Mustang nameplate. Still, better performing than the now-discontinued 3.7-liter Cyclone V6 and not that far behind the Coyote V8, the EcoBoost turned out to be an absolute gem.
For those who thought the EcoBoost Mustang was uninspiring and lacked muscle car charisma, Ford spiced things up by offering optional packages. With the extra performance-enhancing goodies, the Mustang EcoBoost feels just as good as any traditional muscle car for road-track antics. Some might still think it misses out on the power of a V8, but the Mustang inline-four with the Performance Package can be just as good a car as the GT, if not better.
