Six decades in, the iconic Ford Mustang shows no signs of slowing down, having just ushered in the seventh iteration last year. For open-air fun that won’t break the bank, enthusiasts can’t go wrong with the EcoBoost Convertible.
“Investing in another generation of Mustang is a big statement at a time when many of our competitors are exiting the business of internal combustion vehicles,” says Ford CEO Jim Farley, in an announcement when the model was first announced.
“Ford, however, is turbocharging its ICE growth plan, adding connected technology, opinionated derivatives, and hybrid options to our most profitable and popular cars–all in the Ford Blue family–on top of investing $50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026.”
For fans of the outgoing product, the good news is that designers have stuck with a familiar formula but remixed it a little while throwing in some heritage flair. The grille is squarer than before, reminiscent of the original 1960s example. The slim Tri-Bar LED headlamps look tough and match the rear vertical taillights nicely. Overall, the shape just looks a tad sleeker and more chiseled, and dimensions remain nearly identical to the former except for a bit of extra width.
Looking best when the one-touch, fully lined and insulated fabric roof is stowed, there is still decent trunk space when driving top-down. No less than 11 colors are available on the latest pony car, two of them first-timers: the bright Yellow Splash and the cool greyish Vapor Blue that coated DARPAN’s press loaner.
The biggest changes take place in the interior. Known for plenty of physical switches and dials over the years—which, full disclosure, I miss—the dash is now dominated by a 13.2-inch infotainment display. There’s still a single row of buttons for things like hazards and windshield defrost; however, most onboard controls are taken care of on the big screen. The analog speedo is also swapped for a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. The tech upgrade is nice, though it leaves the space feeling a little modern-day generic.
Still utilizing a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, the EcoBoost mill has been reworked to deliver a modest additional 5 horsepower. Sadly, a manual transmission option is no longer offered (GT only), and instead, the rear wheels are spun via a 10-speed automatic transmission. If you opt for the base model, such as the one we drove, be aware that there are no steering wheel paddle shifters installed.
I was surprised at how throaty the four-banger ‘Stang sounded when the dynamic exhaust (+$1,495) is equipped. Your neighbors will hear you coming from blocks away, unless you turn on the silent mode, reducing the roar to a purr that’s great for cold, early morning starts. The car was plenty of fun to drive, even in an entry-level configuration.
To spice things up, a $6,500 High Performance Package bundles several goodies, including a Torsen limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels, gunmetal alloy wheels shod in 255/40/ZR19 rubber, drift brake, Brembo brakes, aforementioned paddle shifters, enhanced suspension system, and more.
The 2025 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible starts at MSRP $48,825.
Highlights (Base)
MSRP: $48,825
Motor: 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Horsepower: 315 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 350 @ 3,000 rpm
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Layout: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 12.1 L/100 km mixed city/highway (Observed)