carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.3L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 32 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,700 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 353 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $26,662–$35,491 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.5/10, the 2018 Ford Mustang earns a Recommended rating among the sportss we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Value at 7.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.2/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.9/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a sports you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.3/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $26,662–$35,491, 17 MPG, seating 4, the Ford Mustang sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. Value lands at 7.0/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2018 Ford Mustang as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Ford Mustang ranks #204 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 36% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $26,662 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 42%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Ford Mustang scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.5 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $33,490 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $33,490 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $32,515 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $31,539 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $30,564 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $29,588 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $28,613 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $27,637 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $26,662 | |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $25,686 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.4/10 | $24,711 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.3/10 | $23,735 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/supercharger 24/05/2018 · 18E035000 | Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may be manufactured incorrectly,… |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / Software 18/12/2017 · 17V814000 | Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the instrument cluster may not… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission 04/04/2018 · 18V213000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially… |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 04/09/2025 · 25V572000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2018 Ford Mustang's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #204 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 36% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2018 Ford Mustang starts at $26,662 and ranges up to $35,491 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.