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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 | 354 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $28,613–$36,560 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Ford Mustang is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Technology at 7.1/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.9/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $28,613–$36,560, 19 MPG, seating 4, the Ford Mustang sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Ford Mustang will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.
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 2020 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 $28,613 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 38%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Ford Mustang scores 7.4/10 — within striking distance of the 2020'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 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $28,613 | |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $27,637 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $26,662 | Read review → |
| 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.
| Forward collision avoidance / sensing system / camera 27/05/2020 · 20V306000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped a forward-looking camera. The camera may be misaligned to the vehicle and features that are dependent on the camera such as Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Pedals and linkages 23/09/2020 · 20V573000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping. |
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Gear position indication (prndl) 08/05/2020 · 20V263000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 23/09/2020 · 20V575000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 27/05/2022 · 22V382000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera,… |
Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2020 Ford Mustang's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
8 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 2020 Ford Mustang starts at $28,613 and ranges up to $36,560 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/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.