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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 5.0L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 15 / 24 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 480 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $31,539–$36,848 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2023 Ford Mustang is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.1/10, while Reliability at 7.3/10 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: 7.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — 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: 9.1/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $31,539–$36,848, 22 MPG, seating 4, the Ford Mustang sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2023 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 2023 Ford Mustang ranks #154 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 52% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $31,539 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 32%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Ford Mustang scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.7 — 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 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $31,539 | |
| 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 | 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.
| Power train / Automatic transmission 10/02/2023 · 23V070000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from… |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / Body control module/bcm 27/10/2023 · 23V727000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Mustang vehicles. The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal… |
| Steering / Electric power assist system 28/06/2024 · 24V493000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn side to side against the driver's intentions. |
| Steering / Electric power assist system 14/02/2025 · 25V096000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Mustang vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-493. The secondary steering torque sensor may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the steering wheel to turn… |
| Back over prevention / Software 27/06/2025 · 25V442000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.