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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 | 16 / 24 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 467 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $33,490–$41,183 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Ford Mustang at 7.8/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, 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. We score reliability at 7.3/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.7/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.9/10. The Ford Mustang delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.7/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $33,490–$41,183, 24 MPG, seating 4, the Ford Mustang sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. The 7.7/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Ford Mustang is a solid, well-rounded sports that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2025 Ford Mustang ranks #121 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $33,490 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 27%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Ford Mustang scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.8 — 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 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $33,490 | |
| 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 | 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 / Fluid/lubricant / Valves/valve body 14/03/2025 · 25V164000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward… |
|---|---|
| Exterior lighting / Lighting control module 08/08/2025 · 25V519000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang Mach E, and Mustang vehicles. The LED Driver Modules may contain a burnt diode, which can cause the low-beam and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights, front position… |
| Exterior lighting 22/08/2025 · 25V546000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mustang, and Mustang GTD vehicles. Water may enter the body control module and cause a loss of communication with the exterior lighting, including the license plate light, side marker, and tail… |
| Engine and engine cooling / Exhaust system / Emission control / Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) 03/03/2026 · 26V122000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2025 Ford Mustang's reliability 7.3/10 — 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 7.8/10 overall, ranking #121 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 62% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Ford Mustang starts at $33,490 and ranges up to $41,183 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sportss at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
