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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 | 468 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.
The 2026 Ford Mustang is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — 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 7.7/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $33,490–$41,183, 19 MPG, seating 4, the Ford Mustang sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. At 7.7/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 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 2026 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 →
Across the Mustang model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $33,490 | |
| 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 | 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.
| Engine 01/12/2025 · 25V828000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak. |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Hard parts internal/mechanical 31/03/2026 · 26V205000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
