Used 2022 Ford Mustang

The 2022 Ford Mustang can still grip the imagination. It’s the only car Ford sells in the United States now. The rest of its portfolio consists of SUV/crossovers and pickups. The Mustang is a survivor because it’s always been more than just a car.

It’s part of the automotive culture. One of the great American coupes — or convertibles. Over the years and generations (now the sixth, which launched for 2015) the Mustang has evolved to stay the same. Well, retain the same appeal as a great-driving machine that’s so darn good-looking.

One thing to be aware of, though. A seventh generation is in the pipeline, quite possibly for the 2023 model year. But that may not matter, because anyone who buys a Mustang is acquiring an icon.

Two new Mustangs join the fray for 2022: the GT500 Heritage Edition and the EcoBoost Coastal Edition. The 760-horsepower GT500 Heritage Edition comes in an exclusive color — Brittany Blue with Wimbledon White stripes. Hand-painted stripes are available for an extra $12,140.

The GT500 Heritage Edition is available in “a limited run,” but the number has not been specified.

Note: The Mustang Mach-E all-electric crossover is a completely different animal and has its own review.

The base 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder provides a pleasant 310 horsepower, enough punch for those who want the Mustang primarily for its looks and vibe rather than ultimate driving thrills. That’s a perfectly valid approach.

If the budget allows, however, we recommend the High Performance Package, adding an uprated suspension and a 332-horsepower 2.3-liter engine. It’s a well-judged bundle that builds on the thrills while keeping the nose relatively light (not as much weight as a V8), so the steering feels wonderfully responsive.

Not that the V8 in the 2022 Mustang GT doesn’t have its own particular attractions, like the sound it makes when accelerating from standstill to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.

For those who would love a 760-horsepower Shelby GT500 but don’t have $75,000 or so to spend, the Mach 1 still has a muscular 470 horsepower, adaptive dampers, and many of the same chassis components as the GT500. If track-day warriors can’t get some impressive lap times out of a Mach 1, they should take up knitting.

Sitting in the back is the least fun anyone in a Mustang is going to have. But that’s par for the coupe and convertible courses. The only car in this class with any meaningful rear passenger space is the Dodge Challenger.

For those sitting up front, then, the Mustang’s cabin is generally pleasant. Some of the plastics seem cheap, but the overall arrangement works well enough. The cue ball on the Mach 1’s gear shifter is an especially nice touch.

Anyone thinking of ordering the special Recaro sport seats should know that they’re extremely snug and best suited to a few laps rather than a few road trips.

We’re glad blind-spot monitoring is standard because the actual blind spots impeding rear three-quarter vision (except for when the convertible’s roof is down, naturally) are substantial. But still not as bad as the Camaro.

The coupe has an extra dash of practicality with split/folding rear seats and a generous 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space. The convertible’s 11.4 cubic feet is also useful.

We all know what a Ford Mustang looks like and all have our own thoughts. So let’s get into the changes for 2022.

A Stealth Edition is available for the EcoBoost in Premium trim, adding various black exterior elements, including 19-inch alloy wheels. This level is also where the Coastal Limited Package is offered, adding a body-colored grille, fixed rear spoiler, side scoops, and a vinyl stripe.

The new Ice White Appearance Package includes white paint for the body, 19-inch alloy wheels with white-painted pockets, white rear spoiler, a white interior with white leather seating surfaces, and clear LED taillights.

Although it’s not new, the California Special package with the V8-powered 2022 Mustang GT (with things like a blacked-out grille, side stripes, and extra aerodynamic pieces) can now be paired with the GT Performance Package.

The lineup as a whole offers bigger alloy wheels, and several versions of the all-important stripes that just seem to be so right on a Mustang.

10-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
As much fun as a manual transmission can be, we know that an automatic will make the car easier to sell down the line. And this is a great auto, with 10 gears. It helps any engine it’s connected to stay in the sweet spot where the best power delivery happens.

V8 ENGINE
Admittedly, we really like the 332-horsepower 4-cylinder engine in the High Performance Package. But really, if we were going to go old-school and buy a Mustang before the world clicks over to whirring around in electric cars, it might as well have a V8 and sound awesome.

The most affordable Mustang is the EcoBoost Fastback, which translates to the coupe with the 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. It has 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/ignition, remote start/lock/unlock, LED headlights, LED taillights with sequential turn signals, manual air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

Several safety features are standard, such as forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance.

On the plus side, the infotainment system includes Wi-Fi, AppLink (which brings a kind of smartphone integration), and a TrackApps feature. On the minus side, the display measures a teeny 4.2 inches on the diagonal.

The GT puts a V8 into the Ford Mustang’s engine bay while adding larger brakes, LED fog lights, power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

With the EcoBoost and GT models, the 2022 Mustang also has Premium trim levels.

The EcoBoost comes with 18-inch alloys, heated/ventilated/power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear parking sensors.

An upgrade to the infotainment system brings an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, and voice-controlled navigation.

The GT Premium also gains puddle lamps, garage door opener, and real leather seating surfaces for the front seats.

Major options for the EcoBoost and GT models include the High Performance Package, torque-sensing (Torsen) limited-slip differential, sportier suspensions, adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, Pirelli summer tires, adaptive cruise control, sport exhaust, and a Black Accent package. Premium versions are eligible for a heated steering wheel, 20-inch alloys, Recaro sport front seats, Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker audio system, plus the new Coastal, Stealth and Ice White exterior packages.

The Mach 1 has its own set of standard features such as adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, sport exhaust, Torsen differential, model-specific aerodynamic additions, and a 12-inch driver information display. It’s also eligible for Recaro sport seats, upgraded infotainment features, and the B&O audio system.

The Shelby GT500 has its special place at the top of the Mustang hierarchy with track-worthy components, a supercharged V8, and optional wheels made of carbon fiber.

It’s the 21st century, so there’s a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in base versions of the 2022 Mustang. It makes a respectable 310 horsepower from 2.3 liters of displacement, or 332 horsepower with the High Performance Package. Despite having turbo in the mix, Ford says this engine is fine with regular gasoline.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with a 10-speed automatic on the options list. Rear-wheel drive is the sole configuration in any new Mustang.

Then again, the Mustang is an American treasure and therefore deserves the thump of a V8. The 2022 Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter unit developing 450 horsepower. Once again, the transmission is a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 10-speed automatic. There isn’t a convertible Mustang GT with a manual transmission/V8 combination.

Taking V8 power to the next level is the Mustang Mach 1, whose 5.0-liter engine generates 470 horsepower. The usual manual/auto transmission offerings apply.

Both the GT and Mach 1 engines have reduced output this year, each one losing 10 horsepower and 10 lb-ft of torque.

After these naturally aspirated 8-cylinder beauties running on regular gasoline, the Shelby GT500 installs a supercharger to its 5.2-liter V8 for a truly awesome output of 760 horsepower achieved with premium gasoline. The transmission here is a 7-speed automated unit.

The fuel-economy figures for the 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 are from 2021; they are not expected to change for 2022.

2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4
310 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
332 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (High Performance Package)
350 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg (manual), 22/32 mpg (automatic), 20/27 mpg (manual convertible), 20/28 mpg (auto convertible), 20/27 mpg (manual/auto coupe w/High Performance Package), 19/25 mpg (manual, convertible w/HPP), 19/26 mpg (automatic, convertible w/HPP)

5.0-liter V8 (GT)
450 horsepower @ 7,500 rpm
410 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/24 mpg (manual/auto coupe), 15/23 mpg (auto convertible)

5.0-liter V8 (Mach 1)
470 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
410 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/22 mpg (manual), 15/23 mpg (auto)

5.2-liter supercharged V8 (GT500)
760 horsepower @ 7,300 rpm
625 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: est. 12/18 mpg