Look y’all, I’m being honest. It is hard to find drawbacks about the 2024 Ford Mustang aside from the obvious. For example, it’s not a good option for families due to tiny rear seats. However, it’s comfortable, fun, engaging, and attractive. I want my loaner back. 

Does the 2024 Ford Mustang live up to the hype? 

Yes, the 2024 Ford Mustang lives up to the hype in my opinion. After a week with the EcoBoost engine, I understand why it has growing sales while fellow automotive icons like the Jeep Wrangler are struggling. The 2024 model lives up to its racing DNA as it kicks off the seventh generation. 

But first, here are a few potential 2024 Ford Mustang drawbacks: 

• Stuffing a small child in the tight rear seats seems impossible (but it provides great storage space unlike the Toyota Supra and Mazda Miata). 
• The touchscreen HVAC controls are a little distracting. 
• Visibility over the bulking hood and out of the small rear window can feel limited.  
• The standard engine is only avoidable with the 10-speed automatic transmission. 

Now onto the good things! Some of my dedicated haters made fun of my press loan because it wasn’t the GT model. But the EcoBoost engine holds its own with robust power and smooth transmission shifts. Honestly, you don’t need to upgrade. 

The standard 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine cranks out 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. It has enough power to make last-minute passes confident and enticing. 

However, the GT does have a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 500 hp and 419 lb-ft of torque. It reached 60 mph in about 4.3 seconds. You can save with the EcoBoost engine and you’ll only be 1.3 seconds behind. Is that difference noticeable to you? 

While feeling heavy at times, the Mustang is well-balanced for excellent body control. The steering is direct with responsive handling for confident maneuvers. Plus, the brakes are strong without being too sensitive. 

The base engine has an automatic transmission, but it also has steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a manual mode to provide more precision if desired. 

While being a bit stiff compared to rivals, the 2024 Ford Mustang suspension easily and quickly dampens impacts for a smooth ride. However, the Toyota Supra is smoother. The interior is fairly quiet at highway speeds, and you get occasional engine roars. 

The engine sounds alluring and attractive. If you want it to be louder then use Sport mode instead of Normal. However, I think an Eco or Quiet mode would be helpful. I felt awkwardly loud leaving my neighborhood around 7 AM. 

Other driving modes include Track and Drag. I didn’t have a facility to test these modes, though. My time was spent on curvy mountain roads, flat country roads, on the interstate, and running errands downtown. 

I didn’t have the Recaro Sport seats, but that’s fine. Racing seats can feel too firm. The leather seats I had were well-padded and supportive for hours of comfort. Also, the ventilated seats are very strong and effective against South Carolina’s summer heat and humidity. 

Lower trim levels may have bland interior materials. But the 2024 Ford Mustang feels upscale with leather-wrapped surfaces, textured patterns, subtle metal accents, accent stitching, and ambient interior lighting. The horse-shaped puddle lights are another bonus. 

The interior has an intuitive layout with everything placed easily within reach. The doors open wide for easy access. The Mustang doesn’t sit too low, so you don’t have to pop a squat to get in. 

I was impressed by the graphics on the 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and 13.2-inch touchscreen. It’s vibrant and the system works quickly. 

There are plenty of crucial stats for drivers, including your G-Force. However relying on the touchscreen for HVAC controls is distracting. 

But the 2024 Ford Mustang could benefit from a 360-degree camera display. The rearview camera is adequate, but the resolution could be better. 

It’s easy to parallel park the Mustang and squeeze around tight areas. The 18.9’ turning radius is very convenient, but visibility over the hood and out of the tiny rear window isn’t the best. 

The 2024 Mustang has more storage than rivals with a useful tray in front of the gear shifter and generous door pockets. The center console is tight and the trunk provides 13.9 cubic feet of storage space. 

Overall, the 2024 Mustang is well-rounded and more practical than expected. It’s comfortable, smart, attractive, and engaging. It has plenty of space for running errands with a performance that doesn’t disappoint.