The Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a gas-sipping four-cylinder alternative to the thirsty V8s in the Mustang’s lineup. However, many Mustang enthusiasts argue that pony cars with fewer than eight cylinders lose some of the pantomime and experience. Still, many vehicles with smaller engines make up the fun factor with traditional manual transmissions. So, can you get a manual Ford Mustang EcoBoost, or is the three-pedal life reserved for V8-powered Mustangs?

Does Mustang EcoBoost come in manual?

Fortunately for Mustang fans who want their pony car with fewer cylinders, you can still get a 2022 Ford Mustang EcoBoost with a six-speed manual transmission. In fact, the 2022 EcoBoost gets the six-speed manual as standard equipment, with an optional $1,595 10-speed rev-matching automatic transmission. 

Also, while a four-cylinder mill might seem underwhelming compared to a Coyote 5.0L V8, the EcoBoost’s 310 horsepower with a six-speed manual transmission is a recipe for a good time. Moreover, the High Performance package bumps the horsepower up to 330, also available with a three-pedal setup. 

What manual transmission is in EcoBoost Mustang?

The S550-generation Ford Mustangs pack a Getrag-sourced MT82 six-speed manual transmission. While it’s good news that both engine options marry up to a three-pedal setup, the choice of transmission is problematic. Getrag’s Chinese six-speed is prone to premature failures, more laborious shifting, and early wear. Compared to the 10-speed automatic, the six-speed manual is less reliable. 

Fans must look at the pricier special editions of the last few years to get a stouter unit. For instance, the now-discontinued Shelby GT350 packs a Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual. That transmission is notchier, tougher, and more reliable than the Getrag MT82. Moreover, the more recent Ford Mustang Mach 1 uses many of the track-ready components of the GT350, including the TR-3160. 

Is a Mustang automatic faster than a manual?

A manual-equipped Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a fun four-cylinder platform. However, the three-pedal pony car isn’t as fast as the 10-speed automatic. According to Car and Driver, an automatic-equipped Mustang EcoBoost can hit 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. However, that’s just 0.1 seconds faster than the manual-equipped Econo-Stang. 

The Ford Mustang GT Automatic is also quicker than its manual counterpart. In testing, a post-facelift 2018 Ford Mustang GT Automatic hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. That’s quicker than the 4.3-second result from the manual GT of the same year. 

Can you get a new S650 with a manual transmission?

Unfortunately for those Mustang enthusiasts who want an upcoming 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost with a manual transmission, it will not happen. Ford announced that the seventh-generation “S650” EcoBoost would pack the 10-speed automatic only. Instead, the Getrag MT82 six-speed manual will only find a home with V8-powered models. Moreover, the only upcoming S650 with a Tremec transmission will be the 500+ horsepower Dark Horse, a track-ready successor to the venerable Mach 1. 

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