The reviews are in. The embargo for the first driving impressions of the 2013 Ford Mustang broke this morning, and various web sites and magazines have been publishing their initial reviews of Ford’s refreshed pony car throughout the day. For the most part the reviews have been extremely positive, praising the Mustang’s updated styling as well as many of the new features like the adjustable power steering system, the Track Apps, more powerful sound system options and the various new wheel choices.* We’ve put together a summary of the reviews below as well as links to the full articles so you can read them in full:
Car & Driver
Car & Driver doesn’t care much for the new SelectShift automatic transmission:
We could offer several one-word summaries for this device, too, but since none are positive, let’s be specific instead. As the name suggests, this transmission setup is intended to offer the driver manual gear changes, but anyone who has experienced a good paddle-shifted dual-clutch automatic will be, at best, disappointed. This device does nothing to amplify the pleasures of this otherwise snazzy pony ragtop—quite the contrary. Memo to accounting: Pump some money into your Mustang automatic-transmission budget.
Read the full article here.
Automobile Magazine
Praised the optional Recaro seats:
Our test car had optional Recaro front seats, which are among the most comfortable and snug bucket seats we have ever sat in. They feel perfectly suited to the Mustang GT, as they keep driver and passenger from sliding around during aggressive driving.
Read the full article here.
Motor Trend
Appreciates the availability of performance options across the range:
What’s really cool about the 2013 Mustang — apart from its new exterior lighting — is that formerly exclusive high-performance hardware reserved for certain hard-core racer versions is now available on civilian models. The V-6 performance package can now be had with an automatic, while a new Track Package brings Boss 302 and GT500 items like a Torsen helical limited-slip differential and Recaro racing seats to the GT (with a manual trans).
Read the full article here.
Autoblog.com
Praise for the well-balanced suspension:
There is no dramatic oversteer or clumsy understeer plowing. Just more poise than should be possible from a live-axle, well-tuned or otherwise. Those who pine for an independent rear suspension may politely shut their pie holes.
Says the new Track Package is a must:
Built on the 2012 Brembo brake package, the kit combines 14-inch ventilated front discs mashed by four-piston calipers and performance pads with a more aggressive cooling system and rear axle ratio. Buyers who opt for the track package will enjoy a larger radiator than before, complete with extra capacity in the oil cooler and the same 3.73 rear axle found in the Boss 302. The kit will set you back $2,495, which seems like a small price to pay given the hardware on hand.
Read the full article here.
MotorAuthority.com
Highlights the Mustang’s sophistication:
While the underpinnings of the 2013 Ford Mustang have some humble origins and still rely on a solid rear axle, Ford engineers have worked magic in making the Mustang a better driver’s car than quite a few sports coupes or sedans with more sophisticated underpinnings and expensive price tags.
Read the full article here.
Cars.com
High ratings for the adjustable steering and suspension:
Both Mustangs exhibit satisfying steering feedback with power steering dialed to the car’s Sport mode. At the other end, a Comfort mode makes the Mustang easy enough to make three-point turns with one palm. The chassis handled tricky roads outside Portland well enough, staying grounded over broken pavement better than any car with a solid rear axle ought to. Sharp turns on wet pavement had the V-6 coupe’s all-season tires yielding to mild understeer, but working the tail out only required easing back on the gas when coming through the corner.
Read the full article here.