The 2.3L EcoBoost (315 horsepower) is the entry-point Mustang and the best fuel economy. The 5.0L GT (480 horsepower) is the V8 sweet spot for most buyers who want the traditional Mustang character. The Dark Horse (500 horsepower) adds track-tuned suspension, MagneRide dampers, and serious performance hardware. The GTD is the limited-production track car at the very top. For Chicago-area buyers, GT is the most popular choice; Dark Horse appeals to enthusiasts who want track-day capability.

Manual or automatic?

The 6-speed manual is available across the lineup and is what most enthusiasts choose, especially on the GT and Dark Horse. The 10-speed automatic is genuinely good and the smarter choice for daily driving in Chicago traffic, especially commutes on the Eisenhower or I-294. If you'll daily drive the car in heavy traffic, automatic. If you prioritize engagement and only commute occasionally, manual.

Coupe or convertible?

Coupes are stiffer, faster around a track, and easier to live with year-round. Convertibles trade some chassis stiffness for the open-air experience. For Chicago weather, the coupe is the more practical choice (the convertible top is well-engineered but you'll get fewer top-down days than buyers in warmer climates). The convertible makes more sense for buyers in Hinsdale or Lombard who want a fair-weather second car.

Can I daily drive a Mustang in Chicago winters?

You can, but it requires winter tires. RWD muscle cars on summer or all-season tires are limited in snow regardless of the car. With proper winter tires (which we'd encourage on any RWD car), the Mustang is genuinely livable year-round. The available all-wheel drive is not a Mustang option (it's an iconic RWD car by design), so winter tire investment is part of ownership.

How does the new Mustang compare to a Camaro or Challenger?

Both the Camaro and Challenger have ended production for now, which leaves the Mustang as the only American muscle car still in showrooms. That puts the Mustang in a unique position. For buyers cross-shopping used Camaros or Challengers, the new Mustang offers the warranty and modern tech advantages, plus the assurance that the platform isn't going anywhere. Cross-shopping European or Japanese sport coupes is a different conversation.

Have Additional Questions?

Our team at Zeigler Ford of North Riverside understands the Mustang lineup deeply and can walk you through the differences between EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse based on what you'll actually do with the car.

We've worked with enthusiasts across Chicago, Cicero, Berwyn, and Downers Grove who want serious performance, and we'll match the configuration to your real driving rather than overselling.

Stop by our showroom on Harlem Avenue in North Riverside or schedule a test drive.

What Ford Built Here

The current-generation Mustang is the most refined, most powerful, and most thoughtfully built Mustang in the nameplate's 60-year history. With the Camaro and Challenger out of production, it's also the last American muscle car standing in new-car showrooms, which gives the platform a different significance than it had during the muscle-car wars of the previous decade.

The lineup runs from the 2.3L EcoBoost (315 horsepower) through the 5.0L GT (480 horsepower), the Dark Horse (500 horsepower with track-tuned suspension), and the GTD (a near-1,000-horsepower limited-production halo car). All can be optioned with a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic, and all are rear-wheel drive. The available MagneRide adaptive suspension on Dark Horse and certain GT configurations adds genuine handling capability without sacrificing daily comfort.

Powertrain options from the efficient 2.3L EcoBoost through the track-focused Dark Horse with 500 horsepower
Available 6-speed manual transmission across the lineup keeps the engagement enthusiasts want
MagneRide adaptive suspension on equipped trims adjusts damping for daily driving and track work

Inside, the new Mustang has stepped up meaningfully. The 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster pairs with a 13.2-inch infotainment screen running SYNC 4. The seats hold up well on long drives and offer real lateral support during aggressive driving. The cabin feels properly upmarket without losing the Mustang's working-class muscle car character.

For Chicago-area buyers who want a sport coupe with American character, the Mustang is the only option that delivers it new. The Dark Horse specifically pushes into legitimate performance territory that competes with European sport coupes at significantly lower prices.

How It Actually Drives

The current Mustang drives meaningfully better than older generations. The chassis is stiffer, the steering is more precise, and the suspension tuning balances daily livability with sport-coupe handling. On the Eisenhower or I-294 it's comfortable enough for actual commuting; on a back road or track day, it delivers performance that makes the case for the platform.

The 2.3L EcoBoost is more capable than its specs suggest, with strong torque and a willing chassis. The 5.0L GT is the volume choice for good reason, with linear power delivery, a soundtrack that's hard to beat, and genuinely strong acceleration. The Dark Horse adds track-focused suspension tuning, more aggressive aerodynamics, and 500 horsepower that makes it competitive with Porsche 718 Cayman pricing while delivering a different character.

Manual transmission with rev-matching downshifts available across the lineup for engagement
MagneRide adaptive damping (where available) adjusts ride quality between daily-driver comfort and track-ready handling
Brembo brakes available with Performance Package configurations provide track-capable stopping power

The Mustang is rear-wheel drive, which means winter tires are mandatory for year-round Chicago driving. With proper rubber, the platform is genuinely livable through winter; without it, you'll be limited from December through February. That's part of the cost of muscle car ownership in this climate.

Real-world fuel economy in Chicago-area driving lands around 22-24 mpg combined for the EcoBoost and 18-20 combined for the GT. The Dark Horse is a little thirstier given its tune. Premium fuel is required across the V8 lineup.

Mustang Trims at a Glance

The Mustang lineup is built around clear performance tiers, with Premium versions of each adding comfort and feature upgrades.

EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium cover the entry-point with the 2.3L turbo-four. They make sense for buyers who want Mustang style and dynamics without V8 operating costs. GT and GT Premium are the volume V8 trims, balancing performance and daily livability with the 5.0L Coyote V8.

EcoBoost trims deliver Mustang character at lower operating costs and stronger fuel economy
GT and GT Premium are the volume V8 choices for buyers who want traditional Mustang character
Dark Horse adds track-focused suspension, 500 horsepower, and serious performance hardware

Dark Horse and Dark Horse Premium add the track-tuned suspension, 500-horsepower V8, MagneRide dampers, and aggressive aerodynamics. The GTD sits at the very top with near-1,000 horsepower and limited production. Performance Package on lower trims adds Brembo brakes, sport-tuned suspension, and other track-relevant upgrades.

Most of our Mustang buyers in Chicago and the western suburbs land on GT or Dark Horse depending on their performance priorities. The EcoBoost is more popular with buyers who prioritize daily driving and lower operating costs while still wanting the Mustang look and rear-drive dynamics.

Why Buy from Zeigler Ford of North Riverside

Mustang allocation has been steady at our store across most trims, with limited-production variants like Dark Horse and GTD getting smaller allocations. We tend to have a working selection of EcoBoost and GT configurations on the lot, and Dark Horse availability rotates as Ford ships them.

Our team includes performance-vehicle specialists who understand the Mustang lineup beyond the spec sheet. We can talk through how the Performance Package changes the feel of a GT, what the Dark Horse Handling Package adds, and which option combinations actually pay off versus which ones just add cost. We won't push features that don't fit your use.

Working Mustang inventory in North Riverside across EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse trims as available
Factory-trained Ford Performance technicians for service on V8 and high-performance configurations
Easy access from Chicago, Cicero, Oak Park, Berwyn, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, and Lombard via I-290 and I-294

When the Mustang needs service, our service department handles routine maintenance and performance work in-house. We're equipped for V8 service, including the higher-output Dark Horse, and we stock Ford Performance parts for buyers who want to modify or upgrade their cars.

Financing on a performance car deserves a real conversation about insurance costs, fuel costs, and operating expenses on top of the loan itself. Apply online before your visit and we'll have multiple options ready. Trade-ins are welcome on any make.

Making the Mustang Decision

The Mustang makes sense for buyers who want a sport coupe with American character, V8 availability, and the muscle car heritage that Ford has maintained through every generation. With the Camaro and Challenger gone, it's the only new car that fills that specific niche, which gives it a unique position in 2025 and beyond.

Where it shines depends on which trim you choose. The EcoBoost makes the case as a daily-driver sport coupe with reasonable operating costs. The GT delivers the classic V8 muscle car experience. The Dark Horse pushes into genuine performance territory. The GTD is in its own conversation entirely. There's a Mustang for almost any sport coupe budget.

Last American muscle car still in production with both V8 and turbocharged options available
Track-capable trims (Dark Horse, GT with Performance Package, GTD) deliver legitimate sport-coupe handling
Manual transmission availability across the lineup keeps enthusiast engagement that most rivals have abandoned

Cross-shoppers usually weigh the Mustang against used Camaros and Challengers (used market only now), the BMW M2 or M4, Porsche 718 Cayman, and Toyota GR Supra. Each has strengths. The Mustang wins on V8 availability, on muscle car character, and on operating costs versus the European options.

If you're crossing the Mustang off your list because you assume it drives like older Mustangs, take one out. The current generation is meaningfully better than the previous platform, and the Dark Horse specifically deserves attention from buyers shopping European sport coupes.

Ordering, Availability, and Getting Your Mustang

Mustang availability varies by trim. EcoBoost and GT configurations are generally available with reasonable inventory. Dark Horse availability rotates based on Ford's allocation. GTD is limited-production and requires application or special ordering. Specific colors and option packages sometimes require factory orders or dealer trades.

Factory build times for special orders typically run 8-14 weeks. Our team can walk you through which options are worth specifying versus which can be added later. The Performance Package on GT and the Handling Package on Dark Horse are deliberate option choices that affect insurance and resale, so they deserve consideration during the build process.

Working inventory across EcoBoost and GT trims; Dark Horse availability rotates based on Ford allocation
Factory orders available for specific colors, packages, or limited-production configurations
Performance Package and Handling Package decisions matter at order time; they're not easy to add after delivery

For buyers planning track days or serious modifications, our service department can handle Ford Performance upgrades, brake service for track use, and the additional maintenance that comes with performance driving. We're set up to support enthusiast ownership rather than just basic service.

Insurance on a Mustang varies dramatically by trim, age, driving record, and zip code. Dark Horse and GT models cost more to insure than EcoBoost. Performance Package adds insurance cost. These operating expenses are part of muscle car ownership and worth budgeting for before purchase.

If you're ready to start the conversation, browse our current Mustang inventory online or stop by the showroom on Harlem Avenue. Reach out to our team if you want a specific configuration, and we'll either find it on the lot, locate it through our dealer network, or set up a factory order.

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