Driving the Ford Mustang GT in Los Angeles: Here’s My Brutally Honest Review
Driving the Ford Mustang GT in Los Angeles: Here’s My Brutally Honest Review originally appeared on Autoblog.
Driving a V8 in the age of SUVs
Currently, there are no real competitors that directly challenge the 2025 Ford Mustang GT. I spent a week driving one around Los Angeles, with mixed results, but a deeper appreciation for what it represents. With the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger bowing out of production, the Mustang now stands alone in the traditional American muscle car segment. Not counting the electric Mustang Mach-E, Ford is still moving a solid number of units—over 47,000 sold last year. That’s impressive for a rear-wheel-drive coupe with limited utility. In many ways, it’s the antithesis of today’s SUV-obsessed car culture, and that's exactly what makes it special.
2024 Ford Mustang FordWhat Is the 2025 Mustang GT?
The GT is powered by the now-legendary 5.0L “Coyote” V8, delivering 480 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. Add the optional active performance exhaust, and output bumps to 486 hp. You can still opt for a convertible, and while Ford introduced a 60th Anniversary Edition in 2024, it’s mostly cosmetic.
I’ve driven the 500-horsepower Mustang Dark Horse, and while it’s brutally effective, I actually found the Mustang GT more enjoyable. It’s more analog, more involving, and more fun in everyday conditions.
2024 Ford MustangFordBehind the wheel: real-world impressions
The Mustang I tested was a 6-speed manual GT with the Performance Package and a Torsen 3.73 limited-slip differential—a proper enthusiast setup. At full throttle, this car surges forward with authority, the V8 sound pouring in as the tires claw for grip. The manual transmission is a delight—precise, mechanical, and rewarding. Steering feedback is excellent, rivaling the best sports cars I’ve tested.
Outside of something like a Mazda MX-5 Miata, it’s rare to find such communication between driver and machine in this price bracket. But let’s be honest: L.A. traffic is a buzzkill. Driving a heavy-hitting V8 with a manual gearbox through miles of stop-and-go gets tiresome quickly. I found myself going from “You have to try this!” to “Please get me out of this” more than once.
2025 Ford Mustang GTFordInterior & tech
The cabin hasn’t changed much since 2024. It’s still sporty, functional, and tight, especially for rear-seat passengers. Tall friends will complain about both legroom and headroom, but the front seats are excellent, with plenty of support and adjustability.
Tech-wise, the Mustang GT comes with a 13.2-inch center touchscreen running SYNC 4, integrated with a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster. The combined screen setup under curved glass looks sharp and works smoothly. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, enhanced voice controls, and 911 Assist round out a modern cabin experience.
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Price and value
The base price for the 2025 Mustang GT starts at around $48,000, but my test car came in just over $60,000 with options. That’s not cheap, but it’s still significantly less than some key rivals. The Nissan Z NISMO costs over $69,000, the Toyota GR Supra Final Edition has a similar MSRP, while the BMW M240i xDrive is premium-priced but smaller.
All of those cars may compete on performance, but only the Mustang GT offers a naturally aspirated V8 and true muscle car DNA at this price point. And let’s be real—that matters.
2025 Ford Mustang GTFordEfficiency and practicality
Fuel economy? Not great—14 mpg city / 23 mpg highway with the manual. The 10-speed automatic improves that slightly and actually performs better in most scenarios. But let’s not pretend that MPG is why you’re buying this car. You’re here for the power, the sound, the feeling, and that’s where the manual truly shines.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Mustang GT isn’t perfect. It’s not ideal for commuting, nor is it particularly practical. However, it is one of the few new cars that still delivers visceral driving joy, without requiring a six-figure price tag or a track-only lifestyle. It rewards every input. It makes you feel like you're part of something. And it does all of that while carrying the torch for V8-powered performance coupes—a segment that’s rapidly disappearing.
So, ask yourself: Would you rather have a fast, turbocharged four- or six-cylinder engine, or a rumbly, old-school, fire-breathing V8 that makes every drive feel like an event? For me, the answer is easy.
Driving the Ford Mustang GT in Los Angeles: Here’s My Brutally Honest Review first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 9, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
