Which Trim Level of the 2026 Ford Mustang Should You Buy?

Key Points

• The 2026 Ford Mustang is available in six trim levels: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, Dark Horse and Dark Horse Premium.
• The 2026 model gets a new ‘80s-throwback FX Package available on the GT Premium trim.
• Coupe and convertible body styles are available.
• Base prices range from $34,315 to $71,070 (all prices include $1,995 destination charge).

With the Chevrolet Camaro dead and the Dodge Charger Sixpack still en route, shoppers looking for a gasoline-swilling American muscle car have precisely one option at the moment: the 2026 Ford Mustang. But within that single model, many choices remain: coupe or convertible; manual or automatic transmission; four-cylinder engine or V-8 — and, if V-8, 480, 486 or 500 horsepower? For 2026, the Mustang’s base price ranges from $34,315 to $71,070 (all prices include the $1,995 destination charge), and a generously optioned Dark Horse can encroach on $90,000. So, which trim level of the 2026 Ford Mustang is right for you?

Related: 2024 Ford Mustang GT Review: Stomping Into the Future

Powertrain Specs and MPG

The 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost variants are powered by a 315-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 350 pounds-feet of torque. The turbo four is only available with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and all Mustangs are rear-wheel drive. It returns an EPA-rated 22/33/26 mpg city/highway/combined.

Buyers who want a manual transmission in their Mustang have to opt for a V-8. The Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter generates 480 hp and 415 pounds-feet of torque, or 486 hp and 418 pounds-feet with the optional active exhaust. In the Mustang Dark Horse, the V-8 is tweaked to deliver an even 500 hp and 418 pounds-feet of torque. GT buyers have a no-cost choice between a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic transmission, but the manual costs an additional $300 in the Dark Horse. The GT returns 16/24/19 mpg with the automatic transmission and 15/23/18 mpg with the manual, while the Dark Horse is rated at 14/22/17 mpg with either gearbox.

EcoBoost: $34,315

The entry-level Ford Mustang rides on 18-inch wheels and features keyless entry and start, LED exterior lighting (including sequential taillights) and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inside, you’ll find manually adjustable cloth seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, six speakers, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen.

For the base Mustang EcoBoost, the convertible is $7,800 more than the coupe and also includes active noise cancellation, a nine-speaker sound system and a lockable glove box.

Standard safety equipment on the Mustang includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and steering assist, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams and rear parking sensors.

EcoBoost Premium: $38,340

While the contents of the Premiums are largely similar between the Mustang’s available engines and body styles, prices vary considerably, from just $1,725 on the EcoBoost convertible to $4,995 on the Dark Horse. On all Mustangs, it includes heated side mirrors, remote start, synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with memory settings for the driver, upgraded cabin finishes, aluminum pedals, ambient lighting and a nine-speaker sound system.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is only available on the Premium trim levels and includes adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, a driver attention monitor and blind spot intervention.

On the EcoBoost Premium, the convertible adds $5,500.

GT: $48,555

Other than its more powerful engine, the Mustang GT is mostly the same as the EcoBoost; it does, however, have larger brakes and standard black 18-inch wheels. Buyers who want a convertible V-8 must step up to the GT Premium, as the convertible is not available on the base GT.

GT Premium: $53,075

In addition to the Premium features on the EcoBoost, the GT Premium also gets silver-painted 19-inch wheels, genuine leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel. New for 2026, the GT Premium gets an optional FX Package, which evokes the 1980s’ Fox Body era and comes with unique wheels finished in Oxford White, as well as white badges and exterior accents and plaid seat inserts. On the EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium, the convertible costs $5,500.

Dark Horse: $66,075

The Dark Horse is more than just a GT with a little extra power. It gets an upgraded suspension with a strut-tower brace, unique 19-inch wheels wearing summer performance tires, an active performance exhaust, a rear spoiler, Brembo front brakes and engine oil, transmission and differential coolers. Here, power-adjustable front seats and leather upholstery are standard even on the base trim, which also includes a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Dark Horse and Dark Horse Premium are only available as coupes.

Dark Horse Premium: $71,070

The Dark Horse Premium adds all of the remaining equipment from the other Premium trim levels that isn’t standard on the regular Dark Horse. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is not available on either Dark Horse.

Read More About the Ford Mustang:

• 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Quick Spin: Impressive Capability, Surprising Civility
• Ford Mustang GTD Liquid Carbon Bares It All
• 2025 Ford Mustang 60th Anniversary Special Edition Celebrates Rare Milestone
• Is the 2024 Ford Mustang GT a Good Sports Car? 6 Pros, 3 Cons
• 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Quick Spin: Same Looks, Less Visceral

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