2022 Ford Mustang Coupe Performance

People don't buy Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupes because they want a fuel-efficient city commuter. They also don't buy them because they want to set Nurburgring track records, but they do expect above-average performance, and boy does the Mustang Coupe deliver. Some hardcore Mustang fans might have felt cheated when Ford introduced the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the base model, but many soon realized it is way easier to get extra power out of this power plant than it is to squeeze power out of a naturally-aspirated V6 or low-compression V8. The 2.3-liter engine, after all, came out of the fire-breathing Focus RS, where it produced 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Now with a solid 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque under your right foot, the Mustang Coupe never feels slow, even though it lacks the growl and rasp of a V8. For those looking for some extra poke, Ford offers a high-performance version of the same engine, which produces 330 hp and 350 lb-ft. Independent testing has shown that the rear-wheel-drive Mustang Coupe can bolt from 0-60 mph in about five seconds if perfectly launched, making it quicker than its main rival, the base Chevrolet Camaro Coupe.

The Mustang's top speed is limited to 121 mph normally but this is increased to 145 mph with the EcoBoost Performance Package and 155 mph with the High-Performance Package that hikes power up to 330 hp. If that's all not enough, the V8-powered Mustang GT and GT500 are always on hand with greater power and a stellar soundtrack, or you can completely abandon the coupe's roots and buy a Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.

Under the hood of the 2022 Ford Mustang Coupe sits a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from the last generation Ford Focus RS. In the Mustang, this engine has been down-tuned to produce 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels (where else?) via a six-speed manual or optional ten-speed automatic transmission. The ten-speed auto uses a 3.15 limited-slip rear axle, while the six-speed manual gets a 3.55 limited-slip axle.

This powertrain is more than capable of entertaining, whether you go for the manual or auto box, but we'd always recommend going with the more engaging six-speed shooter. If you're all about 0-60 mph times and weekends at the drag strip, the ten-speed auto might be better, but it sucks a lot of the fun out of owning a RWD sports car. The 2.3-liter high-performance option increases the size of the turbo compressor, adds a larger radiator, and gets a slight ECU tweak for a total power output of 330 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That might not look like much on paper, but the way the torque curve has been adjusted to deliver power earlier is noticeable. This engine produces more than enough grunt for city driving, and there is oodles of torque when you're attempting to overtake on the highway. It might not sound as cool as a V8 engine, but it delivers impressive performance.

It is truly amazing how far the internal combustion engine has come. Back in the 1980s and early 90s, a Fox Body Mustang 5.0 made less power and returned under 20 mpg from its big and lazy V8 engine. The 2022 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Fastback will destroy a Fox Body 5.0 in every sense and still manage to return impressive fuel consumption figures of 21/32/25 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle, with the auto 'box. The six-speed manual version is slightly thirstier but still manages a respectable 21/29/24 mpg. If you opt for the high-output engine, figures drop to 20/27/23 mpg with the auto or 20/27/22 mpg with the manual.

With a 15.5-gallon fuel tank fitted to the 2022 car, you can expect to see a maximum range of 388 miles in its most frugal guise.