Ford Mustang S197
V8 pony car, from Boss 302 to the Dark Horse.
22 reviewers · 70 videos · 10 hours watched · 56 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and fun to drive, but split on handling and daily drivability.
across 22 reviewers
"it's considered the best handling live axle mustang ever created"
ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 0:03"this might be the most swirly car under art acceleration I've ever driven"
ShootingCars · ▶ 13:38"the Mustang held a slight Edge in ride quality and won points for fit finish a Snappy interior color scheme and its back seat."
Car and Driver · ▶ 1:56"I would own this car absolutely but I think I would own it as a second car the 1M and the M3 are cars that you could own as your only car because of the refinement"
EverydayDriver · ▶ 8:15Performance
4.0/522 of 22 reviewersstrong consensus“662 Horsepower a top speed of over 2 100 m an hour it goes 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds”
positive · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 0:19“this engine gives you 444 reasons to buy this car listen to that that just gets evil above 6,000”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 5:02“The boss quickly went to work with a 4.4 second trip to 60 that's 310 faster than the last Mustang GT we tested.”
positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 3:33Handling
3.5/521 of 22 reviewerssplit“it's considered the best handling live axle mustang ever created”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 0:03“I'm a little astonished at what they've done for the steering feel on this car”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 5:39“this might be the most swirly car under art acceleration I've ever driven”
critical · ShootingCars · ▶ 13:38Fun to drive
4.5/522 of 22 reviewersconsensus“this car is the heavyweight cage fighter”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 3:31“everything about the boss works together just right the way it responds The Stance even the sound is loud when you want it to be and quiet when you don't.”
positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 2:06“isn't it worth it to spend a little extra money to have that much joy every day”
positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 5:13Daily drivability
3.5/522 of 22 reviewerssplit“the Mustang held a slight Edge in ride quality and won points for fit finish a Snappy interior color scheme and its back seat.”
positive · Car and Driver · ▶ 1:56“I would own this car absolutely but I think I would own it as a second car the 1M and the M3 are cars that you could own as your only car because of the refinement”
critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 8:15“it feels like a stick in gravel I mean really it feels kind of sloppy”
critical · ShootingCars · ▶ 1:54Value
4.0/522 of 22 reviewersconsensus“It is the I mean, it's the definition of affordable performance.”
positive · Graham Cain · ▶ 5:46“I think we bought it for 22. 24 000 yeah... value-wise the Mustang wins all day right”
positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 11:08“250 bucks is a small price to pay for any kind of suspension work to be honest”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 2:18Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- MotorTrend
Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC COTY Review: Horse Stomps Cobra?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe Dark Horse SC is a performance powerhouse that effectively replaces the GT500, but its interior quality fails to justify its six-figure price tag.
- Best for
- track enthusiasts who prioritize raw performance over luxury cabin appointments
- Watch out
- Plasticky interior materials · High price point · Poor fuel economy
Quotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC First Test: A GTD For 60 Percent Off
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe Dark Horse SC is a brilliant performance bargain compared to the GTD, though it remains an expensive proposition with a lackluster interior for the price.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want GTD-level track performance with a factory warranty and daily usability.
- Watch out
- High price point · Baseline Mustang interior quality · Expensive optional packages · Heavy curb weight
Quotes worth your time - Car and Driver
No Mere Show Pony: We Test the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC
◆Worth itA supercar in a humble Mustang wrapper that’s impossible not to love, price be damned.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want track-ready performance without sacrificing daily usability.
- Watch out
- Interior quality does not match the price · High entry cost · Significant road noise
Quotes worth your time - The Drive
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC First-Drive Review: The Perfect Mustang Doesn’t Need a Stick
◆Worth itThe Dark Horse SC is a superior evolution of the performance Mustang, offering exceptional handling and accessible power that surpasses the previous GT500.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a track-capable machine that remains usable on the street.
- Watch out
- Dated interior design · Excessively long infotainment animations · Rotary shifter implementation
Quotes worth your time - Road & Track
The 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Moves the Game On
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe Dark Horse SC is a masterclass in refinement, taking the Shelby formula and improving it in every measurable way, though the price tag is a significant hurdle.
- Best for
- Die-hard Mustang enthusiasts who want the ultimate front-engine track machine and are not deterred by the high price.
- Watch out
- Very high starting price · Recaro seats may be uncomfortable for long drives · Lack of physical climate buttons
Quotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC First Drive: ’Stang of Wrath
◆Worth itThe 2026 Dark Horse SC is a serious driver’s weapon that transcends its muscle car roots to become a world-class performance machine.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-performance track-capable car that remains usable on the street.
- Watch out
- High price point with Track Pack · Exhaust noise can be excessive for neighbors · Front splitter extensions are prone to scraping
Quotes worth your time - Car and Driver
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Gallops at a Faster Pace
◆Worth itThe Dark Horse SC is a highly capable, refined track-focused machine that successfully carries the torch from the Shelby GT500, though its aggressive nature makes it less ideal for long-distance touring.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts looking for a track-day weapon that remains civilized enough for street use.
- Watch out
- Exhaust note can be fatiguing on long trips · Large screen interior lacks traditional Mustang character · Bulky 76.5-inch width on narrow roads · High replacement cost for carbon-ceramic brakes
Quotes worth your time - MotorTrend
Hot Lap Video: How the Ford Mustang GTD Outsmarted and Outcornered 1,200-hp Supercars
◆Worth itThe Mustang GTD is a track-focused engineering marvel that excels in cornering and braking, though it currently lacks the raw power to dominate in straight-line speed against the absolute top-tier hypercars.
- Best for
- track enthusiasts who prioritize chassis balance and cornering precision over raw straight-line acceleration.
- Watch out
- significant power deficit compared to 1,200-hp rivals · heavy curb weight
Quotes worth your time