Ford Mustang S650
V8 pony car, from Boss 302 to the Dark Horse.
55 reviewers · 165 videos · 44 hours watched · 56 press articles
Reviewers are split on performance and handling.
across 55 reviewers
"there's so much power in that Mustang this 10p speed shifts like an absolute monster"
The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 2:02"once the car hits 260° oil temp starts pulling timing and it's slower"
Hydra5.0 · ▶ 2:15"this Dark Horse was absolutely glued to our track"
Throttle House · ▶ 10:45"from a chassis Dynamic standpoint it's a little soft and squidgy"
The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 25:46"this car is absolutely unreal"
CarExpert · ▶ 26:01"it just didn't quite gel certainly with that gearbox"
EVO · ▶ 35:50"This car is far more comfortable, far more refined."
Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 26:44"It feels like they cheaped out in every single corner of this. And for a $30,000 Mustang, not a big deal. But when you're paying upwards of 80... you definitely notice it."
Savagegeese · ▶ 5:47"still a far cry from the price of a BMW M4 which is around $90,000 if you could believe that"
Raitis Rides · ▶ 9:46"The pricing on this seems completely insane for what you're getting."
TheTopher · ▶ 1:40Performance
4.5/555 of 55 reviewerssplit“there's so much power in that Mustang this 10p speed shifts like an absolute monster”
positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 2:02“this is a seriously Quick Car honestly”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 7:29“795 horsepower, 660 pound- feet of torque. That's an increase versus the 760 horsepower we had from the old GT500”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 3:53Handling
4.0/554 of 55 reviewerssplit“this Dark Horse was absolutely glued to our track”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 10:45“It has such an insane amount of mechanical grip. Probably some of the best brakes of any street car I've ever experienced.”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 40:27“This on the other hand, I don't think there's a day that I want to stay inside without driving it. It just makes me feel more confident around the corner.”
positive · Sam CarLegion · ▶ 26:15Fun to drive
4.5/555 of 55 reviewerssplit“this car is absolutely unreal”
positive · CarExpert · ▶ 26:01“this car is addicting like it's just so fun it's so good I'm just making you happy when you drive it”
positive · Sleepy Garage · ▶ 16:33“This is definitely one of the best sounding American V8s you're going to hear. It literally sounds like thunder.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 17:31Daily drivability
4.0/555 of 55 reviewerssplit“It feels like they cheaped out in every single corner of this. And for a $30,000 Mustang, not a big deal. But when you're paying upwards of 80... you definitely notice it.”
critical · Savagegeese · ▶ 5:47“This car is far more comfortable, far more refined.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 26:44“it is hands down the best daily driver I've ever had”
positive · Ears POV · ▶ 0:30Value
3.5/555 of 55 reviewerssplit“The pricing on this seems completely insane for what you're getting.”
critical · TheTopher · ▶ 1:40“still a far cry from the price of a BMW M4 which is around $90,000 if you could believe that”
positive · Raitis Rides · ▶ 9:46“the price is ridiculous for what it is and you know how it's excel, you know, everything's too expensive, but this car specifically for the platform that it's on”
critical · Savagegeese · ▶ 33:50Hear 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