Ford Mustang S650
V8 pony car, from Boss 302 to the Dark Horse.
47 reviewers · 128 videos · 52 press articles
Reviewers are split on performance and handling.
across 47 reviewers
"this is a seriously Quick Car honestly"
Throttle House · ▶ 7:29"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"the steering has been caked with Icy Hot it's completely numb and there's almost no buildup in weight either"
Realistick · ▶ 13:02"you're left with one of the best driving muscle cars left"
Savagegeese · ▶ 19:39"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
4.5/547 of 47 reviewerssplit“this is a seriously Quick Car honestly”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 7:29“the Mustang just absolutely took the cake with over 65 horsepower higher than the others”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 10:30“This engine and gearbox combo is to die for so good.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 4:58Handling
4.0/546 of 47 reviewerssplit“this Dark Horse was absolutely glued to our track”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 10:45“It was very stable. Yeah, it was like total opposite of the memes.”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 27:31“The GTD has a really fine balance and as you sort of lean it up in a corner into a corner, doesn't feel like it leans very much at all, but it just maintains fabulous body control.”
positive · Autocar · ▶ 7:30Fun to drive
4.5/547 of 47 reviewerssplit“you're left with one of the best driving muscle cars left”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 19:39“I think for just under $75,000 this might be not necessarily fastest although it might be very close but one of the most enjoyable cars you can drive on track.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:14“every time I get on it it's just I giggle like a school girl”
positive · A Auto Buyers Guide · ▶ 18:25Daily drivability
4.0/546 of 47 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“I haven't found any downgrades in comfort, honestly. So, this is still absolutely daily drivable.”
positive · Matt Maran Motoring · ▶ 21:17Value
3.5/546 of 47 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“it's just too much for me at the moment and I think too much for most people in the car scene for a twodoor muscle car or sports car.”
critical · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 12:26Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- 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 - MotorTrend
The State of American Performance: Shaking Down the USA’s Top Guns
◆Worth itAmerican performance is in a golden age, with these four vehicles demonstrating that whether through traditional muscle, hybrid hypercars, or electric luxury, the future of driving is exceptionally bright.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of American engineering across different performance philosophies.
- Watch out
- Czinger 21C street harshness · Corvette ZR1X understeer · Mustang GTD fuel consumption
Quotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2025 Ford Mustang GTD First Test: It’s Not Just About the Numbers
◆BuyThe Mustang GTD is a transformative vehicle that proves weight and price are secondary to engineering excellence; it is one of the best cars ever driven.
- Best for
- wealthy driving enthusiasts who prioritize track performance and engineering marvels.
- Watch out
- Extremely high price · Very heavy curb weight · Poor fuel economy and range
Quotes worth your time