Check out the Ford Mustang’s 2 available trims

With the entry of the Ford Mustang into the Philippine market, local buyers now have access to a potent, track-capable two-door coupe-style pony car. 

However, Ford Philippines sells the model in two different variants: the entry-level Mustang EcoBoost Premium and the top-spec GT Premium. 

So, what are the differences between these two trims? Let’s find out in this short guide. 

Mustang EcoBoost Premium

As mentioned above, the entry-level version of the Mustang for the Philippines is the EcoBoost Premium. As its name suggests, it uses a 2.3-liter inline-4 EcoBoost engine capable of producing up to 314 horsepower (hp) and 475 Newton-meters of torque. 

The V8 engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox, which sends all power to the vehicle’s rear wheels. It also comes standard with a limited-slip differential, Ford’s MagneRide damping system, Brembo brakes, and an active valve exhaust system.

On the outside, the Mustang EcoBoost Premium wears tri-bar LED headlamps with automatic functionality, LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights with amber sequential turn signal lamps for its rear. 

Other notable features of Ford’s entry-level pony car include power-folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and carbonized grey-painted aluminum19-inch wheels. 

Unique to the EcoBoost Premium trim is a wide-open mesh-type grille with a silver-colored Mustang pony logo. It also gets body-colored power-folding side mirrors and the regular Mustang bonnet. 

When it comes to size, the four-banger version of the Mustang is 4,811-millimeters (mm) long, 2,097-mm wide, and 1,407-mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,719-mm. 

Step inside the EcoBoost Premium, and you'll be greeted by a cockpit rich in soft-touch materials such as leather. The said material is present on the vehicle’s Recaro sport seats, shifter, and tilt and telescopic steering wheel. 

The aforementioned seats are manually adjusted, while all inside the vehicle are kept cool by a dual-zone climate control system. Good vibes inside the coupe are likewise ensured by a customizable ambient lighting system. 

For the one behind the wheel, the next-gen Ford Mustang displays its driving parameters through a fully digital gauge cluster. The said cluster can be customized, but it exhibits varying graphics whenever one switches between the model’s drive modes (sport, track, comfort, drag, slippery, and custom.)

Other notable driving equipment present on the EcoBoost Premium trim includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a push-to-start button, adaptive cruise control, and keyless entry. 

Onboard entertainment for the Mustang EcoBoost Premium is provided by a 13-inch infotainment display linked to a 12-piece Bang and Olufsen speaker system. The aforementioned screen comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Charging for devices inside the vehicle is done through several USB ports and a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

For safety, the entry-level Mustang gets anti-lock braking, tire pressure monitoring, seven airbags, a tire inflation kit, rear parking sensors, and a security alarm. These standard safety features are supported by a series of advanced driver assist features, which include blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and emergency steer assist, among others. 

Mustang GT Premium

The biggest difference between the EcoBoost Premium and the GT Premium has to do with what’s under the hood. 

For the GT Premium, it uses a larger 5.0-liter V8 engine capable of churning out 486 hp and 567 Nm of torque. Other than getting a beefier eight-cylinder mill, the top-spec pony car largely gets the same mechanical bits as the entry-level variant. 

The infotainment system, comfort-oriented amenities, and safety features are likewise mirrored between the two trims. The GT Premium, however, gets a more aggressive-looking mesh grille with a black-colored Mustang pony logo and hood vents. It also gets the same size of wheels, but the ones on the top-of-the-line variant get an Ebony black paint job. 

Lastly, the GT Premium has a taller ride height of 1,414-mm. Otherwise, it is the same size as the lower-spec model. 

Pricing

• Mustang EcoBoost Premium: P3.499 million
• Mustang GT Premium: P3.999 million

Final thoughts

Comfort-wise, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium are pretty much identical. Both offer a good amount of creature comforts, so either of the two can fit the bill as a sporty but also cushy daily. 

However, in terms of power, the GT Premium is clearly the more athletic of the two. Sure, the two trims largely get the same mechanical bits, but the V8’s beefier power output will be the way to go for folks who really want to challenge our local race tracks. 

Also read:

Cabin check: What’s inside the Ford Mustang?

Ford Mustang vs. the competition