2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 PVOTY Review: We Like It, Don’t Love It

Ever since the sixth-generation S550 Ford Mustang made its debut with an independent rear suspension as the starring attraction, we've been in and out of love with it. We fell hard for the Shelby cars, specifically the GT350 and 350R, with their screaming Voodoo engine and carbon-fiber wheels, and the absolutely astonishing GT500 was the 760-hp muscled-up Mustang of our dreams . But we haven't been all that enamored with some of the performance-package Mustang models, several of which aren't as good as similar Chevrolet Camaros.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 represents an attempt to merge what we love about the Shelby cars with the best of the Mustang GT models, and after a short affair with Ford's newest pony performer, we found it to be a reasonably compelling proposition.

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"If you're a Mustang person, I expect you'll think it looks good, drives good, and sounds good," executive editor Mac Morrison said. "It has more grip than I expected, and you can lean on it pretty darn hard before it really starts to slide around. "

Thanks in large part to its MagneRide dampers, a Torsen rear differential, the special Mach 1 handling package featuring a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, a crazy "s'wing" rear spoiler/wing cribbed from the GT500, and a stout set of Brembo brakes, this Mustang was up to the task when it came to being driven hard on the track. 

"Compared to the standard GT Performance Pack, the Mach 1 is a significantly more interesting car," features editor Christian Seabaugh said. "The biggest problem with those Mustang GTs is the ride—they're oversprung and not well balanced, constantly bounding back and forth from front to rear. The MagneRide dampers seem to cure the issue. The ride is stiff, sure, but it's composed and predictable. "

As for its motivation, the Mach 1 is powered by the Mustang GT's Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 engine, bumped up 20 horses to 480 hp with 420 lb-ft of torque, mated to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission. From a powertrain perspective, it's as potent as any Mustang gets right now, short of the GT500.

The manual itself was the subject of quite a bit of chatter among the judges. Some experienced issues with up- and downshifting, while others found the six-speed was one of the better operators at the event. Head of editorial Ed Loh thought it was middle of the pack overall but found it " easy to slam through the gears. It feels indestructible, like a sledgehammer. "

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Inside and out, the Mach 1 has the type of adornments Mustang fans will adore, including plenty of flair in the form of stripes and badges, along with an aggressive front and rear fascia specific to this model. Inside, you find the same Recaro seats up front as used in the GT350 plus the manual shift knob from the Bullitt version, and you can delete the rear seat if you desire. It all adds up to a car we had fun with but didn't want to commit to.

"The Mach 1 in three words: good, not great," Seabaugh said, succinctly summing up our affection level for Ford's latest macho Mustang. "I like it, but don't love it. "