2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Review (Cars.com)
The verdict: Some versions of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 don’t drive much differently from an optioned-up Mustang GT, but other Mach 1s could be quite transformative.
Versus the competition: Continual tweaking of the current Mustang platform only highlights how sophisticated and livable it really is compared with the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 returns after a 17-year absence as a turned-up version of the Mustang GT. But there isn’t a single Mach 1 package; depending on the configuration, you can turn the car up a bit or a lot versus a regular Mustang GT. I drove the version that’s turned up a bit, and it’s quite good — and not only because it’s a Mach 1.
What Is a Mach 1?
There’s no simple answer to that question. The Mach 1 aims to be a tweener sitting amid the Mustang GT and Mustang Shelby GT500, taking the place of the Shelby GT350 now that it’s been sent to the glue factory. There are multiple configurations and capabilities, however, so not every Mach 1 will be a replacement for the Shelby GT350 — but it can get pretty close, both in capabilities and in price.
What this car is really boils down to this: Are we talking Mach 1 without the Handling Package, or Mach 1 with the Handling Package?
(photo credit: Cars.com)
