2026 Ford Mustang

The Mustang is the last American muscle car standing. The Camaro is gone. The Challenger is gone. The Charger went electric. That leaves the Mustang carrying the torch alone, and for 2026 it does so with quiet confidence rather than sweeping changes. The big news is that the Dark Horse — Ford's 500-hp flagship — now includes the 10-speed automatic as standard equipment, saving buyers $1,595 compared to last year while the base price only bumped $465. It's a savvy move that makes the Dark Horse a better value proposition in a segment where it was already punching above its weight. The GT with its 5.0-liter Coyote V8 remains the Mustang most enthusiasts should buy. It sounds magnificent, responds to throttle inputs with old-school immediacy, and with the six-speed manual it delivers a driving experience that simply cannot be replicated by a turbocharged four or an electric motor. The EcoBoost isn't a bad car — 315 hp is plenty — but it doesn't stir the soul the way the V8 does. Edmunds rates the 2026 Mustang at 7.9/10 for the coupe and 8.0/10 for the Dark Horse. Its competitors are no longer other muscle cars but rather the Toyota GR Supra, Nissan Z, and BMW M2 — all of which are excellent, but none of which have eight cylinders and an exhaust note that sets off car alarms.