• Familiar Mustang styling cues inside, too
• Sensible layout for the majority of controls
• Pity that higher grade plastics aren’t used

Quality and layout

If you’re wondering how Ford can produce a V8 coupe for such a low price compared to rivals, a quick glance around the interior will help answer your question. Yes, you’ll find a few squishy plastics on the top of the dash and doors, but the faux metal trims aren’t at all convincing and there are plenty of hard, scratchy materials. All rivals with the exception of the Alpine A110 feel far classier inside.

At least you’ll find all the major controls easy to find and operate with simple physical controls – the only touch sensitive thing you’ll find is the screen for the infotainment. The toggle switches are a nice retro touch, if a little cheap even compared to a MINI, although the steering wheel has far too many buttons on it for our liking.

Infotainment and tech

Anyone that’s driven a more humdrum Ford such as a Fiesta, Focus or Kuga will recognise the Mustang’s infotainment system. It’s easy enough to navigate with big icons and easy to fathom menus, but looks like something you’d knock up in PowerPoint compared to the ritzier looking systems found in rivals.

All versions of the Mustang get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring as standard. If you want built in sat nav it’s optional unless you opt for a Mach 1. The upgrade isn’t cheap, although you do at least get an upgraded stereo as well.

That’s not all the tech you get, though. Keyless entry and start is standard across the range as is a configurable digital driver’s display in place of analogue instruments. The graphics are sharp and a number of styles of display are available, but it isn’t as clear or customisable as an A5’s system.

Comfort

• Long journeys can be easily devoured in comfort
• Lack of rear seat room is a weakness
• Comfortable up front, not so good in the rear
  

The Mustang’s standard seats are comfortable, if not quite as supportive during enthusiastic cornering as we’d like. Optional figure-hugging Recaro seats do a far better job of keeping you in place whilst remaining pleasant for long journeys. Heating and cooling elements are a combined option for the standard seats but aren’t available on the Recaros.

Apart from the driver’s seat being mounted a bit high for our liking, the driving position is sound. Six-way electric seat adjustment is standard and there’s enough range to suit tall and short drivers. There’s plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel, too.