Used 2021 Ford Mustang for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Ford Mustang cost?

Prices have softened 1.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,083 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $28,504.44, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Ford Mustang earns a 4.71/5 user rating, and its expert rating is 8.17/10. The model scores 9/10 across Performance, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the Mustang’s performance, looks, and features, and many call out how fun it is to drive. The review summary also points to strong appeal around the GT’s powerful engine and the car’s decent fuel economy for a V8.

The trade-offs are clear: the Mustang has poor visibility, a cramped back seat, and not much cargo space. That makes it a better fit if you want a sporty coupe experience than if you need everyday practicality.

For shoppers who want a performance car with modern tech and a strong heritage feel, the Mustang fits that brief well. The market also shows 26.2% good or great deals, so there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang reliable?

Owners rate it 4.71/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a car that many drivers enjoy enough to keep recommending, with praise centered on performance, styling, and features. It also suggests the Mustang can be a car you feel good about living with over time, especially if you value the driving experience as much as the badge.

The expert evaluation reinforces that sense of dependability by describing the Mustang as a modern sports car with a strong blend of heritage and current technology. It also notes that the car’s feature set and performance hardware make it feel well thought out for enthusiasts.

Ford also includes a standard maintenance visit perk in the cost-effectiveness discussion, which is a nice ownership bonus. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the concept and more about how hard the car was driven and maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Ford Mustang?

At 74.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here because the Mustang’s appeal depends heavily on condition, and you want to know whether the car has been modified, abused, or simply worn harder than average.

Pay extra attention to visibility, interior wear, and how the car drives at low speeds and under throttle. If you are shopping a higher-performance version, make sure the brakes, tires, and suspension components still feel tight and consistent.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base EcoBoost includes 17-inch alloy wheels, manual seats, pushbutton start, power door locks, power windows, a leather-wrapped shift knob, 4G LTE WiFi, a six-speaker stereo, and the basic Sync system with a 4.2-inch touchscreen and voice control. The EcoBoost Premium adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a black decklid spoiler, LED fog lights, ambient cabin lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats, two USB ports, and Sync 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT builds on the EcoBoost and adds a 5.0-liter V8, dual exhaust tips, unique badging, and a unique grille. The GT Premium adds leather-trimmed front seats, vinyl back seats, and two smart-charging USB ports. The Mach 1 adds a fully digital instrument panel, power-adjustable front seats, a split-fold rear bench, and illuminated door scuff plates. The best-value trim is the EcoBoost Premium if you want the most comfort and tech for the money.

• Powertrain: The EcoBoost uses a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, or 330 hp with the High-Performance Package. The GT uses a 5.0-liter V8 with 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Mach 1 uses the GT’s V8 with an additional 20 hp for 480 hp total. Both engines can be paired with a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic, and both are rear-wheel drive.

• Safety package: Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and includes automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors cost extra.

• Infotainment: The base car gets a 4.2-inch color display with voice controls. Sync 3 brings an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is easy to use, but when phone projection is active, it takes over the screen and there is no home button below the display.

• Fuel efficiency: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost with the 10-speed automatic returns 21 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The V8-powered GT with the automatic returns 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. The Mach 1 is estimated at 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Ford Mustang trim should I buy?

The 2021 Ford Mustang is offered in 5 trim levels: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Mach 1.

Here's the short version:

• EcoBoost: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Mustang experience with the 2.3-liter turbo four, a manual transmission option, and standard CoPilot360 safety tech. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and still care about style and driving fun.

• EcoBoost Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 8-inch Sync 3 touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone climate control, and more comfort features without jumping to V8 pricing.

• GT: Choose this if the V8 is the reason you are shopping. It adds the 5.0-liter engine, dual exhaust tips, unique badging, and a more serious performance character.

• GT Premium: This is the right pick if you want the V8 plus a more upscale cabin. It adds leather-trimmed front seats and other comfort upgrades that make the car feel more complete.

• Mach 1: This is the enthusiast choice, with the most aggressive hardware and the strongest performance focus in the lineup. It suits you best if you want the sharpest factory Mustang and are willing to pay for it.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard across the lineup, but adaptive cruise control and parking sensors still cost extra.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Ford Mustang?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,083 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,504.44, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Ford Mustang's resale value?

The current average of $31,565 sits slightly below last year's $31,980.

That kind of softening suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more selectively now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on trim, condition, and how well the car was maintained.

Higher-performance versions may still hold attention better than a tired base car, especially if they are clean and well documented. If you buy carefully now, you improve your odds of protecting value later.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.71/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Ford Mustang safe?

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Ford CoPilot360 is standard and includes automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams. You still have to pay extra for adaptive cruise control and parking sensors.

The Mustang also gets credit for good visibility for an American sports car, which helps everyday confidence behind the wheel. If you want the fullest safety setup, make sure the specific car you are considering includes the optional driver-assistance features you care about.

Should I buy a 2021 Ford Mustang or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.71/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds the new Mach 1 trim, giving you a broader performance-focused lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $26,679, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,565 average.
• It remains a recognizable pony car with strong performance character and good value for money.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year lineup and the added Mach 1 option, the 2021 is the better target. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the smarter value play, especially if you find one in strong condition with the right equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.