2020 Ford Mustang vs 2021 Ford Mustang

The design of the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt paid homage to Steve McQueen’s iconic 1968 Mustang GT fastback from the movie “Bullitt.” Visually, it struck a balance between nostalgia and modernity, encapsulating a timeless appeal. The car was primarily available in Dark Highland Green, replicating the vintage look, although Shadow Black was an alternative option. Its exterior was clean and classic, with minimal ornamentation, retro Torque Thrust-style 19-inch aluminum wheels, a simulated gas tank cap, and subtle chrome accents. The interior featured unique green stitching in the leather upholstery, a serialized plaque, a white cue-ball shifter knob, and customizable ambient lighting that could be set to green, reinforcing its theme.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Mustang showcased a blend of retro and contemporary design elements, reflecting the evolving aesthetic sensibilities. The front end had a more aggressive, scowling appearance, combined with flowing lines that suggested aerodynamic efficiency. The cabin mixed old and new styles, offering classic-style switches alongside modern digital screens, resulting in a notable improvement in the fit-and-finish quality compared to the Camaro. The 2021 model introduced several trims: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and the new Mach 1, each adding distinct features. The premium materials and updated design elevated the overall cabin experience.

The interior of the 2020 Ford Mustang scored moderately in terms of practicality. The rear seats were cramped, suitable only for small children or extra cargo space, and storage was minimal. However, it provided a trunk with 13.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, serving reasonably well for road trips. Black leather seats with six-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation were standard, while the optional Recaro performance seats offered better support but lacked power adjustments. The front seats afforded comfort during long drives, although city driving felt smoother when starting in second gear.

Similarly, the 2021 Mustang’s cargo space held at 13.5 cubic feet for the fastback and 11.4 cubic feet for the convertible. It outclassed the Camaro’s 9.1 cubic feet (coupe) and 7.3 (convertible), yet fell short of the Challenger’s 16.2 cubic feet. Rear seats were equally impractical for adults, and the power-adjustable front seats presented an odd manual adjustment for the seat-back. Nonetheless, the front seats were well-bolstered for long drives and spirited driving.

The 2020 Mustang shone in performance-related technology. Features included adjustable steering effort, multiple active exhaust modes, diverse driving modes, Line Lock, Launch Control, and Track Apps accessible via a sophisticated 12-inch digital gauge cluster. Sync 3, although aging, provided fundamental infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface was user-friendly, supplemented by a robust 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and independent stereo and climate controls.

The 2021 model began with a basic 4.2-inch color display and voice controls, upgrading to the intuitive Sync 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in Premium trims. Sync 3’s layout was practical, with large icons and crisp graphics. However, lacking a dedicated home button for easy navigation was a notable shortfall, unlike Chevrolet's system. Sync 4 in newer Fords promised more refined functionality, which was anticipated for future Mustangs.

The 2020 Mustang Bullitt maintained a focus on the driving experience, minimizing intrusive safety features. It included a rearview camera, programmable MyKey, and optional blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert from the Electronics Package. In crashes, the Mustang earned Good ratings from IIHS in most areas and five stars in NHTSA tests.

By 2021, the Mustang added Ford’s standard Co-Pilot360 suite, encompassing automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams. Optional were advanced features like adaptive cruise control and parking sensors. The Mustang’s relatively good visibility compared favorably with the restricted views offered by competitors like the Challenger and Camaro.