The Ford Mustang has a rich history that dates all the way back to the 1962 Ford Mustang I two-seater concept. It wasn’t until mid-1964 that it was introduced in production form (just two weeks after Plymouth introduced the first Barracuda) and has been in production ever since, with the sixth-generation model, the model you see here, being introduced in 2015. For one reason or another, we haven’t had a chance to get our hands on a sixth-gen model, but all that has changed now, and we happened to be graced with the 2019 Ford Mustang GT Convertible. With the bright green pony car sitting in our parking lot, we couldn’t wait to drive it. And, despite the fact that we had a whole week to get acquainted, we got right to putting the GT Convertible, and its 5.0-liter V-8 to the test.

Does it compete well with the Chevy Camaro Convertible? What about, on the other end of the spectrum, the BMW 4 Series Cabriolet? Well, this is our experience and what we thought about it. Strap in folks, this is going to be one long ride.

2019 Ford Mustang GT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Ford Mustang GT
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 460 @ 7500
  • Torque: 420 @ 4600
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Ford Mustang GT Convertible Exterior Design

- Sporty, muscular desing - Some hisotical DNA - flat stance could be raked for better appearance - 20-inch wheels look better than 19-inch wheels - GT Performance Pack is a nice addition

Like other convertibles on the market, the Mustang GT Convertible is identical to the couple from which it is derived. It features the same sporty front end with a big massive radiator grille that serves as home for the pony emblem. The corner vents have integrated fog lights that lend a more elegant look to the front. That elegant look helps to make up for the air dam below that’s half open and half plastic. The bubbly hood up above, however, blends in well with the sexy headlights, while the vents on the hood add a hint of aggressiveness.

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The side profile carries the same general look as the couple below the beltline. However, with the convertible top down, the Mustang GT Convertible has a weird, elongated look to it. It’s simply because of the lack of B- and C-pillars, and it is a little hard to get used to when you’re used to looking at a coupe. I should also point out that with the top down, it becomes painfully evident that the Mustang GT has a flatter stance to it than the models that came before it. A small rake toward the rear would give the convertible model a more dominating stance, that’s for sure. We’re not a fan of the weird smooth area in the upper body line above the rear wheel well, but that’s easy enough to get over.

The rear end of the Mustang GT Convertible is everything you’d expect it to be. It matches its coupe brethren as you’d expected and we’re still quite fond of the triple element rear taillights. It is a little weird that the license plate recess is nearly identical to the radiator grille up front, but we’re just nitpicking at this point. There is a sporty diffuser-like element down below, and we have to praise Ford for its unique placement of the reverse light. It’s a great design cue, and it’s in a place where you don’t even notice it.

How Big is the Ford Mustang GT Convertible

The Ford Mustang is considered a mid-size car and measures 188.5 inches in length, making it 0.2 inches longer than the Chevy Camaro and 5.8-inches longer than the BMW 4 Series. As far as width goes, the Mustang GT Convertible measure 81.9-inches wide, significantly more than the Camaro Convertible at 74.7 inches and the 4 Series Convertible at 71.9 inches. In terms of garage space needed, the Mustang GT Convertible can fit in a larger single-car garage, but in most cases it’s a tight fit, and you won’t be able to open the rather long doors all of the way. It can work if you don’t store a lot on the sides of your garage, but a 1.5- or two-car garage is really recommended for comfort. Other dimensions for the Mustang GT and the competitors we’re considering are in the table below.

Ford Mustang GT vs competition

Length

188.5

188.3

182.7

Width

81.9

74.7

71.9

Height

54.9

53.1

54.5

Wheelbase

107.1

110.7

110.6

Front Track

62.4

62.5

60.8

Rear Track

65.1

63.7

62.7


Ford Mustang GT Convertible Interior Design

- Plenty of room up front - Rear seats far from spacious - Front seats could be more supportive - Some trim comes off as cheap\flimsy - limited cargo room but better than Chevy Camaro

Take the trim on the face of the dash that tries really hard to mimic – to some extent – a weird carbon fiber or the plastic bezel around the infotainment system and HVAC controls, for instance.

These various pieces of plastic, including the vents on the dash, various pieces on the door and rear quarter trim, and the plastic on the seats all feel very cheap – almost like something you’d expect to find in a Ford Fiesta or even a Volkswagen Polo.

In terms of space, as a front passenger, you’ll find that you have a lot of room but, if you’re in the back, you’ll be ready to jump out at 50-mph within a matter of minutes. A family of four can find the Mustang GT suitable for short trips, but once the kids get beyond middle-school age, forget about it. The other thing to point out here is that the front seats aren’t exactly as supportive as you’d expect for a muscle car. We had the feeling that we were sitting on top of the seat as opposed to in it – something you really expect from a car at this price point.

The latter isn’t bad at this price point, but it could be much better. The steering wheel feels relatively comfortable and does have a rather vintage look to it (albeit with a few buttons), but with the steering wheel in certain positions, it can be hard to see the entire instrument cluster. Not a deal-breaker, of course, but it’s certainly not something we’d write home about either. The other really annoying thing about the Mustang GT Convertible, specifically, is the fact that the hinges for the convertible top are always visible with the top down. Mercedes and BMW, for example, have found a way to integrate a flap that covers this, but on the Mustang there is nothing of the sort, and it’s downright ugly when you’re looking near the rear quarters from the outside. It’s not really noticeable inside the car, though, so maybe it won’t bother you as much.

Ford Mustang GT vs competition - interior dimensions

Front Headroom

37.6

38.4

40.4

Front Shoulder Room

56.3

55

55.3

Front Legroom

45.1

43.9

42.2

Rear Headroom

35.7

33.4

37.1

Rear Shoulder room

52.2

TBD

49.8

Rear Legroom

29.2

29.9

33.1


For Mustang GT Convertible Infotainment System

If you were a victim of Ford’s original Sync system or even Sync 2, then we can’t blame you if you’re on the fence about Sync 3 – we were too. And, to be honest, the Sync 3 in our Mustang GT Convertible was outrageously boring in terms of graphics and user interface. Seriously; the best this thing offers is a boring blue and white-ish gray color scheme. It’s performance, on the other hand, is fair. Unfortunately, using Android Auto is a real pain in the ass and can only be done via cable, and even then, it was a nightmare to get it to work. Otherwise, the system functions as well as you would expect. Unlike other automaker systems, though, you can’t read e-mails while connected. You can read text messages, but that’s as far as it goes. For now, the Sync 3 system is tolerable, but there are many better systems out there, and we can’t blame you if it’s a deal-breaker - it is quite unimagined and really a mixed bag.

A nine-speaker system with integrated amplifier comes as standard equipment here along with the Sync 3 system. This setup also includes SiriusXM compatibility (subscription required), FordPass, FordPass Connect, and two USB Ports. You can, however, opt for a B&O sound system from Bang and Olufsen with 12 speakers and a subwoofer (this takes up some of your cargo room) and you can have voice-activated navigation as well.

Ford Mustang GT Convertible Cargo Room

As a midsize muscle car or even sports car, the Mustang GT doesn’t exactly have an excessive amount of cargo room anyway. That’s a lot more than the Camaro Convertible’s 7.3 cubic-feet but less than the 4 Series Convertible’s 13.1 cubic-feet. There are no official figures for how much cargo room you’ll get with the top down, but it’s pretty common to lose 3-5 cubic-feet on convertible coupes like this.

Ford Mustang GT Convertible and Car Seats

Don’t even think about putting a car seat in the back of a Mustang GT. You might be able to fit a booster seat in the rear, but there’s a reason that most people consider the rear seat a formality and use it as more of a shelf than a place to put people. If you do manage to cram a car seat back there, it’ll have to be on the passenger side with the front seat slid forward. Are there anchor points in there? Honestly, we’re not sure because we didn’t think to look given the car’s nature and purpose. If you have to haul little ones around, get a mustang, but get yourself a family car too.

Ford Mustang GT Convertible Performance

- 5.0-liter V-8 - 460 HP @ 7,500 RPM - 420 LB-FT @ 4,600 RPM - 60 MPH in 4.2 Sec - Six-speed manual prefered - 10-speed auto is sluggish, upshifts too soon - Topspeed: 155 mph - Weight: 3,891 LBS - Fuel Economy: 15/24/18 mpg

The Ford Mustang is a muscle car at its core, and it always has been. That same philosophy and DNA has carried over from the very first Mustang into every single generation (even the generation that was almost front-wheel drive.) The same holds true for the sixth-gen Mustang GT Convertible that we were fortunate enough to test. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, the latter of which is the best option as the 10-speed automatic isn’t necessarily sluggish but upshifts way too early most of the time – so much so that you’ll end up in ninth-gear at 40 mph.

Ford Mustang GT vs competition - drivetrain specifications

Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Chevy Camaro Convertible

BMW 4 Series Convertible

Engine

5.0-liter V-8

6.2-liter V-8

2.0-liter four-cylinder

Transmission

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

8-speed shiftable automatic

Power Output

460 @ 7,500 rpm

455 hp @ 6000 rpm

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque

420 lb.-ft. @ 4,600 rpm

455 ft-lbs. @ 4400 rpm

258 ft-lbs. @ 1450 rpm

Driveline

Rear wheel drive

Rear wheel drive

Rear wheel drive

Fuel

Gas

Gas

Gas

Fuel Capacity

16.0 gal

19 gal

15.8

Fuel Economy

15/24/18 City/Hwy/ Combined mpg

16/24/19

24/34/27 mpg

0-60 mph

4.2

4.1

6.1

Top Speed

155 mph

155 mph

130 mph

Suspension

Four-Wheel Independent Suspension

MacPherson-type strut with dual lower ball joints, twin-tube struts and direct-acting stabilizer bar; specific tuning for 1LE packages/Independent five-link with twin-tube shocks and direct-acting stabilizer bar; specific tuning for 1LE packages

Four-Wheel Independent Suspension

Steering

Three-mode electric power-assisted rackand-pinion steering (EPAS) with pull-drift compensation and active nibble control

ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable ratio rack-and-pinion

Electric Power Steering

Turning Circle

37.8 ft. (18-in., 19-in. A/S tires); 40.0 ft. (20-in. A/S tires)

38.1 / 11.6

37.1 ft.

Front Tire Size

19 in. x 8.5 in. 255/40R W A/S; 20 in. x 9.0 in. 265/35R W A/S

P245/50R18 all-season

225/45 front and rear

Rear Tire Size

19 in. x 9.0 in. 255/40R

P245/50R18 all-season

225/45 front and rear


Back to the point at hand, The Mustang GT Convertible can hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds before topping out at 155 mph. The four-wheel independent suspension allows for decent stability and smoothness on the road, but it’s far from perfect. The same can be said for the fuel economy which is, suffice it to say, not quite as good as that offered by the Chevy Camaro. You’ll get 15 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and about 18 mpg combined – that’s about 1 mpg less all the way around compared to the Camaro.

Ford Mustang GT Convertible Driving Impressions

We’ll come right out and say that the transition into the sixth-generation back in 2015 was a big deal for the mustang. It became more comfortable, featured better styling, and – for the first time – it featured rear independent suspension. The Mustang became more sophisticated in a sense while its performance capabilities eased up a notch as well. And, that’s where we’ll start here.

The Mustang GT’s 460-horsepower V-8 provides ample power, get-up-and-go, and could even get you in trouble if you’re not careful (don’t end up like those idiots leaving cars and coffee.) If you have the automatic transmission, you’ll find that the car feels like a turd and is underpowered, though, as the 10-speed automatic that handles shifting duties is like the world’s most anal grandmother. By that, I mean that it upshifts way too early, making it very difficult to actually tap into all that available horsepower and torque. One of our staff member’s owns a 2015 model, and she claims that it will lodge itself in ninth gear as early as 40 mph….sigh. It’s also very slow to downshift.

Fortunately, for us, we had the six-speed manual transmission, and boy what a treat that was. Not only does this make us feel like we have more control over the Mustang, but it also makes this convertible so much more fun to drive. The clutch is smooth and predictable, but it does take some getting used to if you’re more familiar with Mercedes or BMW manual transmission – or anything with a clutch that was built before 2010 or so. Shifting was rather smooth and effortless, however, it feels like there’s a little too much throw between gears. A short-shifter here would be ideal, and it would make driving a little more pleasurable on the spirited end of things.

As far as handling goes, you’ll find that the GT convertible isn’t the best at this job. It does handle some spirited driving well, but you can tell this is a drop-top the second you starting hitting bumps has the car does have that lack-of-rigidity shake. It’s not a death wobble or anything like that, but it does remind you that the body is capable of tweaking more without pillar and roof support. The ride itself in standard form is rather cushiony – much more so that we suspected. We’ve been told that the performance suspension package makes the ride harsher (and more up to our expectations), but the standard ride isn’t horrible. Its ride isn’t brittle, so to speak, but it’s not a floaty ride like you find in the challenger and charger, for instance.

In the comfort department, we were pretty happy. Our tester had the ventilated seats and, we have to admit, they worked pretty well after our test was left sitting in the sun with the top down for an hour. Cabin noise isn’t bad, especially for a mustang, but the exhaust is a bit unpredictable. The exhaust is rather quiet at low speed or when idling but if you get on it, that active exhaust opens up, and it sounds amazing. However, it can get a little annoying after a while if you’re really not into it. At highway speeds, wind, ending, and road noise is handled well. It’s still present but not overwhelming and, the best part is, the exhaust note chills out just a little bit to give you that classic muscle car hum, and it’s blissful.

The back seat makes a great optional storage area since you can’t put anything but smaller humans back there anyway so it works out. Despite the lack of cargo room (it’s still better than the Camaro Convertible) we were able to cram our large suitcase in the back. Loading it was kind of a pain in the ass because the trunk opening is oddly shaped and the truck sits at such an angle but, with a little effort, finesse, and a few curses or prayers, you will get it in there.

Ford Mustang GT Pricing

The Mustang GT Convertible might not come cheap, but it is cheaper, at least from the start, than more premium models on the market. It beats out the 4 Series Convertible by nearly $8,000 but is about $1,100 more expensive than the Chevy Camaro Convertible in 2SS Trim. The Mustang GT can be had with a ton of options, though, and that $45,000 convertible can quite easily inch closer to the $60,000 mark. It doesn’t quite get there, but it does come close. A max-specced model tallies up to $58,520, including destination and acquisition fee, the latter of which is a charge Ford hits you with to “cover the cost of acquiring and servicing the account.” We suggest you negotiate this out of the price regardless of how you spec the model. As for a list of available options here’s everything you can pick from that will cost you extra, according to Ford’s Mustang configurator as of today’s date:

Ford Mustang GT Convertible Competition

Chevy Camaro 2SS Convertible

Naturally, you want to look to the Chevy Camaro as a competitor for the Mustang, and the 2SS convertible is a prime candidate for cross-shopping. Under its hood sits a 6.2-liter V-8 and, while it displaces more than one liter more than Ford’s V-8, it delivers 5 fewer horses, being good for just 455 horsepower. However, that larger engine comes with a more muscular exhaust tone, as some would argue, and 455 pound-feet of torque – 35 more than you get with the Ford Mustang Convertible. It, too, is rear-wheel drive, so it’s a blast to drive and will actually get to 60 mph quicker (based on manufacturer numbers) by 0.1 seconds (4.1 seconds vs. 4.2 seconds in the Mustang.) Our Mustang Convertible tester made the sprint in 4.6 seconds, though, so the Camaro could be, in theory, a half-second faster in the same sprint.

Where the Mustang has four-wheel independent suspension, the Camaro relies on a MacPherson strut system with dual lower ball-joints. It’s a little more complex, but word has it that the Camaro handles a little better in some situations. Of course, that’s open to debate, and we couldn’t tell the difference, but to each their own. Where the Mustang comes standard with 18-inch wheels, the Camaro gets 19-inch rollers and, we have to admit, they actually look really nice on the Camaro Convertible. The Camaro is marginally shorter than the Mustang, but its width is 7.2-inches less than what the Mustang offers which means the Mustang offers more interior space in terms of shoulder- and hip room. The Camaro’s cargo capacity is laughable in comparison, and even the smaller 4 Series Convertible beats it out (7.3 cubic-feet in the Camaro vs. 13.1 cubic-feet in the 4 Series or 11.4 cubic-feet in the Mustang.)

The Camaro manages to achieve 16 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined – that’s about 1 mpg better all of the way around compared to the Mustang. Pricing for the Camaro Convertible starts out at $32, 495 compared to $32,170 for the Mustang EcoBoost (both are four-cylinders) but our GT tester competes with the Camaro Convertible 2SS which starts out at $43,995, just marginally cheaper than the Mustang GT Convertible.

Read our full review on the Chevy Camaro 2SS Convertible

BMW 430i Convertible

Now, the BMW 4 Series is considered more of a sports car, and it’s some $8,000 more expensive, but we feel like it’s good out-of-the-box thinking to provide it as a significant competitor as well. It resides more in the luxury and sports car segment than the Mustang Convertible does, but at the same time, it might be worth considering. I’ll come right out and say that it’s not faster than either the Camaro or the Mustang, but if you’re speccing out either of the muscle cars, and you don’t care as much about performance, you might find the 4 Series Convertible an enticing choice – especially if you’re interested more in fuel economy.

The 4 Series Convertible, in 430i form, is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s good for 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It sends all of its power to the rear wheels as well, but you can opt for all-wheel drive which will, suffice it to say, improve handling to some degree. Fuel economy is significantly better than either of the muscle cars here, but the 430i does boast that four-cylinder engine. So, you end up getting 24 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. As such, if you want a convertible that’s great on gas and amenities, but not in terms of performance, then the 4 Series Convertible is your boy.

In terms of performance, you’re looking at a 6.1-second sprint to 60 mph, however, there are reports that it can get there in less than six seconds in some situations in the right conditions. Pricing for the 4 Series Convertible starts out at $53,100, so it’s significantly more expensive than either of the muscle cars showcased here, but it comes equipped much better in terms of materials and amenities without having to jump into the options list.

Read our full review on the BMW 430i Convertible

Is the Ford Mustang GT Convertible Right For Me?

The truth is that the Ford Mustang GT Convertible is aimed towards those without families or those that have a family car sitting in the garage and want something more for themselves on the weekends or daily commute. While a small family of four can fit in the Mustang Convertible, putting a car seat in there is a real nightmare and affects comfort on multiple levels. If your kids are beyond the car seat stage, then you’ll be okay, just remember that there really isn’t a lot of space in there. If you want a car that performs admirably well, can handle some spirited driving, and looks good with the top down, then the Mustang GT Convertible is a good option to consider. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose between it, and it’s main competition, the Camaro Convertible 2SS. We suggest that you test drive both before making a decision – you need to determine which car’s unique personality suits you better.

Final Thoughts

The Ford Mustang is a muscle car at its core, and it’s meant to be a driver’s car through and through. It lives up to the expectation with good driving dynamics, decent power and performance, and a fairly comfortable ride, especially for a car with no structural support above the waistline. Some of the Mustang’s interior materials feel cheap or flimsy but, for the most part, the Mustang has moved more into the premium segment in its sixth-generation, and the latest visual update gives it a slightly better appearance. With its only true competition being the Chevy Camaro Convertible, the Mustang GT Convertible doesn’t have to try hard to stand out, yet somehow it does – at least in its own way, anyway. It offers up enough uniqueness to differentiate itself from the competition while at the same time remaining somewhat true to the roots it set way back in the mid-1960s. Should you buy a Mustang GT Convertible? Well, if that’s what you’re into then by all means – it’s either this or the Mustang Convertible – unless you want to go for something a little more German or British, that is.