The Dark Horse offers striking looks but struggles with proportions and some dated design cues.
Performance is impressive yet compromised by ride harshness, affecting daily drivability.
Premium pricing isn’t fully justified over the base GT.

So, here’s the thing: I’m not generally a Mustang fan. Some of them—the special editions—have won me over in the past, like the Bullitt and Boss 302. But, the regular line-up has mostly missed the mark despite my numerous attempts always to appreciate the original Pony Car. I’d argue that the defunct 6^th generation Chevrolet Camaro was a far superior driver’s car than the ‘Stang. And, well, what about this new 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse? Well, it’s one of those cars I wanted to love, but I’m struggling with it. A mix of throwback design and modern performance, this car looks great on paper, but does it deliver on the road?

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse | Photo: Matt St-Pierre

The Styling Conundrum

Let’s start with the looks. The new seventh-generation Mustang, or the S650, doesn’t exactly light me up. Sure, it’s got a few angles where it catches the light just right, but the proportions don’t always work. The front overhang feels long, and the back end is too hefty. It’s like Ford’s trying to keep one foot in the past, which, let’s be honest, even the Corvette finally moved away from. That said, it does have some unique touches. For example, the Dark Horse-specific Blue Ember Metallic colour can shift from blue to black to purple in different lights—pretty neat if you’re into subtle flair. However, when looking at a starting price of $75,400, it starts to feel more like “nice but unnecessary.”

Inside the Dark Horse: Luxurious or Just Loud?

The interior is…well, it’s a typical Ford interior. The materials are an upgrade from Mustangs of the past, but it should deliver a more premium experience when you’re shelling out close to $90,000 as tested with all the added options. My test car came with the Dark Horse Premium Package, which, at a hefty price increase, includes some exclusive stitching and Karat seats. Are they comfortable? Yeah. But they don’t scream “$90K car,” and the tech isn’t flawless either. The substantial 13.2-inch central touchscreen is decent, running Sync 4, matched with a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, which isn’t the most intuitive. There’s lag on boot-up, especially for custom mode settings, which isn’t what you want in a performance-oriented setup.

And then there’s the ambient noise. The evaluated car suffered, or was it I, from a persistent dash rattle, which, after a while, really grated on me. The Mustang has always leaned into the ‘raw, no-nonsense’ vibe, but it shouldn’t give the impression that it was put together hastily. It’s possible this issue was isolated to the test unit.

Power and Precision with Caveats

Now, onto what’s under the hood. This is Ford’s most powerful naturally aspirated V8, with 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. Impressive, right? It sounds incredible, especially with the upgraded exhaust note. When you fire it up, there’s this visceral growl that, on first start, makes you think, “Yeah, this is why people love Mustangs.” But the thrill fades on longer drives. Maybe I am getting older, and it’s reasonable to say that the Dark Horse is NOT a long-distance cruiser. Fine, I’ll give you that.

The Dark Horse also gets Ford’s Magnetic Ride suspension and an optional handling package with Pirelli Trofeo tires. These are incredible on smooth tarmac, but Canada’s roads are far from pristine. The ride becomes harsh and twitchy on rougher surfaces—unexpectedly so for a magnetic damper setup, which usually balances firmness and comfort. On anything but perfect roads, the car almost seems like it’s fighting you, making it quite the handful when carving country roads.

Tracking this beast could have altered my approach. The massive brakes, Torsen limited-slip differential, and strong-man Tremec 6-speed manual transmission would have been better used. The same could be said for the electronic drift brake. The normal-looking hand-brake lever is an ideal switch for locking the rear wheels to set up a smooth drift. In daily use, make sure you come to a full stop when pulling the lever, as it instantly locks the wheels, which is a little shocking even at two or three km/h.

Is the Extra Price Worth It?

Here’s where things get tricky. The Dark Horse costs significantly more than the standard $50,000 GT. With the handling package and appearance upgrades, my test model cost $40,000 more with the handling package and appearance upgrades. Sure, you’re getting some extra performance, but is it that much better than a GT with a few aftermarket upgrades? Not necessarily. The extra dollars seem to go toward exclusivity rather than a transformative difference in driving dynamics. And if I’m honest, it feels like you’re paying for the name and some flashy extras more than anything.

A Love-Hate Relationship

So, where do I stand? The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse is an exhilarating but polarizing ride. It’s the last of its kind, with the Camaro and Challenger bowing out, leaving the Mustang as the sole ICE muscle cars standing. It feels like Ford has given this model permission to be loud and proud, yet, for all its bark, the bite doesn’t always satisfy.

Would I recommend it? The Dark Horse might be for you if you’re looking for a collector’s car to show off and keep in pristine condition. But if you’re after a thrilling, daily drivable performance car, I’d suggest considering the base GT or another, more well-rounded sports car.