Are Mustangs Rear Wheel Drive?

Given where you live, you have most likely seen a Mustang driving around in your neighborhood, town, or city. The Mustang is one of the most well-known sports cars available to the public. If you want to get into one of these iconic rides, you must know if the Mustang is right for you. While a Mustang is not the most desirable car for icy or slick conditions, it is built with performance in mind.

Today, we will look at what kind of powertrain this popular Pony car came with and whether or not it's suited for you.

Yes, every generation Mustang is rear-wheel drive every year. However, in 2021, Ford announced the all-new Mustang Mach-E, changing the game on the Mustang drivetrain. Before we dive too far into this drivetrain change, let's look at the history of the RWD Mustang.

Since the '60s, the Mustang has kept up significant changes and styling throughout the year. The body, engine, etc., has changed, but Ford has made sure not to change one thing: the drivetrain.

When you take a closer look, out of all the different trim packages available, the one thing that remains the same is that they are all rear-wheel drive (RWD). The EcoBoost, for example, boasts a 2.3L, 4-cylinder engine with excellent mpg fuel economy. You can choose between a 6-speed manual and 10-speed automatic options for transmission choices. What about the Mustang GT? The same goes for this spec compared to the EcoBoost, except the GT includes the 5.0L V8 powerhouse known as the Coyote. However, all the power is always sent to the car's rear. But how different is the GT500?

The current GT500 now offers a high-performance 760 horsepower 5.2L Supercharged Cross Plane Crank V8 engine with a specifically designed Tremec 7-speed Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission. Compared to the EcoBoost, these two models are unique, but one thing remains the same, they're both rear-wheel-drive cars.

But why did we bring up the Ford Mustang Mach E? Well, this brand new Mustang is much different from the rest. It is now a 4-door, all-electric SUV, and the Mach-E is available in all-wheel drive (AWD for short).

This wasn't very comforting for most Mustang enthusiasts, and the automotive industry is debating on whether it should carry the Mustang name. With such a rich heritage and history, the Mustang's name can now identify as two completely different vehicles. But for some, this isn't a bad thing. If you like the new design and live mainly in the city with icy or slick conditions throughout the year, the Mach-E could be very beneficial.

The AWD system will allow you to control the car without losing traction, and the all-electric design can help you save money by keeping the vehicle charged instead of sitting at the pump. Comparing the Mach-E to the Mustang or another muscle car (like the Dodge Challenger or Chevrolet Camaro), the design might be the most compatible for some owners!

There has been speculation that the next-gen S650 (predecessor to the current 2015-2023 S550 chassis) could include a package with an all-wheel drive. This has not yet been confirmed, but once more details of the S650 trickle in, we will be sure to update you.

Now, onto the good stuff. Racing always has and always will be competitive. But are RWD cars suitable for racing? It depends on the type of racing you are doing! There's drag racing, circuit/road course, and even drifting! There are front-wheel drive (FWD) road courses and drag racers, but you'll find most RWD.

The reason this is more common is due to when the car accelerates. When the engine and transmission send all the power through the driveshaft to the rear axle and the wheels, the weight is shifted to the rear. The weight will cause the car to gain more traction when this happens.

Then why would you want a front-wheel-drive car? Well, steering is more accessible in an FWD car. Not only will the front wheels steer, but they also move the vehicle simultaneously.

So which is better, you might be wondering? That's one of the biggest arguments when it comes to motor racing. They're both excellent designs, but RWD and FWD have pros and cons. It all comes down to what you like the most.