Cargazing
By Derek Price
The 2025 Ford Mustang GT Convertible represents something increasingly precious in today’s automotive landscape: an unapologetic celebration of American muscle car mythology.
With competitors like the Camaro discontinued and the Challenger transitioning to electrification, this $72,245 drop-top stands as the final guardian of V8-powered pony car tradition.
The visual impact of the seventh-generation Mustang deserves recognition. Ford’s designers accomplished the seemingly impossible task of modernizing an icon without neutering its identity.
The proportions remain unmistakably Mustang — long hood, short deck, muscular haunches — while contemporary details keep it from looking like a retro pastiche.
The seventh-generation Mustang’s design evolution successfully modernizes the classic pony car formula while preserving the distinctive proportions that make it instantly recognizable.
Whether parked or moving, it announces its presence with confidence that borders on swagger.
The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is the soul of this experience. With 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, it delivers the kind of immediate, visceral response that defines American performance.
The sound track proves equally compelling — a deep rumble at idle that builds to a full-throated roar under acceleration. Yet highway cruising reveals surprising refinement, with the active exhaust system managing to provide drama on demand without punishing occupants during long drives.
The 10-speed automatic transmission handles the power delivery competently, though it occasionally exhibits a slight whine at certain speeds that intrudes on the otherwise polished experience.
Whether this represents intentional muscle car character or an engineering compromise remains unclear, but it’s noticeable enough to mention.
The cabin blends retro Mustang cues with contemporary technology, creating an environment that honors the car’s heritage while meeting modern expectations for comfort and connectivity.
The convertible configuration adds another dimension to the experience. With the top down, the Mustang becomes a rolling celebration of American automotive culture.
The pricing structure reveals the Mustang’s evolution from accessible performance to aspirational dream machine.
While the base EcoBoost model still offers relatively attainable entry, the GT convertible with desirable options pushes into serious money territory. The performance value remains compelling — few alternatives deliver this combination of power, style and heritage — but the days of cheap muscle are clearly over.
The Mustang GT succeeds because it remains true to its fundamental mission: providing an emotional driving experience that transcends mere transportation. In an era of increasing automotive homogenization, it offers something genuinely different: a connection to American performance tradition wrapped in modern sophistication.
At A Glance
WHAT WAS TESTED?
2025 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium ($56,580). Options: Premier Group 401A ($2,900), premium paint ($395), B&O sound system ($995), GT performance package ($5,445), Mustang Nite Pony Package ($1,295), floor mats ($200), red calipers ($750), active valve exhaust ($1,595), red seat belt ($495). Price as tested (including $1,595 destination charge): $72,245
BY THE NUMBERS
Wheelbase: 107 in.
Length: 189.4 in.
Width: 81.9 in.
Height: 54.8 in.
Engine: 5.0-liter V8 (480 hp, 415 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
MPG: 16 city, 24 highway
RATINGS
Style: 10
Performance: 9
Price: 5
Handling: 7
Ride: 7
Comfort: 7
Quality: 7
Overall: 8
WHY BUY IT?
The 2025 Ford Mustang GT Convertible delivers authentic American muscle car experience with modern refinement, representing the last of its breed in an increasingly electrified world.