Zac Quinn 
Just a few days ago, it was discovered that Ford was raising the price of the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. We initially thought it was just another vehicle getting hit with the price increases that automakers have added to compensate for inflation. However, there’s another reason for the price increase of nearly $2,000 for the standard and premium editions of the performance-focused S650 Mustang.
EPA Tacks On Gas Guzzler Tax To Mustang GT, Dark Horse
The price for the base Mustang Dark Horse is now $59,270, a $1,300 increase from before, while the Premium model starts at $61,865, an increase of $1,700. These prices exclude destination fees. Remember that the car hasn’t even begun production yet, so the sudden increase is a big deal. Fortunately, there’s a valid reason for this, and it’s not because of inflation. According to the Mustang7G forum, the sudden increase is due to the Gas Guzzler Tax. The tax is primarily for Mustangs equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 with a manual transmission.
The manual-equipped GT variants have also seen an increase in their price. The GT Fastback and GT Premium Fastback are $1,000 more than before; by opting for the 10-speed automatic, the problem gets negated, though the price difference between the two models is much smaller than before. As for the EcoBoost, buyers have nothing to worry about as the four-cylinder Mustangs can’t be purchased with a manual transmission, which means the gas guzzler tax can’t affect the price.
The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse has a class-leading 500 horsepower and shares some engine parts with the 760-horsepower S550 Shelby GT500 Mustang. If customers opt for the GT instead, there’s a slight reduction of 20 ponies under the hood, which doesn’t seem like a significant trade-off. Still, considering all the performance additions to the Dark Horse, including a rear axle cooler, lightweight radiator, auxiliary engine oil cooler, and stronger cooling fans, it becomes clear that the Dark Horse is the better option if you’re planning on taking the car to the track.
