Millennial Mom’s Review: 2021 Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible

Article content

Of course, the week that I was destined to drive the 2021 Ford Mustang convertible would be predicted to be the rainiest week ever: rain every single day. I nevertheless refreshed the weather app every few hours, because those predictions change so frequently.

Article content

Naturally, I was excited to drive the Mustang, especially after testing so many SUVs in the recent past. However, it’s important to note that — just like the SUVs — I tested it as my family car for the week. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews, you know I have three little kids, and including me and my husband, we’ve already reached a number of occupants that won’t fit in this four-seater convertible.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Millennial Mom’s Review: 2021 Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible Back to video

I get it. It’s a performance car. It’s meant to perform and be appreciated for its ability to — boost in an eco, premium type-of-way, right?

Though it has four seats, it’s clearly meant to be a car for two people. The very limited space in the back (742 mm of legroom, though it looked like 7 mm) meant I could not ever leave the house with my whole family. Driving the Mustang for a week meant I never had to be in charge of all three kids at once; leaving the house was like a mini-vacation.

Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions

View All 14 Photos

1 of 14

All 14 Photos for Gallery

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 

Function Not Available

Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.

You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.

OK

Article content

And that’s precisely the reason it’s not a horrible car for families with young kids whose legs are currently short enough to fit somewhat comfortably. And once they no longer fit, well, too bad. I figure that’ll mean a) they’re at an age where they don’t want to go anywhere with me; b) they’re driving themselves around (not in my Mustang); or c) suck it up, buttercup, we’re going out.

Anyway, on the day I picked up the Mustang (a $56,970 tester that includes a $6,500 2.3L High Performance Package) it was disappointingly rainy. Fortunately, my luck quickly changed, and the weather was supposed to be rain-free for a couple days; it wasn’t going to be warm and sunny, but it was good enough to experience the top down.

Article content

School Pick-up

On one of those warmish days, I took the Mustang to pick up my kids from school. I threw their backpacks and jackets in the surprisingly spacious trunk (323 L, which doesn’t sound like much, but it’s flat, which already makes it way better than 323 L of vertical cargo space in a three-row SUV) and then told them to get in. I’m not tall, but the driver’s seat was squishing my daughter’s legs. So, she swapped seats with my son who fit a bit better behind me, and we moved the empty front passenger’s seat forward.

Once comfortably seated, we turned the handle on the roof; pressed the button to release the top, which also winds down the cute little back windows; and we were finally ready to go.

I really wish I had recorded their reactions. The sheer excitement is reason alone to want a convertible, or to at least do a yearly test drive. They were beyond thrilled, with Nathan screaming “Melody! Your hair is all crinkly like when you use that thing that blows air!” (He means a blow dryer.)

Article content

As soon as the engine was off, the seat started rolling back. It’s convenient for the average person driving and makes it easier to get out of the car, but it’s also squishing the legs of my little passengers in the back! Another indication that it’s not meant for passengers in the back.

Side note: with my husband seated in the driver’s seat, there was absolutely no room for anyone ’s legs in the back seat.

Daily Driver

If you’re running errands and making multiple stops — well, save yourself the frustration and just don’t do that in the Mustang.

You’ll lose your, uh — starts with ‘s’, ends with ‘hit,’ after strapping the kids into their seats a few times. I also bonked my kid’s head trying to get her into the car seat. Note to self: just put the roof down; it’s a lot easier that way, and probably less painful, for both of us.

Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image

1. 

2. 

Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions

View All 2 Photos

1 of 2

All 2 Photos for Gallery

1. 
2. 

Function Not Available

Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.

You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.

OK

Article content

In normal mode, it feels like I’m driving a really heavy SUV that struggling to move. In sport – and then even moreso in track mode – it’s like the car gets increasingly lighter, and louder. So what do you prefer? A heavy SUV, or a loud Mustang that draws attention?

Interesting Features

If you’re unfortunate enough to experience rain while driving the Mustang, it’s important to note that the switch for the wipers is annoying. It’s backwards. It’s on the correct side — it’s not a Mercedes, after all — but if you want to turn your wipers on, flick the switch up . I’m so used to the flick up being a single wipe, but not in this car, it’s not. It’s the opposite.

Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions

View All 6 Photos

1 of 6

All 6 Photos for Gallery

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 

Function Not Available

Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.

You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.

OK

Article content

I’m not a fan of the switch panel. My husband likes it; to each their own. I just don’t like that it’s pretending to be something it’s not. At the end of the day, it’s not a race car I’d be taking to the track, so why do we need pretend switches that could have been buttons (hazard lights) or knobs (driving and steering modes)? The switches are annoying and pointless, in my opinion.

And finally, there’s a CD player (an extra $1,000) that I almost missed because it takes up the most minimal amount of space (right above the climate control buttons) — and left me wondering why other vehicles can’t fit one in so sneakily. I’m just sad it wasn’t hot enough for me to break out the old Spice Girls albums to bump with the top down.

Final Thoughts

It’s definitely not the best family-hauler for more than a few reasons, but again, we all know it’s not meant to haul families!

Article content

It’s also not meant to excite or satisfy anyone with its fuel economy. It’s estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 10.7 L/100 km (12.1 city, 8.9 highway) but while driving it, I never saw it dip below 12.3 L/100 km. That’s pretty high, considering many of the big SUVs, with much more space for families, have better fuel economy, and I’m not even considering the hybrids.

Overall, I didn’t mind it. It’s not a winter car, yet people in Canada still buy it. They cruise around in the warmer months and store it somewhere safe during the cold winters. It’s not a family car, but it’s still fun for families. Realistically speaking, if I had extra storage space (and more money) I’d buy one for the sheer enjoyment of taking the kids out occasionally. However, that would mean any convertible could do the job — provided it has second-row seats, preferably three.