What kind of engine is in a Ford Mustang?
The modern Ford Mustang draws power primarily from two engine families: a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, with high-performance variants using a larger 5.2-liter V8 (including a supercharged version for the GT500 and a high-revving 5.2L in the GT350 lineage).
Current engine lineup in the latest Mustang
A quick guide to the core powertrains you’ll find under the hood of today’s Mustang. Exact outputs vary by model year and trim, but these are the main options Ford offers in recent generations.
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4
- 5.0-liter V8 (Coyote) — naturally aspirated
- 5.2-liter V8 variants — used in high-performance models, including a flat-plane-crank version in the GT350 lineage and a supercharged version in the GT500
In short, the EcoBoost four-cylinder serves as the efficient mainstream option, the 5.0-liter V8 is the enduring performance core, and the 5.2-liter family powers Ford’s most extreme Mustangs, including track-focused editions.
2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 turbocharged engine
This engine uses turbocharging and direct injection to deliver strong mid-range torque while prioritizing daily usability and efficiency. It’s the standard choice for the EcoBoost trims and is tuned with various packages to balance performance and fuel economy.
5.0-liter Coyote V8
The 5.0-liter V8 has long been the backbone of the Mustang’s performance identity. It’s a naturally aspirated, multi-valve V8 that emphasizes a broad powerband, a satisfying exhaust note, and straightforward aftermarket potential. In the current lineup, it fuels the Mustang GT and related performance variants with emphasis on everyday drivability and straight-line speed.
5.2-liter V8 variants
The 5.2-liter family covers two high-performance paths. The GT350’s lineage used a high-revving 5.2L V8 with a flat-plane crank (the Voodoo engine), celebrated for its track-oriented response. The GT500 steps up with a supercharged 5.2L V8 (often nicknamed the Predator), delivering extreme power and acceleration, tuned for drag strips and road courses alike.
Historical engines that powered Mustangs through the years
Ford’s Mustang has a long engine history, spanning inline-sixes, small-block V8s, and a range of modern powerplants. The following snapshots reflect major milestones that shaped the model’s performance image.
- Early inline-sixes and small-block V8s (1960s–1970s) — combinations of inline-six and compact V8s helped establish Mustang’s performance roots.
- Classic 5.0-liter era and modular V8s (1980s–1990s) — the 5.0 and related modular V8 families became synonymous with Mustang power during this period.
- 3.7-liter “Cyclone” V6 and later EcoBoost introduction (2010s) — Ford shifted toward more efficient powertrains, paving the way for turbocharged options.
- EcoBoost era and 5.0 V8 coexistence (2015–present) — today’s Mustang typically offers a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-4 for efficiency and a 5.0L V8 for performance, with the GT350/GT500 variants adding 5.2L-based, high-performance setups.
These shifts reflect Ford’s effort to balance everyday usability with high-performance capability, while expanding the Mustang’s appeal to a broader audience and meeting evolving emissions and efficiency standards.
What engine means for Mustang buyers today
For most buyers, the choice comes down to two practical paths: the 2.3-liter EcoBoost for daily driving with good efficiency and a lively turbo feel, or the 5.0-liter V8 for a more classic Mustang experience with strong straight-line performance. Enthusiasts seeking ultimate track-ready power can opt for the GT350’s 5.2L V8 family or the GT500’s supercharged 5.2L for peak performance on the street and in competition.
Summary
The Ford Mustang today is powered mainly by two engines—the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 and the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8—with high-performance variants built around a 5.2-liter V8 family (including a supercharged version for the GT500 and a high-revving, flat-plane-crank variant associated with the GT350 lineage). Over its history, Mustang engines have evolved from early inline-sixes and small-block V8s to a modern lineup that blends efficiency with unrelenting performance.
