Are Ford Mustangs Bad on Gas, and what is the Mileage of a Mustang?

Last Updated on February 14, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

Yes, Mustangs are gas guzzlers; thus, they are bad on gas, but they’re not as costly to maintain as you may imagine. A Ford Mustang is probably not a good fit if you seek the most cost-effective vehicle. The Mileage of a Mustang is 13.0 km per liter.

Key Takeaways

  • The exact mileage of a Ford Mustang mostly depends on the model, year of making, engine type, driving habits, etc.
  • The 2021 Ford Mustang has a mileage of 18-22 miles in the city and 22-31 miles on the highway
  • A Ford Mustang with a 5.0L V8 engine can get 16 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway
  • The modern Ford Mustang models come with more fuel-efficient engines and advanced technologies for better mileage

Is it Possible for Mustangs to Run on Regular Gas?

Mustangs to Run on Regular Gas

Yes, you can fill up your Mustang with regular gasoline. Some individuals may tell you that you must use premium Gas in a Mustang, but this is not because ordinary gas is harmful to your vehicle. Regular gas is perfectly OK; however, it will limit the output slightly, so you won’t be drawing as much horsepower as you would if you topped up with premium gas.

Is Premium Gas Required for Mustangs?

No, technically, your Mustang doesn’t require premium gas; it will run fine on standard 87 octane petrol, and missing the premium gas will not result in any mechanical problems. However, suppose you don’t use premium gas; in that case, you won’t be able to enjoy the full power of your vehicle, so if you want to experience the promised horsepower, give your Mustang that premium 93-octane gas.

How Far Can a Mustang Go on an Empty Tank of Gas?

Possibly 10 miles, but it’s not a good idea to drive any car when the gas gauge reads empty; filth builds up at the bottom of the tank, and when your engine draws it up, it can create a variety of issues, not to mention the risk of running out of petrol and breaking down! 

However, your tank typically has a few liters of petrol left after it proclaims itself empty, so you might conceivably get another 10 miles out of it in such a circumstance.

The Average Ford Mustang Mileage per Gallon

ModelTransmissionCity MileageHighway Mileage
The 1970s and 1980s modelsManual17MPG28MPG
Mustang GTManual15MPG25MPG
The 2019 EcoBoostAutomatic22MPG31MPG
Mustang V6Automatic18MPG28MPG

Is it True that Mustangs Get Poor Gas Mileage?

A new Mustang with a lightweight engine will be able to achieve a good average mpg. With a combined 25 miles per gallon rating, it’s on par with the national average for all vehicles. You can obtain even more miles per gallon by implementing several tactics.

Which Mustang Has a Better MPG (Miles Per Gallon)?

Which Mustang Has a Better MPG

Choose the 2019 Mustang EcoBoost for the most incredible MPG. The automatic 2019 EcoBoost is the way to go if you seek the most fuel-efficient Mustang. This vehicle will offer you a good 22 mpg in the city and an impressive 31 mpg on the interstate.

Surprisingly, several historic Mustangs from the 1970s and 1980s have similar ratings, so don’t be offended if you’re looking for a retro model with exceptional Mileage. The base engine gets 17 city/28 highway mpg when paired with the manual transmission.

These figures are improved by the automatics, which achieves 21/32 mpg. A manual transmission Mustang GT will get you 15/25 mpg.

How Can You Improve Your Mustang’s Gas Mileage?

The Mustang isn’t designed to be driven efficiently, but there are a few things you can do to save money on gas.

  • Slow Down: Going beyond 60 mph consumes more gas.
  • Get Rid of the Trash: A large car consumes more gas, so ensure you’re not dragging too much stuff in the trunk.
  • Avoid Idle Time: Idle time is a waste of petrol, so turn off the engine while waiting.
  • Check Your Tires: If your tires are under-inflated, you’ll use more petrol.
  • Use the proper oil: If you use the wrong oil for your vehicle, you may waste more gas.
  • Examine Your Air Purifier: A clogged air filter might lead to an increase in gas consumption. A clean filter can improve your fuel economy by up to 10%.

Gas mileage of the EcoBoost Mustang vs. the V6 Mustang

Compared to the V6, the EcoBoost consumes less gas. For those who wish to own a Mustang but don’t want to spend a lot of money on gas, the 4-cylinder EcoBoost is a good option. 

You’ll get around 22 mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway, compared to 18/28 for the V6. While the EcoBoost is slower from 0-60 (5.3 seconds vs. 6.3 for the V6), it has a surprising power with 310 brake horsepower.

Gas mileage of a Mustang V6 vs. Mustang V8

In comparison to the V6, the V8 consumes more gas. The V8 engine consumes more fuel than the six-cylinder V6 engine since it has two more cylinders, so if your Mustang has a V8 engine, it will consume more gas.

What’s the trade-off? You’ll consume more gas and have greater power. This is something to consider if you’re in the market for a Mustang, but the allure of the increased acceleration and the unmistakable V8 growl is irresistible!

Gas Mileage of a Mustang vs. a Civic

The Civic gets significantly better gas mileage than the Mustang. While the Ford Mustang and the Honda Civic are excellent, they differ. It likely won’t surprise you that the Civic is the way to go if you’re looking for a car with minimal operating costs. 

A Civic can get up to 81 mpg on the interstate with careful driving. It can easily manage 45 mpg, making it far more economical than the Mustang, which averages around 25 mpg.

What exactly is the Life Expectancy in Miles of a Ford Mustang?

Ford Mustangs are highly durable if properly maintained, though they have a high gas-consuming ride. These automobiles are capable of lasting 200,000 miles without breaking down. The ultimate determinants of longevity are riding habits and maintenance.

If you’re a frequent driver, you’ll probably drive your car roughly 30,000 miles annually on average. Many people drive significantly fewer miles in a year, and the maximum number of miles that many people could travel in a year would be around 50,000.

If you properly maintain your Ford Mustang, you may expect it to last up to 300,000 miles before experiencing any severe troubles. That does not imply that it will just cease working once it reaches that distance.

If you maintain it properly and your model is exceptionally sturdy, it may last a million miles or more, although this is unlikely to occur in practice.

Conclusion

Ford mustangs don’t score highly on fuel usage. These cars are fuel guzzlers, but you can opt for a Mustang with a 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, as it consumes less fuel than its V6 and V8 counterparts. Nonetheless, Fuel consumption is compensated by the power you’ll get back from your Mustang.

If you crave a car with better fuel economy, please, steer away from the Mustang and consider another option.

Reference 1: Ford Mustang Gas Mileage (Ultimate Guide) – MotorAsk

Reference 2: Ford Mustang Reliability and Common Problems – In The Garage with CarParts.com