How different are the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium and the Ford Mustang Dark Horse? Our comparison guide helps you figure out which model has more of what you want from Ford’s iconic sports car, whether that’s speed, agility, or interior luxury!
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 Mustang GT Premium (from $46,480) starts at a friendlier price than the more powerful 2024 Mustang Dark Horse (from $58,185).
- Both Mustangs have the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 under their hoods, but the Dark Horse’s high-output version generates maximum power!
- Compared to the GT Premium, the Dark Horse adds a range of high-performance upgrades to its standard lineup.
- Though they have slightly different available features, both the GT Premium and the Dark Horse deliver rich interior luxury.
What is the Starting Price of the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium
These Mustang trim models are built for speed, but the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium (from $46,480) can save you a respectable sum compared to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse (from $58,185).
The Mustang GT Premium combines the Mustang GT’s iconic V8 powertrain with the Mustang lineup’s Premium features, including dual-zone automatic climate control and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The all-new Mustang Dark Horse, on the other hand, earns its steeper price tag with high-performance upgrades.
Is the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium Powerful?
Compared to the Mustang EcoBoost trim models, the Mustang GT delivers more power, replacing the base EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with Ford’s infamous 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine, increasing output to a healthy 480 horses. Although the Mustang GT comes standard with a manual transmission, you can replace it with the more easygoing10-speed automatic (with paddle shifters) if you prefer!
The 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium powertrain specs include:
- 5.0L V8 (480 horsepower, 415 pound-feet of torque)
- Six-speed manual transmission with rev matching
- Optional 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- Rear-wheel drive
The all-new Mustang Dark Horse delivers the most powerful version of Ford’s iconic 5.0-liter V8 engine ever produced, putting 500 horses at your command. In place of the Mustang GT’s six-speed Getrag manual transmission, the Dark Horse delivers the heavy-duty TREMEC six-speed, passed down from another icon, the Mustang Mach 1. On the track, the TREMEC is the superior shifter!
The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse powertrain specs include:
- 5.0L V8 (500 horsepower, 418 pound-feet of torque)
- TREMEC Six-speed manual with rev matching
- Optional 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- Rear-wheel drive
What Upgrades Are Seen For the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium?
In addition to incredible power, this year’s Mustang GT Premium offers quite a few powertrain upgrades. Compared to the EcoBoost trim models, the GT Premium enhances acceleration with a higher gear ratio. It’s also available with items designed to improve agility and ride comfort, such as Brembo brakes and Ford’s MagneRide suspension system!
Highlights from the 2024 Ford Mustang GT’s available performance features include:
- Vented four-wheel disc power brakes
- 3.55 limited-slip rear axle (manual transmission)
- Dual throttle body intake manifold
- Optional 3.55 limited-slip rear axle (automatic transmission)
- Optional quad chrome tips with active valve performance exhaust system and remote rev
- Optional 19-inch Brembo brake system with red calipers
- Optional MangeRide damping system
- Optional GT Performance Package
Not only does the Mustang Dark Horse deliver more power, but it also comes standard with more performance-enhancing features. For starters, its higher gear ratio delivers a quicker throttle response! Many of the GT Premium’s optional performance features are standard for the Dark Horse. These include the MagneRide damping system, which you’ll find improves both ride comfort and your Mustang’s overall responsiveness (especially in Sport mode!).
Highlights from the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse’s available performance features include:
- 19-inch Brembo brake system with red calipers
- 3.73 TORSEN limited-slip rear axle
- MangeRide damping system
- Performance-enhanced powertrain calibration
- Dual throttle body intake manifold
- K-brace
- Optional Dark Horse Handling Package
Is the 2024 Ford Mustang Comfortable?
The Dark Horse isn’t one of the Mustang’s Premium trims (though a Dark Horse Premium model is available!), but it comes standard with many of the GT Premium’s luxury features. However, the GT Premium maintains a slight edge when it comes to interior comfort. For example, the GT Premium delivers heated and ventilated front seats where the Dark Horse only comes standard with heated seats.
The 2024 Ford Mustang GT offers a wide range of upscale features, including:
- Power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats
- Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 12.4-inch LCD digital cluster
- SYNC 4 with 13.2-inch touchscreen
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Ambient interior lighting with MyColor
- Optional leather-trimmed seats with color accent
- Optional Recaro leather-trimmed front sport seats
- Optional 12-speaker B&O sound system
Compared to the GT Premium, the Dark Horse has slightly different styling, including suede steering wheel inserts. Its aesthetic differences are especially obvious when it comes to exterior design, where the Dark Horse features extra-aggressive trim and exclusive options like Blue Ember metallic paint and a variety of graphics.
The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is nearly as luxurious as the Mustang GT:
- Power-adjustable, heated front seats
- Heated, leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with suede insert
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 12.4-inch LCD digital cluster
- SYNC 4 with 13.2-inch touchscreen
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Ambient interior lighting with MyColor
- Optional Recaro micro/suede sport seats
- Optional 12-speaker B&O sound system
Which Should You Choose, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium or Dark Horse?
Which of these high-performance, luxury Mustangs is speaking your language? If you want a high-octane ride and an upscale cabin at the best price, you can’t go wrong with the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium. To take speed and agility to their limits, however, you’ll need the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse! Either of these cars will be a perfect fit?