2017 Ford Mustang vs 2019

What's the difference?

Ford Mustang. The name just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? It’s one of the most evocative and best-known models in the automotive kingdom, and the decision to sell it properly in Australia – after a couple of false starts – has proven to be a boon for Ford Australia. And after a whirlwind 18 months of sales, Ford can finally catch its breath and actually provide dealers with stock that isn’t pre-sold.

The V8-powered GT has been by far the biggest seller, but the four-cylinder EcoBoost version we’re testing here has its own merits – not least of which being that it looks almost identical to its bigger-engined brother.

Is a four-cylinder, turbocharged Mustang a sacrilege, though? Or can it show the V8 a thing or two?

In an act of automotive heresy second to very few, I have never been on the Mustang train. I mean, I get it, I understand it, but I am not onboard.

But, each to their own and all that - the great thing about automotive iconography is that it's harmless. Bought a nasty old shell and spent 10 years doing it up? All power to you. Just don't expect me to look all delighted and ask questions about provenance or whatever.

Despite the genesis story featuring a birth in the 1960s, we're only up to the sixth generation of the pony car. I drove a 2015 car and I don't mind telling you, not only was I not on board, I was looking for any other train. The seats were squidgy, the V8 was virtually silent (slight exaggeration) and the interior was just plain ropey.

Editor Flynn was aware of my displeasure - in fact, he rode with me while I listed the litany of issues I had with it. Three years on and things have changed, apparently with the release of the updated MY19 Mustang. Let's find out if it's enough to at least get me on the platform.