Sacrilege! That’s what Mustang aficionados considered the EcoBoost version to be when it first arrived. It was something no one saw coming. An engine configuration that was never associated with the Mustang, yet it still gave the V8 side of the family a run for its money. So much so that the Ford Mustang EcoBoost developed a following of its own. 

That shouldn’t come as a surprise as it’s inherently more economical than the other engine options and less polluting. Being eco-friendly is cooler than it has ever been, and this version promises to offer the best of both worlds. But how close did it get to reaching that goal? Join as we take a closer look at the Ford Mustang EcoBoost and try to determine whether it’s a decent alternative to the V8.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost — What You Should Know

It was in December 2013 that Ford unveiled the sixth-generation Mustang. The car featured several changes including full-independent suspension in the rear. This was a massive update and a highly-awaited one. Despite that huge update to the chassis, the change that drew the most attention was the introduction of the EcoBoost engine. 

The 2.3-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine made 310 HP and 320 lb-ft of torque. That is an impressive amount of power for an engine that size. What that also did was put it above the company’s V6 version at the time. Yes, the turbocharged, four-cylinder made more power and was positioned above the 3.7-liter V6 unit that was good for 300 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost made use of features like direct injection, variable cam timing, and turbocharging. At the unveiling, Ford said this helped it deliver plenty of usable performance and impressive fuel efficiency. 

The company also added that it had a unique intake manifold and turbo housing which helped it deliver its impressive performance. At the time of its launch, Ford’s lead engineer said, “this EcoBoost engine delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to, with a broad, flat torque curve that pours out when you stand on it for easy passing or hustling down a twisty road,”

Is the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fast?

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost couldn’t be considered slow when it first arrived because it made more power and torque than the V6 engine options. However, Ford went on to discontinue the V6 engine in 2017 which made the EcoBoost their base engine. 

That being said, it’s still plenty quick when you factor in the Mustang’s weight. The car is quite large when compared to similarly powered sports cars which put it at a disadvantage by design. 

When Motortrend last tested the EcoBoost with the automatic transmission, it managed to get to 60 MPH in 5.3 seconds. The car also did the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 97.2 MPH. The Ford Mustang also features a Drag Strip mode which helps it deliver the best acceleration times. While these numbers are from 2019, the engine hasn’t changed since then which means one can expect similar performance. Interestingly, these numbers aren’t too far off from those of the V8. 

When talking about the 10-speed automatic the Ford Mustang EcoBoost uses, Motortrend described it as “one thing that doesn’t need fixing on the street. On our favorite roads, it was perfect. Even with its software update, the EcoBoost still runs out of breath at high rpm, but you wouldn’t know it because this transmission knows exactly how to use all its gears to keep the engine in the meat of its power.” What this meant was that the Ford Mustang EcoBoost is quite quick on back roads. So much so that it surprises a lot of fast cars.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost is also available with a manual gearbox which is around 1 second slower to 60 MPH at 6.3 seconds. The 2.3-liter, four-cylinder is also available with a High Performance package that takes the power up to 330 HP. That version will certainly be the quickest. Ford says it can get to 60 MPH in under 5.0 seconds. And that’s quite impressive when you factor in the engine’s size.

An update in 2020 made changes to the exhaust note of the High Performance Ford Mustang EcoBoost. The car has a sportier sound and improved throttle response. The revised exhaust note had a loud growl which adds to the overall experience. 

The company is also said to have made updates to the 10-speed automatic that resulted in even smoother shifts. This gearbox also almost finds itself in the correct gear and refrains from holding gear right up to the redline. While the manual remains as crisp as ever, it still misses out on the automatic rev-matching feature that can be found on the more expensive V8 version.

Is the Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Good?

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a really good car. While many still don’t consider it a “real” mustang, it’s still a really good performance car. As we discussed the 2.3-liter engine has proven itself with impressive performance numbers. It’s quick and manages to get quickly close to the entry-level V8 Mustang offering.

That’s not all though, the Ford Mustang Ecoboost has been tested to deliver its claimed 28 MPG fuel economy figure. One report suggests that they managed to get 29 MPG. That’s extremely impressive for a performance-oriented machine with a 330 HP car with wide grippy tires. However, it’s not only the engine that’s impressive.

When equipped with the High Performance package, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost gets features from the more expensive Mustang GT and its performance package. This means it comes fitted with large (almost 14-inch) brake rotors with four-piston calipers. It also gets a thicker anti-roll bar. 

This version also makes use of a strut-tower brace and grippy 19-inch tires. Other additions come in the form of a limited-slip differential. The Ford Mustang EcoBoost with the High Performance package also features electronic revisions in the form of an electrically assisted steering rack, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and drive modes.

While the High Performance package is available with both body styles of the Ford Mustang – coupe and convertible, the Handling pack can only be found on the coupe. This option adds even more grip to Ford Mustang EcoBoost as it adds adaptive dampers, stronger brake pads, and grippier tires. These increase the cornering grip of the car quite significantly. 

Reviews suggest that the car turns into corners quicker while also offering more feedback. The car has so much handling potential that many have described it as being remarkable. It also does this without affecting the ride quality. The Ford Mustang EcoBoost can also be optioned with Recaro sports seats, but that’s something you should experience before going for them as they can be a little too sporty for regular usage.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost Common Problems

Ford has always been known for its V6 and V8 engines. When compared to how long they’ve been those engines, the four-cylinder EcoBoost is fairly recent. As with anything that’s quite new, there’s a bit of trial and error. Here are three common problems with the Ford Mustang EcoBoost.

Heating Issue

Early versions of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost had a few recalls to some problems. In 2015, the company recalled cars with this engine to address heated underbody temperatures. Not long after the engine was released, Ford found out that the exhaust temperatures were above the normal levels. 

This meant there was an excess amount of heat under the car. Too much heat is never a good thing because it could affect other components. In this instance, it could cause problems with the parking brake cables, fuel lines, and fuel tank which were not too far from the exhaust.

Ford fixed this problem by adding heat shields. Turbocharged engines inherently run hot and rely on an intercooler to cool down. The intercooler was tested and was doing its job in moderate driving scenarios. However, the Mustang is a performance car and owners like to drive them hard and this is where it can reach its limit. Sometimes, owners tune the engine to make more power and that’s what causes a real problem with maintaining optimum temperatures. 

That said, if the heating issue arises from tuning, it’s not Ford’s fault as the intercooler was only designed to handle stock power. Luckily, there are several upgraded intercoolers available for such applications. With a larger unit, owners won’t have to worry about heat-soaking. Keep in mind that this upgrade is even more important in regions with warm climates.

Carbon Deposit Problem

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost can encounter carbon deposit or carbon build-up as the mileage increases. This isn’t exactly a problem, it’s more of a maintenance procedure. That said, it’s an additional cost that should be considered. 

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost makes use of direct injection instead of port injection and that has its upsides and downsides. One of the downsides of direct injection is that it sends fuel directly into the cylinder. When paired with the blow-by from an engine, the oil makes its way into the intake ports. 

As it uses direct injection, the intake valves don’t get cleaned by the fuel as they would in an engine with port injection. What this means is that carbon deposits can collect on the valves and end up causing a build-up. That being said, this problem only occurs over time and can be expected at the 100,000-mile mark. While it’s quite uncommon for Ford Mustang EcoBoost to be used that frequently, many owners like driving their cars every day. 

If there’s a significant amount of build-up, it’s a good idea to get it cleaned as it’ll cause a power loss. This is a common maintenance procedure and can be fixed in two ways – brake cleaner or walnut blasting. 

The latter is the preferred method as it’s more effective at cleaning the intake valves. It’s not a complex procedure and can be done at any shop as long as they do a thorough job. You don’t want any walnut remains to get into the engine. This is also not very expensive and can cost around $450 which isn’t bad when you consider that it has to be done every 100,000 miles.

Is an EcoBoost Mustang Worth It?

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost is worth the price if fuel economy plays a big role in your buying decision. To make the Ford Mustang EcoBoost sporty, it is highly recommended that you get it with the High Performance package. With this package, you are looking at a price tag that’s close to the $33,000 mark. At that price, you get adequate levels of performance and impressive fuel economy. 

However, the base V8-powered Mustang GT is only $5,000 more and that difference feels even smaller when you compare monthly payments. The GT has loads more power and torque but loses out on fuel efficiency. So what it comes down to is your usage. If you are looking for a fun daily driver, the EcoBoost makes more sense, but if you want a fun weekend car it’s the GT that’s worth considering.

Get Quality Parts for Your Ford Mustang EcoBoost

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Our catalog here at Newparts.com features parts for a wide range of vehicles manufactured by domestic and import brands. To find what you’re looking for, simply head over to our store, select your vehicle, and you’ll be presented with a list of products that are a guaranteed fit for your car!