When you’ve got your heart set on speed and all-American style, you might find yourself caught between the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium and Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Which Mustang trim model should you buy? No matter your priorities — be they maximum horsepower, aggressive styling, or the best price on an ultra-quick ride — our comparison guide is here to help you make the right decision. Let’s take a look at these two sports cars.
Key Takeaways
- Compared to the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse (from $58,185), the 2024 Mustang GT (from $46,480) delivers high-octane power at the lowest price.
- Inside, the Mustang GT has a few extra comfort features, including front-seat ventilation!
- The Dark Horse features the most powerful version of Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 ever made, pumping out 500 horsepower!
- The Dark Horse comes standard with a long list of performance upgrades, most of which are optional for the Mustang GT.
What is the Starting Price of the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium?
For the best price on a Mustang trim model that delivers both a thrilling ride and luxurious interior, you’ll love the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium (from $46,480). The GT Premium not only supplies 480 horsepower with its 5.0-liter V8 engine, but it also comes standard with niceties like heated and ventilated front seats and a wireless smartphone charger!
Compared to the Mustang GT Premium, the all-new 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse (from $58,185) delivers even more power and an incredible host of performance upgrades. On top of its 500 horsepower, the Dark Horse fine-tunes your on-road agility and track performance with features like Ford’s MagneRide dampers, 19-inch Brembo brakes, and a 3.73 TORSEN limited-slip rear axle. As you’ll see, the Dark Horse also includes most (but not all) of the GT Premium’s upscale comfort and tech features.
What Interior Features Are Seen in the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium?
The “Premium” in the Mustang GT Premium’s name means that this model comes standard with more upscale features than the regular, non-premium Mustang GT. And it certainly delivers on its promise, adding to the regular lineup with Ford’s ActiveX seating upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control, among other creature comforts. The GT Premium also includes coveted tech features, like remote ignition and a nine-speaker sound system.
Highlights from the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium lineup include:
- 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 and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- 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
While the Dark Horse comes standard with many of the aforementioned features, its interior styling is unique. For instance, the Dark Horse features cloth seats with vinyl trim and suede inserts in its leather-wrapped steering wheel. There are only a few interior items that you need to upgrade to the Dark Horse Premium to enjoy — namely, cooled front seats and an electronic-locking center console. The Dark Horse’s list of standard features is much longer, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and multicolor ambient interior lighting!
Highlights from the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse lineup include:
- 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 and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Ambient interior lighting with MyColor
- Optional Recaro micro/suede sport seats
- Optional 12-speaker B&O sound system
What Engine Is Seen In the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium?
Both the Mustang GT Premium and the Mustang Dark Horse derive their incredible power from the infamous 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. However, the Dark Horse takes speed potential to the limits with a high-output version that boosts output to 500 horses! And while the Mustang GT Premium’s SelectShift manual transmission is no slouch, the Dark Horse’s TREMEC manual was meant for the racetrack.
Powertrain specs for the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium 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
Powertrain specs or the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 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 Makes the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Different?
Besides engine output and extra-aggressive exterior styling, the Mustang Dark Horse sets itself apart from the Mustang GT Premium with its many performance upgrades. Where the GT Premium has a very sporty 3.55 final gear ratio, the Dark Horse enhances acceleration and speed retention with a 3.73 ratio. And while the high-performance MagneRide suspension system, Brembo Brakes, and K-brace are optional for the GT Premium, all of this gear comes standard on the Dark Horse!
The 2024 Mustang GT Premium’s performance lineup includes:
- 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
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with many of the GT Premium’s optional features, plus it improves track performance with a unique powertrain calibration. Highlights from this model 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
Should You Choose the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium or Dark Horse?
We can understand your indecision here, because both next-generation Mustang trim models are big on power, style, and interior luxury. To combine a high-octane performance and upscale cabin with the best price, we recommend the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium. For drivers who want to take performance to heights they may not even have thought possible, there’s the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse! Come to Brighton Ford to find your next sports car.