Ford Mustang Convertible Ecoboost 2015

The Ford Mustang Convertible isn't brilliant in the bends, but it looks great and is decent value.

Britain has waited for more than 50 years for a Ford Mustang to be sold here and later this year it’ll finally arrive. Also available as a retro Coupe, the elegant Convertible aims to grab a slice of the drop-top market we Brits love so much.

While it goes up against premium convertibles like the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, it’s offers better value-for-money like-for-like. The Mustang is also slightly larger than both of its German rivals which translates to car feeling wide on country lanes and in normal city driving.

As the new Mustang is a world car, it benefits from some key upgrades to suit European buyers’ tastes. So, along with a 5.0-litre V8, there’s also a more economical 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine in the range, Ford’s latest SYNC 2 infotainment system, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions and fully-independent rear suspension – the latter being a first for the Mustang.

As you’d expect, the Mustang has a large price advantage over its rivals which makes it attractive. Factor in great looks and that name which evokes so much heritage, the Mustang is a desirable buy – but it does feel unsophisticated compared to European convertibles.

Our choice: Mustang Convertible 5.0 V8 6-spd manual

The Mustang is an American icon but, for this worldwide ninth-generation car, Ford wanted the car’s styling to evolve to the next level.

Headed by Brit Moray Callum, the new Mustang is more sleek than its predecessors – but there’s still bucket loads of classic charm characteristic design cues. Hallmark cues include the shark-like front, gaping grille and three-bar light clusters at the rear join a lower, sleeker overall look and sharp creases along the flanks.

Inside the dashboard is typically muscle car-like with a squared-off look and a row of chromed toggle switches give some retro charm. It’s all contrasted with a large touchscreen with SYNC 2 and better quality plastics from the Mustangs of old – especially the squidgy soft-touch plastics on the top of the dash.

However, don’t expect BMW or Audi levels of quality – it’s a quite a way short of European rivals with disappointing scratchy plastics in prominent places.

Mustang Convertible comes in two flavours – wallet-pleasing four-cylinder or classic V8. So far we’ve only driven the 2.3-litre EcoBoost which leads the way for fuel economy, fuel consumption and CO2.

It’s a decent engine and delivers plenty of punch thanks to 316bhp allowing the car to get to 62mph in six seconds and a top speed of 145mph. There’s a muted four-cylinder engine noise from the tailpipes but clever software pumps a V6-like growl into the cabin; it falls some way short of offering the aural delights of a V8 but it’s better than a four-cylinder engine’s usual clatter. The six-speed manual is good too giving satisfying-feeling changes.

If you want a Mustang that can go around corners like a European car, go for the Coupe. While there’s fully independent front and rear suspension for the first time, chopping the roof off the Coupe has meant the Convertible is far softer and looser. Around town the body flexes over potholes; pick up speed on country roads and there’s more pronounced body wobble and shimmy. It’s a cruiser and not a convertible that can deliver a sporty driving experience – if you want both, the BMW 4 Series is a better choice.

However, while we’ve yet to drive it yet, stumping up the extra £4,000 for the 5.0-litre V8 seems like a no-brainer for us. While it pumps out 306g/km and returns 20.8mpg, the V8’s growly soundtrack go hand-in-hand with Mustang ownership – and it sounds better with the roof down.

With UK deliveries due later this year, it is difficult to say whether the Mustang ownership will be trouble-free. However, in its native US, the Mustang has long had a reliable reputation - and with the new car being adapted to European tastes too, we have no reason to expect anything different.

Safety is high on the Mustang’s priority list too – there are eight airbags including a passenger knee airbag located in the glove box lid, and traction control with switchable driving modes.

On quick inspection the Mustang Convertible may look like a comfortable four-seater drop-top but it’s better to think of its as a 2+2. The shapely rear seats are only really suitable for children or for adults on short journeys – your friends will quickly tire of the limited legroom and headroom when the roof is up.

Still, there’s an adequate boot that can swallow two golf bags, and the roof folds away between the rear seats and boot meaning it doesn’t encroach on luggage space. Up front there are two large cupholders that dominate the console between the driver and passenger and that’s about it for storage – a small glovebox and door pockets that extend right back into the door (meaning you’ll lose things) are not particularly practical.

If you want your convertible to offer similar running costs to a four-door saloon, a diesel-engined BMW or Audi will be a better bet. If you value a smooth petrol engine that delivers character rather than miles per gallon, the Mustang will be higher up your list – they’ll be no diesel engine on offer in the ‘Stang as that’s viewed as a step too far.

However, while the V8 naturally doesn’t return great running costs, the 2.3 EcoBoost doesn’t exactly impress either. You’ll be lucky to beat 30mpg in it but its 184g/km does mean it could sneak onto company car lists.

That said, the Mustang does make a strong case for itself when it comes to equipment. Both 2.3 and 5.0 offer great kit levels for their money – European metal can’t come close.