The Ford Mustang Dark Horse is the ultimate expression of muscle car passion for enthusiasts who crave a raw, track-focused experience wrapped in iconic American style. As a hardcore, performance-oriented variant of the current S550 Mustang generation, the Dark Horse delivers more power, sharper handling, and a suite of features that set it apart from the standard Mustang. With only 1,000 units allocated for Australia—and all sold out—the Dark Horse is a rare gem for those seeking an analogue V8 thrill in 2025.

In this detailed review, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about the 2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, from its striking design and premium interior to its formidable V8 powertrain and exhilarating driving dynamics. Whether you’re weighing it against rivals like the BMW M4 CS or just love muscle cars, this review will help you decide if the Dark Horse is the right beast for your garage.

Complete Features Table

Safety Rating

Before You Walk Into the Showroom

The first thing to know is that all 1,000 Mustang Dark Horse units allocated for Australia have been snapped up. If you want one, your best bet is to find a used model or buy from someone with an allocation—but be prepared to pay a premium.

If you can’t get your hands on a Dark Horse, the standard Mustang five-liter V8 remains a strong contender, especially with options like the Ricaro seats and the Magnaride suspension package. The Dark Horse’s closest rival is arguably the BMW M4 CS, as no other car in its price range offers a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with a manual transmission.

Key ownership details: Servicing and running costs are typical for a V8 muscle car, with reasonable fuel consumption figures considering the engine size and power output.

Exterior Styling: Aggressive and Purpose-Built

The Dark Horse features a unique exterior color exclusive to this model, which looks stunning, especially under sunlight. The dark accents on the bonnet boldly proclaim “Dark Horse,” complemented by blacked-out headlight housings and additional dark decals along the lower body.

Key exterior highlights include:

• Automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and sequential indicators for a premium touch
• 19-inch charcoal gray wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires
• Blue Brembo brake calipers for enhanced stopping power
• Dark privacy glass and a contrasting black roof
• A larger rear spoiler and retro-themed LED tail lights
• Unique decals on the rear showing every Mustang generation
• Quad exhaust pipes integrated into the rear diffuser, delivering a throaty exhaust note

Interior: Premium, Sporty, and Driver-Focused

Step inside the Dark Horse, and you’ll immediately notice the upgrade in quality and sporty details. The Mustang’s interior moves away from chrome accents, replacing them with black inserts and blue stitching that add to the Dark Horse’s unique character.

Highlights include:

• 3D printed titanium gear shifter exclusive to this model
• Leather-accented steering wheel with suede inserts and a flat-bottom design for better grip and style
• Blue synthetic leather with suede inserts on the seats and door trims
• Chassis build number plaque adding a bespoke touch
• Ricaro performance seats offering improved comfort over the standard Mustang seats, with partial electronic adjustment and lumbar support
• Dual-zone climate control with a dedicated climate menu and heated steering wheel

Build quality is solid overall, with soft-touch materials on the armrest and upper door panels, although some lower door areas and grip handles feel a bit hard and plasticky. Rear passenger space is limited, with knee, toe, and headroom tight for adults, making the back seats more suitable for children or short trips.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Dark Horse runs a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system that takes some getting used to but offers a good range of features:

• Voice recognition with Siri integration
• Built-in satellite navigation with 3D mapping
• 12-speaker B&O sound system delivering excellent audio quality
• AM, FM, DAB radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Additional convenience features include a wireless phone charging pad, multiple USB ports (USB-C and USB-A), and 12-volt sockets for accessories.

Safety Features

The Mustang Dark Horse comes equipped with a solid suite of safety tech, including:

• Surround-view camera system (rear parking sensors only; no front sensors)
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind spot monitoring on both side mirrors
• Lane keeping assist with active lane steering
• Adaptive cruise control with distance keeping
• Speed sign recognition

Drive Modes, Cluster Customization, and Performance Features

The Dark Horse offers multiple drive modes accessible via dashboard buttons:

1. Custom
2. Normal
3. Sport
4. Race Track
5. Drag Strip
6. Slippery

The digital instrument cluster allows you to toggle between various themes, including retro styles inspired by classic Mustang generations such as the ’67-68 classic, Fox Body (1987-1993), and SVT Cobra (1999-2001). You can also customize the information displayed, from fuel consumption to lap timers and shift indicators.

Performance-oriented features include:

• Exhaust valve control for opening and closing the exhaust note
• Drift brake feature linked to the electronic parking brake for easier drifts
• Line lock for burnouts, locking the front wheels while spinning the rears
• Launch control and rev matching for optimal gear changes and acceleration

Practicality and Storage

Despite being a performance car, the Dark Horse offers reasonable practicality:

• Boot space of 408 liters, enough for two carry-on suitcases
• Rear seats fold down to increase cargo space
• No spare tire, but a compressor is included for the run-flat tires
• Glovebox and center storage compartments provide decent room for smaller items
• Small door pockets and a sunglasses holder add to everyday convenience

Powertrain and Driving Impressions

Under the hood, the Dark Horse packs a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 349 kW (around 468 hp) and 548 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a TREMEC six-speed manual transmission borrowed from the Shelby GT350, or an optional 10-speed automatic. This manual gearbox is a standout, featuring smooth shifts and rev matching that make driving a pure joy.

The Dark Horse benefits from several upgrades over the standard Mustang:

• Enhanced cooling system for track durability
• Magnaride adaptive suspension for improved ride comfort and cornering grip
• Wider Pirelli P Zero tires for extra traction
• More direct steering ratio for sharper handling

On the road, the Dark Horse feels more performance-focused but stops short of the luxury refinement of rivals like the BMW M3 or Mercedes-AMG C63. The brakes are excellent—smooth and progressive, with strong stopping power when pushed hard. The limited-slip differential allows for controlled drifts and playful rear-end slides, making it a muscle car that’s thrilling yet manageable.

Visibility is generally good, though the long front bonnet requires some awareness over driveways, and rear vision is a bit tight with blind spots around the C-pillar.

Fuel Economy

For a V8 muscle car, the Dark Horse’s fuel consumption is reasonable. Real-world combined figures range around the mid-teens (liters per 100 km), depending on driving style and conditions, which is respectable given the power and performance on offer.

Top 10 FAQs About the 2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Final Verdict

The 2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is a rare find in today’s market—a naturally aspirated V8 paired with a six-speed manual transmission, wrapped in a package that’s both track-capable and street-legal. Its upgrades over the standard Mustang make it a genuinely thrilling drive, with sharper handling, better brakes, and a soundtrack that muscle car fans will adore.

While all units in Australia have sold out, the Dark Horse remains a benchmark for analogue performance enthusiasts. If you can get one, it’s a fantastic choice. If not, the standard Mustang with Ricaro seats and Magnaride suspension still offers a compelling alternative. Either way, the Dark Horse reminds us why the Mustang continues to hold a special place in the hearts of car lovers.