The 2017 Ford Mustang GT, equipped with the 5.0L V8 and automatic transmission, gets 18 MPG combined. This isn’t ideal for those who need the best fuel efficiency. However, Mustang GT buyers usually prioritize a visceral driving experience, the roar of a strong V8 engine, and American muscle car heritage. The fuel economy is part of owning such a car.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2017 Mustang GT at 15 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects the engine’s gas consumption in stop-and-go traffic. The highway number shows what it can do when cruising steadily. Expect the city number to drop if you accelerate quickly from every stoplight, because the car encourages you to do so. The highway figure, although not great, is respectable for a car with this much power. Careful use of the accelerator can help you get close to, or even slightly exceed, that 24 MPG figure on long road trips.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Ford Mustang GT 5.0L at $2,450. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year. 55% of those miles are in the city and 45% on the highway, using national average fuel prices at the time of calculation. The actual cost will vary depending on how you drive and local fuel prices. This provides a way to compare the Mustang GT’s fuel consumption to other vehicles.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates provide a benchmark, but real-world fuel economy can vary a lot. Things like driving style, traffic, and even tire pressure can change the MPG you get. A driver who accelerates quickly frequently is likely to see numbers closer to the low teens. A more relaxed driver with mostly highway miles might average closer to 20 MPG combined. Temperature also has an effect. Colder temperatures and thicker fluids in winter can reduce MPG by a few miles.

How it compares

The 2017 Mustang GT’s fuel economy is about what you’d expect compared to its rivals. A similarly equipped Chevrolet Camaro SS with the 6.2L V8 and automatic transmission is rated at 16 MPG city and 25 MPG highway, nearly the same. The Dodge Challenger R/T with the 5.7L V8 is slightly worse, at 15 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. Even with forced induction models, you won’t find huge fuel economy gains. A 2017 Camaro ZL1 is rated at 13 MPG city and 20 MPG highway. For better fuel economy within the Mustang lineup, explore the EcoBoost version. The EcoBoost is efficient, but doesn’t have the loud character of the Mustang GT.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Your foot is the biggest factor in the Mustang GT’s fuel economy. Smooth acceleration and predicting traffic can reduce fuel consumption. Avoid quick starts and unnecessary speeding, especially in the city. This also reduces wear on your tires, a common issue with powerful cars.

Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. This is usually on a sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance. This makes the engine work harder and burn more gas. Check your tire pressure regularly and adjust as needed, especially when temperatures change.

The Mustang GT’s automatic transmission responds well. Using the paddle shifters to manually select gears can help improve fuel economy. Shift early and keep the engine in its lower RPM range to reduce gas use. Experiment to see how manual gear selection affects your normal driving.

Reduce idling time. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Modern cars restart quickly and efficiently. Idling burns gas without moving the car. This is relevant in winter; some drivers have issues with cold-start idling.

Keep up with regular maintenance, including oil changes and air filter replacements. A well-maintained engine runs smoothly and efficiently. A dirty air filter restricts airflow. This makes the engine work harder and waste fuel. Consider exploring MUSTANG MPG across all years to see if maintenance affected reported MPG in earlier generations.