The 2019 Ford Mustang Convertible with the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission gets 23 MPG combined. While this won’t earn any awards for being extremely efficient, saving gas is likely not the top priority for buyers of this Mustang. This car is more about open-air thrills, classic style, and decent performance without spending too much money at the pump.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2019 Mustang Convertible 2.3L gets 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. These numbers reflect typical stop-and-go traffic versus consistent highway speeds. The 20 MPG city rating is expected, as the automatic transmission can sometimes feel hesitant in urban environments, leading to more throttle. However, the 28 MPG highway rating is achievable, especially if you avoid using the engine’s 310 horsepower for passing. This difference is normal for sporty vehicles: fuel efficiency goes down when you drive hard, and improves with a more relaxed style. The 10-speed automatic transmission helps on the highway by allowing the engine to run at lower RPMs.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $1,900 for the 2019 Ford Mustang Convertible 2.3L. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year using national average fuel prices. This gives a standard to compare running costs of different vehicles. Keep in mind that actual fuel costs will change depending on your driving habits, local fuel prices, and how much you drive in the city versus on the highway.

Real-world expectations

EPA figures provide a benchmark, but real-world fuel economy for the 2019 Mustang Convertible 2.3L will vary based on driving style and location. Drivers who want fast acceleration and drive with the top down often can expect numbers closer to the city rating, maybe even a bit lower. In contrast, those who mostly drive longer distances on the highway, using cruise control and anticipating traffic flow, could match or slightly beat the 28 MPG highway figure. Tire pressure, air temperature, and using accessories such as air conditioning will affect fuel consumption. See MUSTANG MPG across all years if you want to compare to fuel economy from previous model years of the Mustang.

How it compares

The 2019 Mustang Convertible 2.3L’s fuel economy is about average compared to similar cars. The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF typically gets around 29 MPG combined, making it a more fuel-efficient option. However, the Miata is designed for agility instead of raw power, and focuses on handling rather than straight-line acceleration. The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible with the base 2.0L turbo engine delivers about the same fuel economy as the Mustang, within 1-2 MPG. Upgrading to the Camaro’s V6 engines will decrease fuel efficiency. Understanding these options lets buyers compare fuel economy, performance, and the overall driving experience. Check all Ford fuel economy data for more.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid accelerating quickly. The Mustang’s EcoBoost engine is responsive, however rapid acceleration will reduce fuel economy, so accelerate smoothly and gradually, especially when driving in the city.

Keep tires inflated properly. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check the sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb for the recommended tire pressure and check your Mustang’s tire pressure to keep them inflated properly.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control helps to maintain a constant speed, which minimizes the need to accelerate or decelerate and saves gas on long highway trips, especially on flat roads. Avoid using cruise control on hills, though, as this can make the system overreact and cause erratic throttle.

Try not to drag race. The Mustang’s design might encourage you to drive fast, but save the hard acceleration for fun sometimes and drive efficiently most of the time to save fuel.

Think about using a fuel additive. Some fuel additives can help clean fuel injectors and improve how the engine burns fuel. This could lead to slightly better fuel economy. Be sure that any additive works with the Mustang’s engine and fuel system.