I’m lucky enough to drive a ton of cars every year. But there are a few that really stand out — and the Ford Mustang Bullitt is absolutely one of them. For those that have been following me for a while, you know that my favorite muscle car is the Chevrolet Camaro. However, I’m not ashamed to give respect where respect is due. If there’s any muscle car I’d buy over the Camaro SS, it’d be the Ford Mustang Bullitt. Paying tribute to the 1968 Mustang GT Fastback that starred alongside Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt, the new version is simply outstanding. It has an awesome loud exhaust, plenty of V8 power, handles great, has a white shifter, and of course – it’s colored in the awesome Dark Highland Green. But is it worth the extra price over the standard Mustang GT Fastback? Is it close enough to the GT350? Let’s find out.
2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt Exterior
Again, I’m a huge fan of the Camaro but my second runner up based on looks alone is the Ford Mustang. I love what Ford has done with the overall look of the new Mustang, particularly with the fastback design. That being said, I think that the Ford Mustang Bullitt is the best looking Mustang, besides the GT500 and the GT350/GT350R.
Now, I don’t think I’ve ever heard an automotive executive use the word “badass.” But when describing the new Ford Mustang Bullitt, Mustang chief engineer Carl Widmann said: “It has to have the right attitude, it has to be unique in some way from a Mustang GT, and more than anything, it has to be badass.” And the new Ford Mustang Bullitt is exactly that. The first thing you’ll notice is the classic Dark Highland Green exterior paint. It is one of my favorite exterior paint jobs in any current vehicle. Other highlights include red Brembo brakes, a blacked-out front grille (w/no Pony badge), and classic 19-inch, five-spoke heritage aluminum wheels which I would probably end up switching out if I ever bought a Mustang Bullitt. There is minimal badging around this special-edition model, which I really like. The only place where you see the “Bullitt” logo on the outside is on the rear center. Standard exterior features include dual exhaust with quad tips, LED headlights with LED signature lighting, LED fog lamps, functional hood vents for better airflow, and pony projection puddle lamps when you open the door.
2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt Interior
Here’s the thing with the Mustang Bullitt. I keep reading how the Bullitt is not worth the extra price over the Mustang GT. However, let’s break this down. First, the Mustang Bullitt comes standard with the GT Performance Package (PP1). A Ford Mustang GT with the GT Performance Package starts at $41,365. The Bullitt, as we learned yesterday, also has a range of other performance features, but let’s take a look at what the Mustang Bullitt offers on the inside because a lot the features that are optional on the Mustang GT are standard on the Bullitt. The Bullitt comes standard with heated and cooled seats, dual-zone climate control, SYNC3, an upgraded sound system, and much more including a range of driver-assist features. To really break down this comparison you would have to start with Mustang GT Premium model with the GT Performance Package. After you add on all the other interior options, a similarly equipped Mustang GT Premium with the GT Performance Package comes in at $48,565 – which means the Bullitt at $47,810 is quite a bargain. Especially when you consider that the Bullitt also comes with the additional performance elements like the GT350’s intake manifold and throttle body that the Mustang GT doesn’t. That said, I really liked the interior of the Ford Mustang Bullitt. Of course, I’m fully aware that the interior isn’t top notch in terms of quality materials, but the overall fit and finish of the Bullitt’s interior is solid. Tech wise, SYNC3 is quick, you have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the customizable 12-inch LCD digital instrument cluster is fun to play with.
<img class=">2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt Performanc
For me, rule number one of owning a muscle car is that it must have a V8 and a manual transmission. Even though the ten-speed automatic Ford Mustang GT is a sub-four second car, I’d still go for the manual. As for the Bullitt, the special edition Mustang is exclusively available with a manual transmission, so if you want an automatic you’d have to stick with a regular Mustang GT. Now, what makes the Ford Mustang Bullitt so special in terms of performance? Well for one, it comes standard with Performance Pack Level 1 (GT Performance Package). A Mustang GT with the PP1 starts at $41,365 while the Mustang Bullitt starts at $47,810**. What do you get for the additional $6,445 with the Bullitt? The Mustang Bullitt also comes standard with an active valve performance exhaust with new Black NitroPlate tips, which sounds absolutely amazing. To further enhance performance it also gets the GT350’s intake manifold and throttle body along with an open air box. All that allows for an additional 20 ponies (to make 480 total horsepower) over the Mustang GT and a very minimal difference in the zero-to-60 time (4.2 seconds vs. 4.3 for the Mustang GT). My test model also came with one of the Bullitt’s only performance enhancing options, the MagneRide dampers. It definitely helps balancing and handling making this beefed up Mustang even more engaging to drive. So would I pay an additional $6,445 for the Bullitt? Absolutely.
2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt Overall
There are many reviews out there saying that you can get the same performance as the Bullitt in the Mustang GT for much less. While that may be slightly true, when you compare the overall package — with all the bells and whistles — the Bullitt is actually a better deal that costs less than a similarly equipped Mustang GT.
That being said, you’d be lucky if you can grab a Mustang Bullitt since it will probably hold its value better over time. Visit your local AutoNation Ford dealership for a test drive today!