2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend vs Outer Banks

315, 480, or 500 horsepower — and a supercharged 795 if you want the extreme end. The engine decides more about your Mustang than any other choice, including which body style you can order and whether a manual gearbox is on the table. Here is what each one actually gives you, and one detail about the GT that almost nobody mentions. What engines does the 2026 Ford Mustang offer? The 2026 Mustang offers a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four rated at 315 horsepower, a 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 rated at 480 or 486 horsepower depending on exhaust, and a modified 5.0L Coyote V8 in the Dark Horse rated at 500 horsepower. A supercharged 5.2L V8 producing 795 horsepower powers the Dark Horse SC. Engine Horsepower Torque Series 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 315 @ 5,500 rpm 350 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 480 @ 7,150 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm GT, GT Premium 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 with active valve exhaust 486 @ 7,250 rpm 418 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm GT, GT Premium Modified Gen-4 5.0L Coyote V8 500 @ 7,250 rpm 418 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm Dark Horse 5.2L supercharged V8 795 @ 7,200 rpm 660 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm Dark Horse SC Read the fine print on every one of these Ford rates all Mustang horsepower and torque figures on 93-octane fuel, and publishes no regular-fuel rating at all. So when a spec site quotes you 315 or 480 or 500 with no asterisk, that is the premium-fuel number. Budget for premium if you are budgeting honestly. Why do some Mustang GTs make 486 horsepower instead of 480? Because of the exhaust. The 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 is rated at 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft in standard form, and at 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft when fitted with the available active valve performance exhaust. The exhaust option changes the engine's published rating. This catches people out, and it is worth understanding before you order. An exhaust is normally a sound-and-appearance option. On the 2026 GT it is a power option as well — six horsepower and three lb-ft, plus quad chrome tailpipes and the ability to change the exhaust note by drive mode. It also means a used GT listing quoting 486 horsepower is telling you something about how that specific car was built. If you are cross-shopping two GTs and one lists 480 and the other 486, that is not a typo. Worth knowing: the active valve performance exhaust is standard on the Dark Horse, where it comes with black tips rather than chrome. On a GT it is an option, and it is the only option in the lineup that changes a horsepower rating. How do the Mustang engines compare on the road? The 2.3L EcoBoost makes its 350 lb-ft at just 3,000 rpm, so it feels strong in normal driving. Both V8s make peak torque at 4,900 rpm and peak power above 7,000, so they reward being revved. The Dark Horse's 500 horsepower arrives at 7,250 rpm — higher than most engines will even turn. The numbers understate how differently these behave. The turbocharged four delivers its torque low and flat, which makes it the easiest of the three to drive quickly on a back road without thinking about it. The V8s are the opposite: they want revs, and the last 1,500 rpm is where the character lives. The Dark Horse's engine is not simply a tuned GT motor. It uses a dual air intake box, a dual throttle body, a unique intake manifold, and performance-enhanced calibration, along with engine oil, transmission and differential coolers so it can run hard repeatedly without heat-soaking. Which Mustang engines come with a manual transmission? The 5.0L V8 models. The GT and GT Premium come standard with an MT82-D4 6-speed manual with rev matching, and the Dark Horse comes standard with a TREMEC 6-speed manual. The 2.3L EcoBoost is offered with a 10-speed automatic only, and that automatic is available on the V8 models as an alternative. Engine Standard transmission Available 2.3L EcoBoost 10-speed automatic None 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 MT82-D4 6-speed manual with rev matching 10-speed SelectShift automatic Modified 5.0L Coyote V8 TREMEC 6-speed manual with rev matching 10-speed SelectShift automatic 5.2L supercharged V8 TREMEC 7-speed dual-clutch None If a manual gearbox is non-negotiable, that rules out the EcoBoost entirely and puts you in a V8. It is one of the cleaner decision points in the lineup. Axle ratios follow the transmission The rear axle changes with the transmission and the package, and it is not a detail worth ignoring on a rear-drive car. The EcoBoost runs a 3.15 limited-slip axle, moving to a 3.55 Torsen with the RTR Package. The GT runs 3.55 with the manual and 3.15 with the automatic, and the GT Performance Package brings a TORSEN differential at 3.73 with the manual or 3.55 with the automatic. The Dark Horse runs a 3.73 TORSEN with the manual and a 3.55 TORSEN with the automatic. Every Mustang uses a limited-slip differential. Which Mustang engine should you choose? Choose the 2.3L EcoBoost if the Mustang is a daily driver and you are comfortable with an automatic. Choose the 5.0L V8 in a GT if you want the eight-cylinder sound and a manual gearbox. Choose the Dark Horse if you will actually use the extra hardware, not just the extra 20 horsepower. You drive it every day: 2.3L EcoBoost. 350 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm makes it easy to live with. You want a V8 and a manual: GT or GT Premium. This is the mainstream answer. You want a V8 convertible: GT Premium, the only one offered. You are ordering a GT anyway: seriously consider the active valve performance exhaust. It is the only option that changes the rating. You will do track days: Dark Horse. The coolers, Brembos, and MagneRide matter more than the horsepower does. You want serious hardware without a V8: EcoBoost fastback with the RTR Package. The honest note on the Dark Horse: the gap from a GT is 20 horsepower, which is not what you are paying for. What separates them is the cooling, the brakes, the standard MagneRide, the TORSEN differential, and the chassis tuning. If you are never leaving the street, a GT with the Performance Package covers most of the same ground. Search Mustang Inventory Value Your Trade Call 816-409-1975 THE SNEED DIFFERENCE We will read you the window sticker before you drive up Dennis Sneed Ford has been family-owned in Gower, MO for 30 years, about 45 minutes north of the Kansas City metro and 30 minutes south of St. Joseph. Top 5 Ford remarketing dealer in the country — 1,100+ late-model Ford and Lincoln vehicles purchased directly from Ford each year. Ford Credit Partners in Quality — one of roughly 111 dealers nationally recognized for customer satisfaction and loyalty. We will confirm the exhaust on any GT on the lot, so you know whether you are looking at a 480 or a 486. Mustang engine questions, answered How much horsepower does the 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost have? The 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder is rated at 315 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, as published by Ford on 93-octane fuel. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 3.15 limited-slip rear axle. Why do some 2026 Mustang GTs make 486 horsepower? The 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 is rated at 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft in standard form, and at 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft when equipped with the available active valve performance exhaust. The exhaust option changes the engine's published rating, which is unusual and often overlooked when comparing two GTs. What is the difference between the GT and Dark Horse engines? The GT uses the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 rated at 480 horsepower, or 486 with the active valve performance exhaust. The Dark Horse uses a modified Gen-4 5.0L Coyote V8 rated at 500 horsepower with a dual air intake box, dual throttle body, unique intake manifold, performance-enhanced calibration, and engine oil, transmission and differential coolers. Which 2026 Mustang engines offer a manual transmission? Only the V8 models. The GT and GT Premium come standard with an MT82-D4 6-speed manual with rev matching, and the Dark Horse comes standard with a TREMEC 6-speed manual. The 2.3L EcoBoost is offered with a 10-speed automatic only, and the automatic is available as an alternative on the V8 models. Does the 2026 Ford Mustang require premium fuel? Ford publishes all Mustang horsepower and torque ratings on 93-octane fuel and does not publish a regular-fuel figure. The 315, 480, 486, 500, and 795 horsepower ratings across the lineup are all premium-fuel numbers, so premium should be part of your running-cost expectation. What rear axle ratio does the 2026 Mustang use? It varies by engine, transmission, and package. The EcoBoost uses a 3.15 limited-slip axle, or a 3.55 Torsen with the RTR Package. The GT uses 3.55 with the manual and 3.15 with the automatic, with the GT Performance Package bringing a TORSEN differential at 3.73 manual or 3.55 automatic. The Dark Horse uses a 3.73 TORSEN with the manual and 3.55 TORSEN with the automatic. All Mustangs use a limited-slip differential. Keep researching the 2026 Mustang Once the engine is settled, the trim and the color are next. Our 2026 Mustang trims guide covers all five series and the packages that trip people up, and the colors guide has all ten with swatches and paint codes. The complete 2026 Ford Mustang buyer's guide pulls it together, and the Ford Mustang at Sneed Ford is the place to start on the model overall. Search Mustang Inventory Contact Sneed Ford Call 816-409-1975 Carey Sneed Dennis Sneed Ford · Gower, MO · 30 Years Family-Owned Carey Sneed represents the second generation at Dennis Sneed Ford, a Ford Credit Partners in Quality dealer and one of the Top 5 Ford remarketing dealers in the country. Meet the Sneed Ford team → Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure accuracy, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Specifications verified against Ford's published 2026 Mustang specifications and window stickers on our own inventory. Horsepower and torque ratings are as published by Ford on 93-octane fuel. Engine, transmission, axle, and package availability varies by series and changes through the model year. Confirm the exact equipment on any specific vehicle via its window sticker. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How much horsepower does the 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost have?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder is rated at 315 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, as published by Ford on 93-octane fuel. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 3.15 limited-slip rear axle."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why do some 2026 Mustang GTs make 486 horsepower?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 is rated at 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft in standard form, and at 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft when equipped with the available active valve performance exhaust. The exhaust option changes the engine's published rating, which is unusual and often overlooked when comparing two GTs."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between the GT and Dark Horse engines?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The GT uses the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 rated at 480 horsepower, or 486 with the active valve performance exhaust. The Dark Horse uses a modified Gen-4 5.0L Coyote V8 rated at 500 horsepower with a dual air intake box, dual throttle body, unique intake manifold, performance-enhanced calibration, and engine oil, transmission and differential coolers."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which 2026 Mustang engines offer a manual transmission?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Only the V8 models. The GT and GT Premium come standard with an MT82-D4 6-speed manual with rev matching, and the Dark Horse comes standard with a TREMEC 6-speed manual. The 2.3L EcoBoost is offered with a 10-speed automatic only, and the automatic is available as an alternative on the V8 models."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does the 2026 Ford Mustang require premium fuel?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ford publishes all Mustang horsepower and torque ratings on 93-octane fuel and does not publish a regular-fuel figure. The 315, 480, 486, 500, and 795 horsepower ratings across the lineup are all premium-fuel numbers, so premium should be part of your running-cost expectation."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What rear axle ratio does the 2026 Mustang use?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It varies by engine, transmission, and package. The EcoBoost uses a 3.15 limited-slip axle, or a 3.55 Torsen with the RTR Package. The GT uses 3.55 with the manual and 3.15 with the automatic, with the GT Performance Package bringing a TORSEN differential at 3.73 manual or 3.55 automatic. The Dark Horse uses a 3.73 TORSEN with the manual and 3.55 TORSEN with the automatic. All Mustangs use a limited-slip differential."}}]}

Five series, two body styles, and a package list long enough that two Mustangs wearing the same badge can be genuinely different cars. The trim ladder is the easy part. The packages are where people get lost, and where the interesting hardware lives. Here is what actually separates EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse. How many trims does the 2026 Ford Mustang come in? The 2026 Ford Mustang comes in five series: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse. EcoBoost models use the turbocharged four-cylinder, GT and GT Premium use the 5.0L V8, and the Dark Horse is the performance flagship. All five are offered as a fastback; three are available as a convertible. The ladder is simpler than it looks once you see the pattern. Each nameplate has a standard version and a Premium version, and Premium means comfort and technology rather than performance. An EcoBoost Premium is not faster than an EcoBoost. A GT Premium is not faster than a GT. The engine changes at GT; everything else in the ladder is equipment. The short version: EcoBoost is the daily driver. EcoBoost Premium is the comfortable daily driver. GT is the V8. GT Premium is the comfortable V8 and the only V8 convertible. Dark Horse is the track car you can register. What is the difference between each 2026 Mustang trim? Three things separate them: which engine comes standard, how much comfort and technology is included, and how much performance hardware is fitted. All five share the same 107-inch wheelbase, four-seat cabin, and rear-wheel-drive layout. The Foundation Mustang EcoBoost Not a stripped car. The 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four with a 10-speed automatic, a 3.15 limited-slip rear axle, electronic line-lock for track use, selectable drive modes, and Track Apps. Inside, a 12.4-inch digital cluster paired with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cloth bucket seats. Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard, as is a flat-bottom steering wheel. Rides on 18-inch Shadow Silver cast aluminum wheels. Comfort and Tech Mustang EcoBoost Premium The same car with the equipment people notice daily. ActiveX seating material, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting with MyColor, approach detection with welcome lighting, premium door trim, a nine-speaker audio system with SiriusXM 360L, and Ford app remote start. The High package adds Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise and lane centering, the magnesium-framed panoramic curved display, memory seat and mirrors, and leather-trimmed seats with color accents. The V8 Mustang GT Where the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 arrives, and with it a standard MT82-D4 6-speed manual with rev matching. Adds a 3.55 limited-slip rear axle, larger brake rotors with four-piston fixed calipers, a hood vent, a unique front fascia, high-gloss black grille, dual 3.5-inch exhaust, and 18-inch Ebony Black painted aluminum wheels on 255/45 tires. The High package brings a nine-speaker system, ambient lighting, a power driver seat, and heated seats. V8 Plus Comfort Mustang GT Premium GT hardware with the Premium interior: ActiveX seating, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror, approach detection, and 19-inch Shadow Silver painted aluminum wheels. The High package adds Co-Pilot360 Assist+, the panoramic curved display, memory settings, and leather-trimmed seats with color accents. This is the only V8 Mustang offered as a convertible, and the only series that can take the new FX Package. Performance Flagship Mustang Dark Horse Built on GT High package content, then re-engineered. A modified Gen-4 5.0L Coyote V8, a 3.55 TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, Brembo six-piston front calipers with larger rotors, active valve performance exhaust with black tips, a dual air intake box and dual throttle body, engine oil, transmission and differential coolers, heavy-duty front springs, standard MagneRide damping, a standard drift brake, and a K-brace. Rolls on staggered 19-inch Tarnished Dark wheels with summer tires. The instrument panel carries a Dark Horse badge with a unique chassis number. Fastback only. Which packages are worth knowing about? Five matter most. The GT Performance Package adds Brembo brakes, a TORSEN differential, and chassis hardware to the GT. The Dark Horse Handling Package adds wider wheels and a track aero kit. The FX, RTR, and Bronze Appearance packages change the car's look and, in the RTR's case, its hardware. GT Performance Package The one that changes how a GT drives. Staggered 19-inch Carbonized Gray wheels on summer tires, Brembo brakes with performance linings, an electric drift brake, front tow hooks, heavy-duty front springs, a K-brace and strut-tower brace, an upsized rear sway bar, a performance raised rear wing, and a TORSEN differential — 3.73 with the manual, 3.55 with the automatic. Also brings unique chassis, steering, ABS, and stability control tuning. Dark Horse Handling Package For a car already set up seriously. Wider staggered 19-inch wheels with 305-series front and 315-series rear tires, adjustable strut top mounts fitted at the plant, magnetic damping, a performance rear spoiler with a Gurney flap, revised chassis tuning, and a performance front aero splitter shipped with the car for installation after purchase. Mustang RTR Package NEW FOR 2026 Exclusive to the EcoBoost fastback, developed with Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Vehicles, and it is a genuine hardware package rather than an appearance one. Anti-lag turbocharger technology, a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip axle, Brembo brakes, an electric drift brake, Dark Horse rear subframe with stiffer bushings, Dark Horse handling-pack stabilizer bars and adjustable strut top mounts, a 30mm wheel offset, active valve performance exhaust, paddle shifters, and unique stability control with a drift and track alignment. Mustang FX Package NEW FOR 2026 Exclusive to GT Premium, fastback or convertible. Oxford White painted cast aluminum wheels, Oxford White badging front, side and rear, black mirror caps, a high-gloss black grille with Dark Carbonized Gray inserts, black-bezel headlamps, unique white taillamps, and a unique rear window graphic on the fastback. Appearance packages The Bronze Appearance Package brings Sinister Bronze wheels and badges with a bronze-insert grille and spoiler delete. The Mustang Nite Pony Package goes the other way with Ebony Black wheels, black badges and mirror caps, and a painted black roof. The Dark Horse Appearance Package adds a black roof, blue seat accents, Notorious Blue calipers, a unique hood graphic, and unlocks the exclusive Blue Ember Metallic paint. Worth knowing before you configure: most of these packages exclude each other. Bronze Appearance, Nite Pony, RTR, and FX cannot be combined, and several exclude specific wheels, stripes, and paint colors. The Mustang has more ordering restrictions than anything else we sell — call and we will confirm a combination can actually be built before you commit to it. Which 2026 Mustang trim should you buy? For most buyers, EcoBoost Premium or GT. EcoBoost Premium gives you the comfort equipment that matters daily without the V8's running costs. GT is the answer if you want the V8 and the manual, and it is the least expensive way into one. If you want Look at A daily driver with real character EcoBoost or EcoBoost Premium The V8 and a manual gearbox GT The V8 with heated and cooled seats GT Premium A V8 convertible GT Premium, the only one offered Track capability out of the box Dark Horse Serious hardware on a four-cylinder EcoBoost fastback with the RTR Package The RTR Package deserves a second look if you had written off the EcoBoost. It brings Dark Horse suspension components, Brembo brakes, a Torsen differential, and a drift brake to the four-cylinder car. That is a genuinely different proposition from a standard EcoBoost, and it is the only place in the lineup you can get that combination. Search Mustang Inventory Value Your Trade Call 816-409-1975 THE SNEED DIFFERENCE We will tell you which combinations can actually be built Dennis Sneed Ford has been family-owned in Gower, MO for 30 years, about 45 minutes north of the Kansas City metro and 30 minutes south of St. Joseph. Top 5 Ford remarketing dealer in the country — 1,100+ late-model Ford and Lincoln vehicles purchased directly from Ford each year. Ford Credit Partners in Quality — one of roughly 111 dealers nationally recognized for customer satisfaction and loyalty. We factory-order — tell us the series, body style, transmission, and package combination you want and we will confirm it before you commit. 2026 Ford Mustang trim questions, answered How many trims does the 2026 Ford Mustang have? Five series: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse. EcoBoost models use the 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder, GT and GT Premium use the 5.0L V8, and the Dark Horse is the performance flagship with a modified 5.0L Coyote V8. All five are offered as a fastback and three are available as a convertible. What is the difference between Mustang GT and GT Premium? Performance hardware is the same; the difference is interior equipment. GT Premium adds ActiveX seating material, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror, approach detection lighting, and 19-inch Shadow Silver painted aluminum wheels. GT Premium is also the only V8 Mustang offered as a convertible, and the only series that can take the FX Package. What does the GT Performance Package add? Staggered 19-inch Carbonized Gray wheels on summer tires, Brembo brakes with performance linings, an electric drift brake, front tow hooks, heavy-duty front springs, a K-brace and strut-tower brace, an upsized rear sway bar, a performance raised rear wing, and a TORSEN differential with a 3.73 axle ratio on the manual or 3.55 on the automatic. It also brings unique chassis, steering, ABS, and stability control tuning. What is the Mustang RTR Package? A performance package exclusive to the 2026 Mustang EcoBoost fastback, developed with RTR Vehicles. It adds anti-lag turbocharger technology, a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip axle, Brembo brakes, an electric drift brake, Dark Horse rear subframe and handling-pack components, a 30mm wheel offset, active valve performance exhaust, and unique stability control with a drift and track alignment. What is the difference between the Mustang GT and Dark Horse? The Dark Horse uses a modified Gen-4 5.0L Coyote V8 instead of the GT's 5.0L Ti-VCT V8, and adds a TORSEN limited-slip axle, Brembo six-piston front calipers, active valve performance exhaust, a dual air intake box and dual throttle body, engine oil, transmission and differential coolers, standard MagneRide damping, a standard drift brake, and unique chassis tuning. It is offered as a fastback only. Can you combine Mustang appearance packages? Generally no. The Bronze Appearance Package, Mustang Nite Pony Package, RTR Package, and FX Package exclude one another, and several also exclude specific wheels, stripe options, and paint colors. Confirm any combination before ordering, since a number of them cannot be built together. Keep researching the 2026 Mustang Once the trim is settled, the engine and the body style are the next two calls. The 2026 Mustang colors guide covers all ten colors with swatches and paint codes, and the complete 2026 Ford Mustang buyer's guide pulls every series, engine, and package together in one place. For the model overall, start at the Ford Mustang at Sneed Ford. Search Mustang Inventory Contact Sneed Ford Call 816-409-1975 Carey Sneed Dennis Sneed Ford · Gower, MO · 30 Years Family-Owned Carey Sneed represents the second generation at Dennis Sneed Ford, a Ford Credit Partners in Quality dealer and one of the Top 5 Ford remarketing dealers in the country. Meet the Sneed Ford team → Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure accuracy, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Specifications verified against Ford's published 2026 Mustang specifications and window stickers on our own inventory. Equipment, package content, and package availability vary by series and equipment group and change through the model year, and many packages cannot be combined. Some editions are produced in limited numbers. Confirm the exact equipment on any specific vehicle via its window sticker. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How many trims does the 2026 Ford Mustang have?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Five series: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse. EcoBoost models use the 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder, GT and GT Premium use the 5.0L V8, and the Dark Horse is the performance flagship with a modified 5.0L Coyote V8. All five are offered as a fastback and three are available as a convertible."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between Mustang GT and GT Premium?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Performance hardware is the same; the difference is interior equipment. GT Premium adds ActiveX seating material, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror, approach detection lighting, and 19-inch Shadow Silver painted aluminum wheels. GT Premium is also the only V8 Mustang offered as a convertible, and the only series that can take the FX Package."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does the GT Performance Package add?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Staggered 19-inch Carbonized Gray wheels on summer tires, Brembo brakes with performance linings, an electric drift brake, front tow hooks, heavy-duty front springs, a K-brace and strut-tower brace, an upsized rear sway bar, a performance raised rear wing, and a TORSEN differential with a 3.73 axle ratio on the manual or 3.55 on the automatic. It also brings unique chassis, steering, ABS, and stability control tuning."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Mustang RTR Package?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A performance package exclusive to the 2026 Mustang EcoBoost fastback, developed with RTR Vehicles. It adds anti-lag turbocharger technology, a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip axle, Brembo brakes, an electric drift brake, Dark Horse rear subframe and handling-pack components, a 30mm wheel offset, active valve performance exhaust, and unique stability control with a drift and track alignment."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between the Mustang GT and Dark Horse?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Dark Horse uses a modified Gen-4 5.0L Coyote V8 instead of the GT's 5.0L Ti-VCT V8, and adds a TORSEN limited-slip axle, Brembo six-piston front calipers, active valve performance exhaust, a dual air intake box and dual throttle body, engine oil, transmission and differential coolers, standard MagneRide damping, a standard drift brake, and unique chassis tuning. It is offered as a fastback only."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you combine Mustang appearance packages?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Generally no. The Bronze Appearance Package, Mustang Nite Pony Package, RTR Package, and FX Package exclude one another, and several also exclude specific wheels, stripe options, and paint colors. Confirm any combination before ordering, since a number of them cannot be built together."}}]}

This is the decision that shapes everything else about your Maverick. Fuel economy, towing, payload, which trims you can order, even whether you can flat-tow it behind an RV — all of it follows from picking the 2.5L hybrid or the 2.0L EcoBoost. We have both sitting on the lot in Gower, so the numbers below come off real window stickers, not a configurator. Should you get the Maverick hybrid or the EcoBoost? Choose the hybrid if fuel economy matters and you tow occasionally or not at all — it is EPA-rated up to 42 MPG city. Choose the 2.0L EcoBoost if you want meaningfully more power, at 250 horsepower against the hybrid's 184 combined, or if you want a Lobo or Tremor, which come only with the EcoBoost. Both tow the same. Both haul nearly the same. The real trade is 13 combined MPG against 66 horsepower, and which side of that matters more depends entirely on how you actually use a truck. The short version: most Maverick buyers should take the hybrid. The people who genuinely should not are the ones who want a Lobo or Tremor, tow near the limit regularly, or spend most of their miles merging onto highways with a loaded bed. How much better is the hybrid on fuel? Substantially. The hybrid with front-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined. The 2.0L EcoBoost with front-wheel drive rates 23 / 32 / 26. Compared like-for-like with all-wheel drive on both, it is 37 combined against 25. Configuration City Highway Combined 2.5L Hybrid FWD 42 35 38 2.5L Hybrid AWD 40 34 37 2.5L Hybrid AWD (Lariat) 39 32 36 2.0L EcoBoost FWD 23 32 26 2.0L EcoBoost AWD 22 30 25 2.0L EcoBoost AWD (Lobo) 21 30 24 2.0L EcoBoost AWD (Tremor) 21 27 23 Verified on our own lot Two 2026 Mavericks currently in Gower, both all-wheel drive: a hybrid Lariat and an EcoBoost XLT. Their window stickers read 36 combined and 25 combined, matching the EPA figures above exactly. We did not pull these numbers off a website. The clearest way to see the gap is the figure the EPA puts on every window sticker: gallons used per 100 miles. The hybrid Lariat's sticker reads 2.8 gallons per 100 miles. The EcoBoost XLT's reads 4.0. At the EPA's standard 15,000 miles a year, that is roughly 180 gallons of fuel — the difference between filling the tank about 31 times a year and about 44 times. Notice the highway numbers narrow considerably. Hybrid front-drive is 35 highway against the EcoBoost's 32 — only three apart. Nearly all the hybrid's advantage lives in city and stop-and-go driving, which is exactly where its electric motor does the most work. If your miles are almost entirely interstate, the hybrid's case gets weaker. How much more powerful is the EcoBoost? The 2.0L EcoBoost is rated at 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5L hybrid is rated at 184 horsepower combined. That is a 66 horsepower gap, and it is noticeable when merging, passing, or climbing a grade with a loaded bed. 2.5L Hybrid 2.0L EcoBoost Horsepower 184 combined 250 @ 5,500 rpm Torque Not published as a combined figure 280 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm Transmission Power-split electronic CVT 8-speed automatic (7-speed Quick Shift on Lobo) Drivetrains FWD or AWD FWD, AWD, or Advanced 4WD Fuel tank 13.8 gal 16.5 gal Engine built in Chihuahua, Mexico Dearborn, Michigan Two honest notes on those numbers. The hybrid's 184 is a combined system output — Ford calculates it from the gas engine and the electric motor together at peak battery power, using the SAE J1349 standard plus its own motor dyno testing. It is not a figure you can reach by adding two numbers off a spec sheet. Second, Ford does not publish a combined torque rating for the hybrid. That field is blank on Ford's own specifications. The electric motor alone is rated at 140kW and 236 lb-ft, but there is no published system torque figure, so we are not going to invent one to make the comparison look tidier. If a site quotes you a hybrid torque number, ask where it came from. What the gap feels like: the hybrid is not slow. Its electric motor delivers torque immediately from a stop, so around town it feels quicker than 184 horsepower suggests. The EcoBoost's advantage shows up above about 40 MPH — merging, passing, and towing on grades. Do the hybrid and EcoBoost tow and haul the same? Towing is identical: both are rated at 2,000 lbs standard and up to 4,000 lbs with the available 4K Tow Package. Payload is nearly identical too, at 1,500 lbs for most configurations, dropping to 1,400 lbs for the hybrid with all-wheel drive. Configuration Max payload 2.5L Hybrid FWD 1,500 lbs 2.5L Hybrid AWD 1,400 lbs 2.0L EcoBoost FWD 1,500 lbs 2.0L EcoBoost AWD 1,500 lbs 2.0L EcoBoost, Tremor 1,140 lbs 2.0L EcoBoost, Lobo 1,045 lbs This surprises people, and it is the single most useful thing on this page: the hybrid tows exactly as much as the EcoBoost. If you assumed you needed the gas engine to get the 4,000 lb rating, you do not. The 4K Tow Package is what determines that, not the engine. Two limits worth knowing. The 4K Tow Package requires all-wheel drive, and it is not offered on the Lobo or the Tremor — both of those cap at 2,000 lbs regardless of how they are equipped. So if towing 4,000 lbs is the requirement, you are looking at an XL, XLT, or Lariat with all-wheel drive, in either engine. Which trims can you get each engine on? The 2.5L hybrid is standard on XL, XLT, and Lariat, with the 2.0L EcoBoost available on those same three. The Lobo and Tremor are offered only with the 2.0L EcoBoost. There is no hybrid Lobo and no hybrid Tremor. Trim 2.5L Hybrid 2.0L EcoBoost XL Standard Available XLT Standard Available Lobo Not offered Standard Lariat Standard Available Tremor Not offered Standard If you have your heart set on a Lobo or a Tremor, the engine decision is already made for you. Everywhere else in the lineup you get to choose. What else is different between them? Three things beyond fuel and power: the hybrid can be flat-towed behind an RV with all four wheels down, hybrid-specific components carry longer warranty coverage, and the hybrid uses a smaller fuel tank but still travels farther between fills. Flat-tow capability. A Maverick with the 2.5L hybrid can be towed with all four wheels down behind a properly equipped RV, in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. This is a hybrid-only capability and it is a decisive factor for RV owners. Warranty on hybrid components. Every Maverick carries 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. Hybrid-unique components carry 8-year/100,000-mile coverage, which is worth knowing if battery longevity is your concern about going hybrid. Range, despite the smaller tank. The hybrid holds 13.8 gallons against the EcoBoost's 16.5. Multiply each by its combined rating and the hybrid still goes meaningfully farther between stops — roughly 520 miles against 410 for the front-drive versions. Those are calculated figures, not EPA ratings, but the direction is not close. Ground clearance. Marginal, but real: 8.1 inches on the hybrid, 8.0 with the EcoBoost in front-wheel drive, 8.3 with all-wheel drive. Which one should you buy? Take the hybrid unless you have a specific reason not to. It tows the same, hauls almost the same, costs far less to run, and covers most of what a Maverick buyer actually does. The EcoBoost earns its place for buyers who want real power, want a Lobo or Tremor, or tow near the limit regularly. You commute, and the truck is a truck on weekends: hybrid, front-wheel drive. 42 city. You want the hybrid plus winter and gravel confidence: hybrid, all-wheel drive. Still 37 combined. You tow 4,000 lbs: either engine, all-wheel drive, with the 4K Tow Package. You tow near the limit on hills, often: EcoBoost, for the extra power under load. You want a Lobo or a Tremor: EcoBoost. It is the only option. You flat-tow behind an RV: hybrid. Only the hybrid can do it. Your miles are nearly all interstate: worth a real conversation. The highway gap is only three MPG on front-drive models. Search Maverick Inventory Value Your Trade Call 816-409-1975 THE SNEED DIFFERENCE We will read you the window sticker before you drive up Dennis Sneed Ford has been family-owned in Gower, MO for 30 years, about 45 minutes north of the Kansas City metro and 30 minutes south of St. Joseph. Top 5 Ford remarketing dealer in the country — 1,100+ late-model Ford and Lincoln vehicles purchased directly from Ford each year. Ford Credit Partners in Quality — one of roughly 111 dealers nationally recognized for customer satisfaction and loyalty. Every EPA figure on this page was checked against window stickers on Mavericks sitting on our lot, not copied from a spec site. Maverick hybrid vs EcoBoost questions, answered Is the Ford Maverick hybrid or EcoBoost better? It depends on how you drive. The 2.5L hybrid is EPA-rated up to 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined MPG and is the better choice for commuting and general use. The 2.0L EcoBoost delivers 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque against the hybrid's 184 combined horsepower, making it the better choice for towing near the limit or if you want a Lobo or Tremor, which come only with the EcoBoost. Does the Ford Maverick hybrid tow less than the EcoBoost? No. Both engines are rated at 2,000 lbs standard and up to 4,000 lbs with the available 4K Tow Package, which requires all-wheel drive. The engine does not determine towing capacity on the Maverick; the package does. The Lobo and Tremor cap at 2,000 lbs since the 4K Tow Package is not offered on them. How much horsepower does the 2026 Maverick hybrid have? The 2.5L hybrid is rated at 184 horsepower combined. Ford calculates that figure from the gas engine and electric motor together at peak battery power, using the SAE J1349 standard along with its own electric motor dyno testing. Ford does not publish a combined torque rating for the hybrid; the electric motor alone is rated at 140kW and 236 lb-ft. Which Maverick trims come with the hybrid engine? The 2.5L hybrid is standard on the XL, XLT, and Lariat, with the 2.0L EcoBoost available on those same three trims. The Lobo and Tremor are offered only with the 2.0L EcoBoost, so there is no hybrid Lobo and no hybrid Tremor. Can a Ford Maverick hybrid be flat towed behind an RV? Yes. A Maverick equipped with the 2.5L hybrid engine can be towed with all four wheels down behind a properly equipped RV, in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. This capability is specific to the hybrid and is not available with the 2.0L EcoBoost. What is the warranty on the Ford Maverick hybrid battery? Hybrid-unique components on the Maverick carry 8-year/100,000-mile coverage. That sits alongside the standard 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage that applies to every Maverick regardless of engine. Keep researching the 2026 Maverick Once the engine is settled, the trim is the next call — our 2026 Maverick trims guide covers all five and the package restrictions that trip people up. The colors guide has all nine with swatches and paint codes, and if you are shopping used, the used Maverick buying guide covers what to check first. The complete 2026 Ford Maverick buyer's guide pulls it all together, and the Ford Maverick at Sneed Ford is the place to start on the model overall. Search Maverick Inventory Contact Sneed Ford Call 816-409-1975 Carey Sneed Dennis Sneed Ford · Gower, MO · 30 Years Family-Owned Carey Sneed represents the second generation at Dennis Sneed Ford, a Ford Credit Partners in Quality dealer and one of the Top 5 Ford remarketing dealers in the country. Meet the Sneed Ford team → Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure accuracy, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Specifications verified against Ford's published 2026 Maverick specifications and window stickers on Mavericks in our own inventory. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates and vary by configuration, drivetrain, and driving conditions. Driving range figures are calculated from published tank capacity and combined EPA ratings and are approximate rather than official. Towing and payload figures require proper equipment and vary based on cargo, configuration, accessories, and number of passengers. Confirm the exact equipment and EPA figures on any specific vehicle via its window sticker.