By: Uday Mohan
October 15, 2025
I heard it before I saw it, low, deliberate, and unmistakably Mustang. The 2025 GT/CS rolled in like a storm with purpose, the kind of sound that makes you stop mid-sentence and turn your head. Then I saw it: Oxford White, clean and crisp, like a blank canvas daring the road to leave its mark. It isn’t flashy like Molten Magenta or Intense Lime Yellow. It’s confident, the kind of color that doesn’t need to shout because the car’s presence does all the talking.
The California Special trim adds just enough flair to make it feel like something more than just another GT. Black and Rave Blue side stripes stretch across the body like war paint, and the 19-inch Light Rave Blue over Carbonized Grey wheels with pad-printed logos are the kind of details that make you linger before climbing in. It’s a convertible too, which means every drive has the potential to become a soundtrack moment with the top down, the exhaust singing, and the sky wide open.
Inside, it’s Mustang through and through. The Navy Pier interior wraps you in leather-trimmed seats that feel more tailored than plush. The aluminum pedals, heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control are all there, along with a few quirks. No rear vents. No rear cupholders. A roof latch that feels like it came from a different decade. It’s part backstreet brawler, part time capsule, and somehow it works.
The twin-screen layout takes center stage, with a 12.4-inch digital cluster paired with a 13.2-inch center touchscreen, both running sharp graphics that look lifted from a racing sim. Track Apps feed you g-forces, lap times, and acceleration data in real time. You can customize the cluster to show AFR, oil pressure, and cylinder head temperature, offering functional, usable performance metrics rather than simple visuals.
SYNC 4 keeps your phone connected wirelessly, streams your music, and responds to voice commands quickly. There’s no wireless charging pad though, which feels like Mustang reminding you it’s still a bit of a rebel. After all, who needs to charge their phone when you’re charging your soul? A cable will have to do.
Under the hood sits the 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8, the heart of the experience. Dual throttle bodies feed twin intakes, and the setup looks like it was designed by someone who still believes engines should be beautiful. With 486 horsepower at 7,150RPM and 418 lb-ft. of torque at 4,800RPM (with the active exhaust), it’s not just fast, it’s feral. The 6-speed short-throw manual feels sublime, with a real mechanical connection that reminds you why this car still matters.
The exhaust isn’t just a feature, it’s a supporting actor. Rev-matching makes every downshift feel like a perfectly timed punch, while the active-valve performance exhaust with quad tips can whisper or roar depending on your mood. Quiet mode keeps the neighbours happy, Track mode brings the drama, and if you opt for the automatic, Ford’s remote rev feature lets you fire off a symphony from the key fob because sometimes the curbside concert matters.
Drive modes let you shape the car’s personality. Drag mode sharpens throttle response while keeping the safety nets up. Track mode disables the nannies so you can go full tilt. Dig deeper and you’ll find line-lock for tire warming, launch control with customizable shift points, and a drift mode that uses the electronic handbrake to mimic a cable setup, bringing digital mischief with an analog soul.
Steering is handled by EPAS with three settings: Comfort for the daily grind, Normal for balance, and Sport for when you want every twitch of your fingers to translate into motion. The flat-bottom wheel feels just right, and the car’s composure through corners is more refined than you’d expect from something this rowdy. The GT Performance Package tightens everything even further, turning the GT/CS into something you could take to a track day without sacrificing comfort on the way home.
In a world filled with hybrids, CVTs, and silent EVs, this Mustang stands as a loud, proud, and unapologetically raw reminder of where the love of driving began. It remembers its roots while embracing modern tech. It feeds your senses with real data, real sound, and real feedback through your fingertips. It looks you in the eye, says “You ready?” and then proves it with every rev-match, every clean launch, and every sideways laugh.
The 2025 Mustang GT/CS Convertible is pure joy. It constantly puts a smile on your face and garners all the right attention from fellow enthusiasts. Even kids stop and ask you to hit the gas just to hear the burble that echoes at every stoplight. So if you ever find yourself behind the wheel of one, remember to find a tunnel, drop a gear, and have a tissue handy.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: Convertible
Powertrain: 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8
Horsepower: 486 horsepower at 7,150RPM (with active exhaust)
Torque: 418 lb-ft. of torque at 4,800RPM (with active exhaust)
Transmission: 6-speed manual with rev matching
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined): 16.1L/100km / 10.8L/100km / 13.7L/100km
Observed Fuel Economy: 15.6L/100km (mainly city driving)
As Tested Price: $82,280