So, I was browsing through some reviews of the 2014 Mustang V6, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much praise it was getting. As an owner of a 2014 Mustang V6 Premium myself, it made me feel really good to read things like “bang for the buck” and how people were raving about the 3.7-liter engine. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with folks loving its power and reliability. Some were even calling it a muscle car, which got me thinking do people really consider the 2013-2014 V6 Mustang a true muscle car?
I mean, sure, it’s not packing a V8, but from my experience, it definitely has that muscle car vibe. The engine growl, the aggressive stance, and the overall driving experience make it feel like a classic American muscle machine. I was stoked to see other owners sharing the same sentiment. It just goes to show that even though the V8s get all the glory, the V6 still holds its own in a big way. What do you guys think? Would you call the 2013-2014 V6 Mustang a muscle car, or does it need that V8 roar to earn the title?
I used to have a 2011 V6 Mustang, and at the time, it was a great car. I really enjoyed driving it. But, to be honest, the only reason I went for the V6 was because I couldn’t afford the V8 while I was in grad school. A few years later, I upgraded to the 5.0, and eventually, I made the jump to the 5.2.
When it comes to what I think of as a muscle car, I usually picture something simple and affordable with a V8, built for straight-line speed. Honestly, I wouldn’t even classify the modern Mustangs (S550) as muscle cars anymore. They’ve gotten pretty pricey, and they’re much more refined, especially with how well they handle on a track.
I went through the same thing after my '05 GT got rear-ended. I didn’t have enough cash for the replacement I really wanted, so I ended up finding a 2011 V6 with the Pony Package. It came with all the nice interior and trim upgrades, and honestly, I wasn’t let down by the 3.7 engine at all. That being said, I still wouldn’t call it a muscle car. Later on, I had the option to choose between a beat-up 2012 5.0 and the 2006 GT I have now. Even though the 3.7 and the 4.6 have similar horsepower numbers, the V8 just delivers way more torque off the line, you can really feel the difference.
I had a 2011 V6 Mustang, and it was a fantastic ride, but I wouldn’t call it a muscle car. It’s more of an entry-level pony car, which is what Mustangs and Camaros originally were anyway. For me, a muscle car is all about big size and tons of torque like the Challengers. The 3.7 V6, though, is great. It’s got a lighter front end and some aftermarket options. Mine was a blast on mountain roads, during autocross, and pretty much anything I threw at it. Funny enough, 300 horsepower was where the Mustang GTs hovered for a while with the old 4.6s. I don’t even consider my GT350 a muscle car; it’s a pony car, designed to be more agile compared to traditional muscle cars. There was also a time when lightly modified 3.7s were somehow beating Challenger RTs in a straight line, not sure if that’s still the case today.
Respectfully, I wouldn’t consider it a muscle car. The term “muscle car” is pretty subjective, so people will have different takes on it. For me, muscle cars are big, heavy vehicles with loads of torque, meant to slam you back in your seat in a straight line. They’re wild, powerful, and can be dangerous if you don’t respect the torque they deliver, even in dry conditions. With the V6 S197 making 280 lb/ft of torque, I just don’t think it fits that bill, it doesn’t really pin you in your seat. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great car that brings a lot of fun to its owners.
That said, I also wouldn’t label the V8-powered S550 Mustangs as muscle cars either. They’re much more refined, with high-revving V8s that deliver power at higher RPMs, rather than instant torque. Plus, they’ve got significant R&D behind their suspension and handling, making them more like modern sports cars, grand tourers, or sport touring cars, depending on the trim.
