BMW EXPANDS 2-SERIES PORTFOLIO WITH LAUNCH OF 2020 M235i XDRIVE GRAN COUPE

Here we go again.

If memory serves, which it doesn’t always, Mercedes-Benz was the first to muddy the coupe-sedan waters when it introduced the idea of a four-door coupe a few years ago. Until then, it had been pretty accepted that a sedan had four doors, a coupe two.

Now BMW has jumped in with a version of its 2-Series coupes with a powerful four-door model it dubs a “Gran Coupe.”

A four-door sedan in the real world, the 2020 BMW M235i xDrive Grand Coupe has the sloping roofline of coupe and shares a platform with BMW’s X2 crossover SUV. It delivers a lively driving experience one would expect from a BMW model that has undergone “M” performance upgrades.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline 4-cylinder rated at 301 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that can be operated manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The website zeroto60times.com reports a zero-to-60 mph clocking of 4.6 seconds for the M235i, which should satisfy all but the most power hungry among us. 

For those seeking even quicker times in the 2-Series, the new M2 CS clocks in at under 3 seconds. There’s also a slightly less punchy 228i xDrive Gran Coupe rated at 228 hp and 258 lb.-ft. in the 2-Series portfolio.

Fuel consumption for the M235i is a respectable 23 miles-per-gallon, city, 32 highway, and 26 overall using premium gas, of course.

Though the M235i gets such M treatments as the upgraded Performance engine and distinct M Sport Brakes, M suspension, M steering wheel, and M Sport seats, it also comes with BMW’s very “un-M-like” all-wheel-drive xDrive system that favors the front wheels with power distribution.

Purists used to the customary rear-wheel-drive configuration for M models may not like it, but AWD has its advantages, too. The performance seems just as agile and athletic as RWD S-Series models while remaining a comfortable highway cruiser.

Inside the M235i offers the best in creature comforts with expansive use of leather and soft-touch surfaces. The two-tone color scheme is especially striking. Unlike other Series models that customarily seat four, the Gran Coupe seats five, though those in the backseat will either soon become good friends or worst enemies.

Standard equipment or no-charge extras in addition to the M features already cited include Active Blind Spot and Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Frontal Collision Warning, Speed Limit Info, keyless entry and push-button start, lumbar support, automatic climate control, park distance control, Apple CarPlay, rear spoiler, Anthracite headliner, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with one-year subscription, 8.8-inch touchscreen and 8.8-inch instrument cluster, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control.

Pricing starts at $45,500 and a handful of options on my test vehicle that included $2,650 for a Premium Package (heated steering wheel, adaptive full LED lights, head-up display, and navigation) and $995 destination and delivery ran the bottom line to $51,295.

What I liked about the 2020 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe: It’s very quick and powerful and throttle response is right on the money, especially when set in Sport mode. The front seats are very comfortable, and the interior overflows with soft premium leather. Infotainment functions aren’t the most user-friendly but still are easy to use once you get the hang of the console knob. Some functions also operate off buttons and/or voice. The trunk is a good size for its class (12 cubic feet).

What didn’t like about the 2020 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe: The backseat is on the snug side with less than 35 inches of legroom. With the sloping roofline, three adults likely would find it cramped in the rear, especially when it comes to headroom for taller riders. I would like a larger monitor for the rearview camera.

Would I buy the 2020 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe? Yes. It is a fun vehicle to drive, and offers a nice alternative to the company’s 3-Series, which is a bit larger and pricier.

LOOK OUT ON THE ROAD! IT’S AN SUV! NO, A COUPE! NO, IT’S AN AMG GLE 53 SUV COUPE!

You would think that any person fairly cognizant of the automotive world would have no problem distinguishing a coupe from an SUV.

After all, an SUV is a somewhat boxy vehicle with four doors and a big storage area in the back often coming with three rows of seats while a coupe is a smaller version (usually) of a sedan but with only two doors, right?

That’s probably what most observers would go with, but then they probably haven’t seen the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe.

At least “coupe” is what the Germans call it. Forget about that sporty little two-door with a minimal trunk and room enough for to seat only two adults comfortably in the back.

At 195.3 inches long and riding on optional 21-inch wheels, the AMG GLE 53 “Coupe” is right up there with many full-size sedans, and, yes, it seats five and has four doors for easy access to the back. That alone would disqualify it as a “coupe” in the eyes of many, including auto reviewers.

But if Mercedes wants to call it a Coupe, who am I to argue?

Perhaps the solution is to label it a “coupe-style” SUV to separate it from the more traditional SUV model such as the AMG GLE 63 S I reviewed in May (see archive listings on the right). That’s what some reviewers do, and it seems to work.

The AMG GLE 53 Coupe comes with a performance-tuned, 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged in-line 6 cylinder engine rated at a peak 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque with another 21 hp and 184 lb.-ft. coming from the EQ Boost electric starter-generator.

That results in a zero-to-60 mph clocking of 5.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, according to company clockers.

The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and may be set in seven different drive modes — Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and Slippery (with reduced power and a flat torque curve for slick surfaces) as well as Trail and Sand for going off-road. An AMG performance version of Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system also is included.

Fuel economy ratings from the government for the AMG GLE 53 Coupe are 18 miles-per-gallon city, 23 highway and 20 combined which pretty much mirror the 18/22/19 for the GLE 53 SUV.

The GLE 53 Coupe does have an aggressive look about it, though the exterior is not for everyone’s tastes, at least judging by one of the responses it got from a neighbor of mine. (I’ll be kind here and not quote him directly).

The front fascia has an in-your-face look about it with an extra large Mercedes tri-star logo in the middle of the yawning grille. The bulky rear looks like designers simply ran out of ideas of how to finish it off smoothly.

The interior is another story. AMG touches such as red contrast stitching on the leather seats raises the level of the high-class cabin up a notch.


Standard features included in the AMG GLE 53’s base $76,500 MSRP include a panorama sunroof, keyless entry with push-button start, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display smoothly integrated into a 12.3 inch instrument cluster giving the dash a striking appearance, MBUX infotainment features, a Burmeister premium sound system, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and LED headlights.

Standard safety systems include attention assist, active brake assist, active park assist, a high-def rear-view camera, and the company’s Pre-Safe Occupant Protection system.

Extras such as natural grain gray oak wood interior trim, 21-inch, 5-spoke black AMG wheels, active lane-keeping assist, and a technology package that includes augmented video for navigation ran the bottom line to $84,105 including the $995 destination and delivery charge.

What I liked about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe: The performance is at a high level (not the highest in the GLE portfolio; that would be the AMG GLE 63 S), and it is a very comfortable, quiet cruiser. Technology is plentiful.

What I didn’t like about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe: Sorry, Mercedes, but your designer missed it with the exterior for me. The sloping roofline makes it tricky to get into the driver’s seat without bumping your head, but my No. 1 issue is with the touchpad system for operating infotainment functions. It continues to befuddle me. It’s just too easy to change settings, including radio stations, with an accidental brush of your hand as you reach for something in the cupholder.

Would I buy the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe? No. The downsides (exterior design, MBUX infotainment operation) simply outweigh the upsides (performance, comfort, capacity) for me. But appearance is largely a matter of taste, and you may like the way it looks. If performance is what you’re looking for in a family hauler, have it at!

YOU MAY ARGUE WITH CALLING IT A COUPE BUT 2020 AMG CLA35 IS A STUNNING VEHICLE

It is a widely accepted idea that an automotive coupe is a two-door vehicle that can seat two or four people (including the driver) or, if among close friends, three in the backseat.

But that concept has been challenged in recent years with the introduction of “four-door coupes” that feature sleeker styling than the typical sedan and other coupe-like touches. I once had a friend who simply wouldn’t accept this, insisting that a four-door car was a sedan, a two-door car a coupe, and that was that!

Mercedes-Benz muddied the waters when it marketed the CLS as a “four-door coupe” when it hit showrooms as a 2004 model. A few years later the 2014 CLA also was introduced as a “four-door” coupe and so it persists today.

By any designation — you say “tomato,” Larry the Cable Guy’s mentally challenged ex-girl friend says “bowling shoes” — the AMG CLA35 serves as a spectacular introduction to the Mercedes-Benz family of luxury vehicles.

Designers and engineers have given it a complete makeover for 2020 after the first generation CLA received a rather tepid reception as an entry-level luxury car with an initial price tag of under $30,000.

It looked the part of a Mercedes, but its cramped backseat, stiff ride, front-wheel drive configuration, and unimaginative performance resulted in a rather lackluster reception.

That’s not the case any more. Though the ride remains on the stiff side, perhaps too taut for some, my only real complaint with the AMG CLA35 that served as my test vehicle recently had to do with the operation of features in the new MBUX infotainment system via a touchpad on the center console.

The theory is that as we are getting so used to using computers and other technology with a touchpad instead of a mouse that this should be a natural transition to our car’s system. It is not. I found it demanded too much attention to change a radio station, for example, by swiping my finger across the pad.

Fortunately, reactions to voice commands are more responsive, but why complicate things to being with? It is also easy to give the system input accidentally if your hand drifts unintentionally across the pad.

The other oddity — but not really annoying — is the gear selection lever. Mounted on the steering column, it sticks out to the right and is no bigger than a popsicle stick.

The CLA is available in three different versions. The base is the CLA 250 that sort of lives up to its “entry-class luxury” designation with a starting MSRP of under $37,000. Two AMG models up that ante there with the AMG CLA35 starting at $45,900 and the bigger AMG CLA45 starting at $54,800.

If you are even vaguely familiar with the AMG designation you know that this is German-speak for “more power and performance,” and indeed the AMG CLA35 lives up to that billing.

The 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the AMG CLA35 (the words “Mercedes-Benz” do not appear on the sticker label heading) is rated at 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which results in an estimated zero-to-60 mph clocking of 4.8 seconds according to the company.

That’s not quite as quick as the CLA45 (382 hp, 354 lb.-ft., 4.0 seconds) but is a significant boost over the numbers for the base CLA250 (221 hp, 258 lb.-ft., 6.3 seconds).

A 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode is standard on the CLA250 and CLA35 while the CLA45 gets an 8-speed. AMG models also get the company’s 4MATC all-wheel-drive system as standard.

EPA figures on the AMG CLA35 are not great, but it is probably not as thirsty as you might think. Even with all that performance, the AMG CLA35 drinks premium fuel at the rate of 23 miles-per-gallon city, 29 highway, and 25 combined.

The cabin is high class and resplendent with leather and comfort features.

Standard equipment on the CLA35 includes a panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch touchscreen display, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Mercedes UConnect services, LED headlamps and taillights, active brake assist and stop/start technology that can be turned off by pushing a button

Options on my test car included a Driver Assistance Package, Multimedia Package (navigation and speed limit assist), an AMG Performance Seat Package, and numerous options that ran the final tab to $62,855 with the $995 destination and deliver charge included.

That pretty much takes the AMG CLA35 out of the “entry-level” discussion, but it is oh so much fun!

Now, I wonder what car maker is going to bring back a two-door sedan?

What I liked about the 2020 AMG CLA35 4MATIC: It is a visually stunning vehicle, especially in red, and the interior oozes the sophistication and quality you have come to expect from Mercedes-Benz. The performance, too, is what you expect from AMG. This may be considered “entry level” for the marque, but it is still a high class vehicle. 

What I didn’t like about the 2020 AMG CLA35 4MATIC: The touchpad on the console is extremely sensitive. You can change radio station by accidentally hitting it when you are reaching for loose change in the cupholder. Guess you can get used to it, but to me it is another example of German engineers overthinking technology. The backseat is on the crowded size. The sweeping roofline that gives the CLA its coupe-like profile infringes on headroom back there.

Would I buy the 2020 AMG CLA35 4MATIC? Probably, but that touchpad is nearly a deal breaker for me. But the looks and overall performance of the 2020 AMG CLA35 4MATIC are breathtaking.

MERCEDES CONTINUES TO RAISE THE BAR IN LUXURY WITH 2019 AMG S63 COUPE

If somebody ever would give me $200,000 with the stipulation that I had to spend it all on my next car, at least I know now where I would start.

I would head for the nearest Mercedes-Benz showroom and asked the first salesman to take me to the 2019 AMG S63 Coupe. I just might stop shopping there.

Though there is no such thing as a “perfect” automobile, a designation that likely would vary from person to person, the S63 Coupe comes as close as any with high marks in performance, appearance, technological features, comfort, and prestige.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz flagship S-Class Sedan, the S63 Coupe gets the same royal treatment when it comes to all the things that make a luxury car a super luxury vehicle.

It’s available in three versions — Mercedes-Benz S560 4MATIC and AMG S63, both 8-cylinder models, and the 12-cylinder behemoth AMG S65. This review is based on the AMG S63.

Its 4.0-liter biturbo registers 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, representing advantages of 40 hp and 148 lb.-ft. over the S560. That gains it more than a second in zero-to-60 mph time (3.4 seconds to 4.5 for the S560) and actually is a half-second quicker than the 4.0 seconds Mercedes clockers report for the S65.

That engine drinks premium fuel at the rate of 17 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, which are better numbers than what you might expect. That is helped along by the deactivation of four of its eight cylinders the engagement of the CAMTRONIC valve-lift adjustment system (Google it if you’re interested) that reduces emissions as well under partial loads.

Believe me, you won’t notice any difference in throttle response.

Inside, the S63 Coupe is resplendent in luxury touches such as front seats with bolsters than hug (but not squeeze) your sides and gently engage to keep you from falling to one side when turning the vehicle.

The interior overflows with rich, soft leather. Dual zone climate control, a Burlmester surround sound system, and air balance cabin fragrance system are among the usual array of standard features in the luxury class.

Heated and ventilated seats, a head-up display, and Bluetooth connectivity are givens.

The 12.3-inch display at the top of the center stack provides views of what is behind, beside, or in front of you in high definition images. You select the view by using the knob on the center console to click on the desired setting exhibited on the screen.

The numerous safety features include as standard expected items like lane-keeping and blind-spot assist and parking assist and also active LED headlamps, Attention Assist, and the Advanced Air Bag Protection System.

All that and more are included in the base MSRP of $169,450 plus the $995 destination and delivery fee.

So what am I going to do for the rest of my $200,000 windfall?

I’ll start with interior upgrades such as the 567 Designo red/black Nappa leather interior and carbon fiber/black piano lacquer trim and continue on to the AMG ceramic braking system, the AMG wood/leather performance steering wheel, black DINAMICA headliner, Saravoski crystal headlight accents, and the night-view assist system first introduced on the S-Class sedan some years back.

Frankly, I can live without the Driver Assistance Package that includes Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane-Keeping Assist and, living in South Florida, I can do without the Warmth and Comfort Package.

But what the hell. They add only $4,440 to the cost, which is less than half the $8950 the ceramic brakes cost, and I’m still under the final tab of $198,145.

Now if I can only find someone who will give (not lend) me that $200,000 I’m all set.

What I liked about the 2019 AMG S63 Coupe: The power and performance is amazing. The interior is impeccable. It abounds in opulence.

What I didn’t like about the 2019 AMG S63 Coupe: What’s not to like about the S63 Coupe? Maybe one small nitpick. The Germans have been doing some tinkering with its COMAND system for the operation of infotainment functions like audio and navigation, and it’s not really any more user-friendly than its predecessor. But the panoramic view provided by rear cameras is spectacular.

Would I buy the 2019 AMG S63 Coupe? If I were a billionaire, yes, in a heartbeat.

NOTHING RAISES THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT MORE THAN TIME IN A 2019 AMG CLS 53 COUPE

Travel during the holidays, especially if it involves flying, can be especially trying, tiring, and frustrating, so as an auto reviewer it’s nice to know that a new vehicle will be waiting at the local Park-N-Fly when I get home.

Like on my recent return from a visit to my daughter’s for Christmas.

A text earlier in the day before we left on our return flight home had informed me that the car would be waiting for me courtesy of my friendly press fleet fleet folks.

Frankly, knowing that any vehicle would be there helps ease the pain of sitting three hours on a jam-packed airplane and then negotiating the looonnngggg American Airlines concourse at Miami International with a carryon bag that seemed to have gained a few pounds since it was last packed.

That it was a new 2019 AMG CLS 53 was a bonus.

The 53-Series is new model to CLS Coupe, E-Class Coupe, and E-Class Cabriolet models in the Mercedes-Benz stable for 2019.

The AMG CLS 53 is top-of-the-line among the other CLS offerings (450 Coupe and 450 4MATIC) and, as the AMG designation suggests, is the most performance-oriented of the group.

Its 3.0-liter, gas turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine is tuned for 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of peak torque and it gets another 21 hp and 184 from the new EQ Boost auxiliary power system.

The EQ Boost starter-alternator in electric motor fitted between the engine and the transmission which, among other functions, provides mild hybrid functions like helping boost fuel mileage to a respectable 21 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 23 combined.

But wait! There’s more!

The EQ Boost system also smooths out restarts after the stop-start system is engaged when you come to a complete stop, making the transition and restart barely noticeable. 
And EQ Boost provides for a quicker increase in acceleration by eliminating turbo lag, a common characteristic with turbocharged engines.

With a 9-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes-Benz’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the company says the AMG CLS 53 will scoot from zero-to-60 mph in an estimated 4.4 seconds.

Five drive modes are offered to alter driving characteristics to your preferences. Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport-plus, and Individual operate as an automatic, and you may also select gears manually via paddle shifters by pressing the “M” button on the center console.

Performance is not the only area where the CLS 53 stands out. Its looks are stunning, Starting with its famed, large 3-point start in the center of a new black lattice pattern grille and continuing with its slick profile and its chromed-tipped exhaust pipes, the styling is both aggressive and refined.


Magnificent is probably the best word to describe the interior. The plush leather seats coddle your back and bottom, and multi-color ambient lighting enhances the visual experience. Setting the driving mode in Comfort yields a quiet, comfortable, sure ride while Sport and Sport-plus add to the overall experience with sharp notes from the dual quad exhaust when gearing down.

A 12.3-inch panoramic display screen dominates at the top of the center stack providing a wide view for operation of technological features like standard navigation, audio, and dual-zone climate control off the touchpad controller or knob at the center of the console. This is not a touchscreen, which too often can become blurred with unsightly fingerprints especially in sunlight.

Mercedes brands the AMG CLS 53 as a coupe, which is a subject for some discussion. Sharp observers among you notice it comes with four doors, which has become associated with a sedan versus the coupe’s traditional two doors.

But the profile fits a more couple-like sleekness than a sedan, and past models seated only four as is typical of the coupe class. Frankly it is an issue not worth quibbling over. If the Germans say it’s a coupe, it’s a coupe!

The AMG CLS 53 carries a base MSRP of $79,900, but the $995 destination and delivery charge quickly gets the price over the $80,000 mark, and the addition of packages and options can get the final tab into six figures.

My test AMG CLS 53 came with several extras with the three most expensive $4,550 for the Burmeister 3D Surround Sound system; $2,990 for AMG Magna Gray/ Espresso Brown leather upholstery; and $2,250 for a suite of safety features that included steering assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist (which can be a bit overly aggressive at times), blind-spot assist, and more.

All that ran the total to $103,010. Yes, I agree that’s a lot. Since I rarely buy lotto tickets, I’m just going to hope that I may already be a winner in the Publisher’s Sweepstakes.

What I liked about the 2019 AMG CLS 53: What's not to like? It offers amazing performance in a luxurious package with the highest quality cabin around. The addition of buttons on the center stack help simplify operation of the COMAND infotainment system, and the wide display screen is great for navigation.

What I didn't like about the 2019 AMG CLS 53: Watch your head! The roofline that gives the CLS its coupe-like profile also can make getting in a bit tricky. It's not overly difficult, but you need to pay attention. I found sticking my butt in first and swinging both feet around made it more manageable than putting my left leg in first as I am accustomed to doing.

Would I buy the 2019 AMG CLS 53? In a heartbeat. The only downer is the small trunk (11.9 cubic feet) typical of coupes.

FORD GIVES ICONIC MUSTANG MID-CYCLE REFRESHING FOR 2018; THEY GOT IT RIGHT

Having moved it into its sixth generation with a makeover for 2015 that carried over the retro design theme first revealed a decade earlier, Ford has given the iconic Mustang a mid-cycle refreshing for 2018.

Included among new features the company notes are a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine that is mated with an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, new driver-assist technologies like Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and SYNC Connect, as well as refreshed front- and rear-end designs that result in a more aggressive look while improving aerodynamics for more confident handling and improved fuel economy.

With Ford announcing it is pulling out of the sedan market, it will be up to the Mustang to carry the company’s load in the traditional coupe-sedan passenger vehicle segment once the Focus morphs into the Focus Active Crossover for 2019.

To which we say, Hooray!

Not necessarily for the disappearance of the Taurus, Fiesta, Fusion, and the Focus compact sedan but for the continued existence of the king of the Pony Cars, the Mustang.

An immediate success at its launching when 22,000 were ordered on the first day of sales on April 17, 1964, and two million sold by March 1966, the Mustang continues to be a fan favorite.

Ford reports that the Mustang has been the world’s most popular sports coupe for the last three years with the 2018 model playing a key role in that momentum.

Keeping things fresh while not forgetting its roots — as the company did with the Thunderbird  — is a key.

In addition to the changes already note, Ford also dropped the V6model from the 2018 lineup, leaving Mustang aficionados with a choice of a fuel-efficient turbo-4 (21 mpg city/31 mpg highway) or a robust 5.0-liter V8 that is rated at 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that can get you from zero-to-60 mph in less than four seconds when in enhanced, drag strip mode, according to Mustang chief engineer Carl Widmann.

Those horsepower and torque numbers are up from the 435/400, respectively, of the previous V8 Mustang.

I drove the Ecoboost 4-banger convertible last summer (see the July blogs for my thoughts on it) and generally found it to be a very capable performer.

But let’s face it. Muscle Cars are about the big bang, and that’s why I would recommend the V8.

Of course, it’s more expensive with the Ecoboost I4 carrying a base MSRP of $25,680 while the GT Fastback checks in at $35,190. The more upscale GT Premium Edition adds another $4,000 to that number, but makes for a slightly more sophisticated vehicle than your standard Muscle Car. It’s just nice, period.

Adjustments for such functions as ambient interior lighting (you can personalize the colors) and exhaust sound ranging form quiet to track can be made through the information display in the middle of the instrument panel.

You can also change what info is displayed there. If you want your trip and fuel mileage displayed or prefer gauges to keep you updated on oil pressure and water temperature, you can set the display to that.

Among standard features on the GT Premium are leather seats and leather-wrapped tilt and telescoping steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, dual zone climate control, capless fuel filler, LED headlamps and tail lamps, LED fog lights, intermittent wipers, quad tip dual exhaust, push-button start, and a rear-view camera with guidelines.

Optional equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning with cross traffic alert, a Shaker 12-speaker sound system, 19-inch wheels, and a GT Performance Package. The latter adds $4,000 to the cost, but will help you get the most out of your ride.

What I liked about the 2018 Ford Mustang: The Ford people definitely got it right with this incarnation of the classic Pony Car. It looks fast even standing still, and the ability to tune the Performance Exhaust system to your liking (normal, sport, track, and quiet modes) via the digital instrument display is a great feature. It has a pretty good size trunk (13.5 cubic feet) for a coupe.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Ford Mustang: The backseat is almost useless. It is suitable for children only, and not very big ones at that. The roof slant gives the Mustang a sexy profile but intrudes greatly on rear headroom.

Would I buy the 2018 Ford Mustang? Frankly, I probably would go for the convertible over the coupe, but if convertibles aren’t your thing, then the coupe style is the next-best thing.