Are Mustang Ecoboosts good for daily driving in snow?

I’ve been driving a cheap beater for years, but now I’m ready to upgrade to something sporty. I live in New England, so snow is a big concern. I’d love a V8, but it doesn’t seem practical for winter driving, and I can’t afford two cars right now.

I’ve been looking at the Ecoboost Mustang—it’s affordable, sporty, and looks great. I know it’s not a V8, but it seems like a decent compromise. Does anyone here daily drive one in snowy areas? How does it handle? Any tips or advice would be awesome!

With good all-weather or winter tires and some weight in the back, you’ll be fine. The Ecoboost has good balance, and yes, it has traction control, which can be disabled. Some models even have a snow/wet mode to help with throttle control.

@Dustin
Snow/wet mode is available on the premium trims (X01a options).

@Dustin
If yours doesn’t have snow mode, you can always start in 2nd gear—it helps a lot in snow. Pretty sure all Mustangs have that feature.

Ford’s Ecoboost turbo I4 is one of the most reliable performance engines out there, second only to the Civic Type R’s K20C1. It’s better than what Hyundai, BMW, or VW offer in their 4-cylinder turbos.

Emmanuel said:
Ford’s Ecoboost turbo I4 is one of the most reliable performance engines out there, second only to the Civic Type R’s K20C1. It’s better than what Hyundai, BMW, or VW offer in their 4-cylinder turbos.

My Focus ST with the same engine just hit 151k miles. It’s modded, and I drive it hard every day. No issues so far!

Emmanuel said:
Ford’s Ecoboost turbo I4 is one of the most reliable performance engines out there, second only to the Civic Type R’s K20C1. It’s better than what Hyundai, BMW, or VW offer in their 4-cylinder turbos.

It’s as reliable as the K20, but maintenance is key. Bad tunes and neglect can kill these engines quickly.

@Rowan
That’s fair. The design is solid, but Ford’s quality control can be hit or miss. Overall, it’s still one of the best turbo 4-cylinders available.

Get winter tires, and you’ll be fine. That said, if you think you’ll want a V8 down the road, maybe save up and go straight for a GT. The V8 Mustang feels like a completely different car.

Plenty of fun cars have 4 cylinders, like the Miata and GR86. The Ecoboost is no exception—it’s a solid choice.

Throw a couple of sandbags in the trunk for extra traction.

I’m on my 3rd winter with my 2020 Ecoboost. I use Bridgestone Blizzaks, and it does great. I started with snow/wet mode, but now I drive in sport+ with traction control off and AdvanceTrac on. The only issue I’ve had is the front lower control arms wearing out, but it’s a common problem. Overall, the car handles winter well if you drive smart.

Skip all-season tires for RWD in snow. Get some cheap rims and proper winter tires.

Hal said:
Skip all-season tires for RWD in snow. Get some cheap rims and proper winter tires.

All-seasons harden in cold temperatures and lose traction. Winter tires stay flexible and maintain grip, even when it’s freezing. They’re a must for snowy conditions.

@Zenith
True, but they’re only necessary if there’s snow on the ground. Otherwise, you’ll be fine.

Just get winter tires, and you’ll be set.

I used to daily drive my Ecoboost in the snow with winter tires, and it was fine. Before I got a second car, I’d even take it out in blizzards for some fun drifting on unplowed roads.

I’m in Canada with a 2022 Ecoboost. Winter tires and careful driving make it perfectly fine for snow. I stick to the speed limit and use snow/wet mode when needed.

I had a 2011 V6 in New England for 13 years. Once I got snow tires, I wasn’t worried about anything.

With snow tires and some sandbags in the trunk, it’s fine for winter driving. All-seasons can work, but they’re not ideal for packed snow.