2026 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is iconic, a car that kicked off an entire segment of so-called pony cars in 1964 when it debuted. It's remained a tentpole for the Blue Oval ever since, appealing to a wide variety of drivers, from those who just like the sporty looks to others who want the V8 power to back it up. If there's been a constant, it's that the Mustang has focused on asphalt-based performance. But now, and possibly for the 2026 Ford Mustang, there will be an all-new take on what the pony car can do by going off-road.

Edmunds spotlight: Mustang Raptor

Seriously, there are signs pointing to Ford debuting an off-road version of the Mustang. If it follows the template set by the Ford's SUV and truck Raptors, expect to see a four-wheel-drive system, a lifted suspension, and a bunch of other off-road hardware. Think of the Mustang Raptor as a less expensive counter to the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, and you have the right idea. It's a strange decision, and it could be an unusual-looking vehicle, but like those European models, there's something appealing about the idea of a rugged Mustang Raptor. It's about as close to a factory-issue version of Mad Max's Interceptor as we're likely to get, and we're guessing an order of magnitude more capable.

Competitors to consider

With the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger both gone, the Mustang's closest competitor is the two-door Dodge Charger. There's also the BMW 2 Series, which, like the Mustang, offers a back seat, a useful trunk and high-performance versions that can keep up with the Mustang GT. Less practical alternatives include the Toyota GR Supra or Nissan Z, neither of which offers a rear seat.

An off-road Mustang? Maybe the world's gone crazy, but the idea is sure to find fans. Otherwise, we expect the core lineup to continue to offer the pavement-conquering thrills that made the nameplate famous.