Sponsored

S550 VS. S650 Body Style

OP
OP
ABEcoBoost

ABEcoBoost

Active Member
Joined
May 7, 2026
Threads
4
Messages
35
Reaction score
28
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Mustang EcoBoost
I vote the Dark Horse! :)

I like them both for their own characteristics. They both look great in their individual ways. Yet you S550 lovin' S650 haters better walk light comparing the S650 to an Accord (which I personally think is an exaggeration) For the S550 front end is a dead ringer for a four door Ford Fusion! hahaha!

All that being said, I am right in the middle of choosing a 21-23 Mach 1. Or a 24-25 Grabber Blue Dark Horse. Like I said, I like them both.
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
ABEcoBoost

ABEcoBoost

Active Member
Joined
May 7, 2026
Threads
4
Messages
35
Reaction score
28
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Mustang EcoBoost
I actually really like that angle, apparently it was modeled after Darth Vader's helmet, and I'm a HUGE Star Wars guy. :)

That S650 rear end doesn't do it for me at all. Too angled.

But agreed, everything is subjective. Some people hate the S550s and love the S650s and vice versa.
'
I think I *may* be getting a little desensitized to the styling of the S650....finally. I'm not in the market for a new Mustang, but if I did end up with an S650 there are a few exterior tweaks I'd make (black taillight panel would be first, and appropriate rear spoiler).

Since this thread compares style cues between the two, there's really only 1 angle I don't like seeing my '22 from. It's the one that reveals the odd-to-me shape of the '18+ front bumper under the headlights. I have a few ideas to fix that too. S650 does not have this issue.

1784029622186-pa.webp


IMO only, the S650 took a step back in distinctive side body lines from the S550's. And then oddly on the rear they're a bit too high with the lower fascia and a bit too "cut in" around the taillights to my eye.

1784030579029-vc.webp
 
Last edited:

WolfMxbee

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
340
Reaction score
351
Location
California
First Name
Wolf
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Mustang Ecoboost, 2005 Ford F-150, 1995
This threads probably not for me :lipssealed: if you know, you know lol but I mean the cool thing about ford is they recycle parts, So much of the S650 transfers over to the S550, I didn't get a S650 cause I love my S550, I only made my S550 look like a S650 because I personally think the S550 can pull of some of the S650 styling better, but you can do S650 door panels, Sill plates, interior trims, forf updated lots of the suspension and brakes that are easily swappable too to have a full refreshed S550 that handles like the S650
 
OP
OP
ABEcoBoost

ABEcoBoost

Active Member
Joined
May 7, 2026
Threads
4
Messages
35
Reaction score
28
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Mustang EcoBoost
Having had both an S550 and S650 the S650 is a significant step forward in many ways.

I prefer the new interior, gearbox (10R80) is much better, more refined and still get lots of waves over here.
You like the huge screens? It's not a big distraction while you're driving? I LOVE my S550 digital dash, I think it's the best dash out there, and very user friendly.
 

ShadesOfBloo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
1,688
Reaction score
6,770
Location
SE Virginia
Vehicle(s)
1980 Datsun 210 wagon, 1992 Nissan 240SX, 2008 Evo, 2020 Mustang GT
it looks better in person than in photos.
I disagree.
Neither the truck grill, nor the Accord headlights, nor whatever's up with those tail lights is growing on me.

...the S550 front end is a dead ringer for a four door Ford Fusion! hahaha!
I wish. Whatever else I thought of the Fusion, it at least looked like there was a wind tunnel involved in the design.

When I was most excited for a new Mustang was in 2014, when Car & Driver magazine showed an artist's idea of what the 2015 might look like, and it had Ford styling cues on a profile like an Aston Martin.
Ford Fusion headlights would have been a decent trade if they made the drag coefficient less like the 2005 Mustang and more like some other 21st century car.
or at least a 1987 Mustang.
 

Sponsored

Gregs24

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Threads
23
Messages
4,782
Reaction score
3,062
Location
Wiltshire UK & Charente FR
First Name
Greg
Vehicle(s)
Mustang V8 GT, Ford Kuga PHEV
You like the huge screens? It's not a big distraction while you're driving? I LOVE my S550 digital dash, I think it's the best dash out there, and very user friendly.
Yes much prefer it. No distraction at all, nav screen is bigger and easier to see. Instrument cluster is actually slightly smaller than the S550 but fine. Sync 4 is a big improvement on Sync 3
 

Strokerswild

Shallow and Pedantic
Joined
Nov 7, 2014
Threads
76
Messages
7,115
Reaction score
6,490
Location
Southern MN
First Name
Dave
Vehicle(s)
Things With Wheels
I have yet to warm to the S650, and doubt I will. I still despise the dash in particular, and the rear view with that steeply angled cut isn't far behind. The Mach E taillights would help (far better design), but not enough. Side profile is OK at best.

Even a deeply discounted DHSC wouldn't get me to jump ship. I'll not own a vehicle I don't like the looks of, plain and simple.
 

RobZ71LM7

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
Threads
21
Messages
765
Reaction score
1,254
Location
Louisville, KY
First Name
Rob
Vehicle(s)
2021 Mach 1, 2019 F-150
I think it looks pretty good in Darkhorse trim in white paint. But I'm not a fan of the screen integration into the dash or the funky looking center HVAC vents.
 

MD18EcoStang

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
635
Reaction score
757
Location
MD
Vehicle(s)
2018 Mustang Ecoboost
While preferring my S550 styling, the S650s still catch my eye and get an extra long look on the road. Early on, I did often confuse them with Camaros, but not so much anymore. 🤷‍♂️
 
OP
OP
ABEcoBoost

ABEcoBoost

Active Member
Joined
May 7, 2026
Threads
4
Messages
35
Reaction score
28
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Mustang EcoBoost
This threads probably not for me :lipssealed: if you know, you know lol but I mean the cool thing about ford is they recycle parts, So much of the S650 transfers over to the S550, I didn't get a S650 cause I love my S550, I only made my S550 look like a S650 because I personally think the S550 can pull of some of the S650 styling better, but you can do S650 door panels, Sill plates, interior trims, forf updated lots of the suspension and brakes that are easily swappable too to have a full refreshed S550 that handles like the S650
I think you have a huge thread on this, but I'm curious off the top of your head, what transfers over from the S650 to the S550 easily besides suspension that you don't really have to retrofit - I.E. - that's a seamless fit? I just upgraded my front and rear sway bars and it's awesome. :) You mentioned door panels?
 

Sponsored

WolfMxbee

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
340
Reaction score
351
Location
California
First Name
Wolf
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Mustang Ecoboost, 2005 Ford F-150, 1995
I think you have a huge thread on this, but I'm curious off the top of your head, what transfers over from the S650 to the S550 easily besides suspension that you don't really have to retrofit - I.E. - that's a seamless fit? I just upgraded my front and rear sway bars and it's awesome. :) You mentioned door panels?
Um, door sills, center console kinda, door panels, visors, Rear trunk interior trim, I gotta check on some more items, I'm about 50% done with my interior swap
 

K4fxd

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2020
Threads
122
Messages
13,483
Reaction score
12,303
Location
NKY
First Name
Dan
Vehicle(s)
2017 gt, 2002 FXDWG, 2008 C6,
Got a 2025 gt as a rental, I hate the dash and the outside did not grow on me. My 17 blows it away in style handling and performance. I do have Steeda parts and my custom tune so not apples to apples. The dash is a deal breaker for any other mustang buy from me. Ford lost a customer.
 

Gregs24

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Threads
23
Messages
4,782
Reaction score
3,062
Location
Wiltshire UK & Charente FR
First Name
Greg
Vehicle(s)
Mustang V8 GT, Ford Kuga PHEV
I have yet to warm to the S650, and doubt I will. I still despise the dash in particular, and the rear view with that steeply angled cut isn't far behind. The Mach E taillights would help (far better design), but not enough. Side profile is OK at best.

Even a deeply discounted DHSC wouldn't get me to jump ship. I'll not own a vehicle I don't like the looks of, plain and simple.
Side profile is pretty much identical to the S550
 

Strokerswild

Shallow and Pedantic
Joined
Nov 7, 2014
Threads
76
Messages
7,115
Reaction score
6,490
Location
Southern MN
First Name
Dave
Vehicle(s)
Things With Wheels
Side profile is pretty much identical to the S550
Almost. And that's why it's the only view that sort of works for me. Rear quarter window is off though.
 

dasrider

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2024
Threads
6
Messages
106
Reaction score
165
Location
Central NC
Vehicle(s)
2016 GT Premium, Mazda, Toyota, Aprilia, Ducati
I still think the S550 Gen I is the best looking Mustang ever built. Even the base look great. There was no way they were going to top that with the S650. But not only did they make it look less good, which is fine, it happens, BUT they made it way fatter. How they did that was beyond me.
This, 100%. I had several sporty cars on my shortlist for purchase last year, and if I were to get a Mustang (my first) it would only be the 15-17 model because of the styling.

If I'm ever to buy another Mustang it would likely only be for weekend/track and something like a GT350 most likely as the S650 just doesn't appeal to me at all. Even the 18-23 took a step back imo for the front end styling.
Sponsored

 
 








Top