S550 VS. S650 Body Style

[ORRadtech]

I bought one, and I liked all of the changes, but I remember a lot of people really hating on the front end, and that dominated a lot of the discussion. Much like when people hate on the front end of the S650.

But the S650 gets hate for the front, the rear, the sides and especially the dash.
I could probably warm to the exterior but that dash is a step too far for me.

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[Arthonon]

But the S650 gets hate for the front, the rear, the sides and especially the dash.
I could probably warm to the exterior but that dash is a step too far for me.

I think most people would be hard pressed to tell an S550 from an S650 when looking from the side, and I haven't heard much negative about that, mostly the front and rear, from an exterior perspective.

I don't like the dash, and while I don't think it looks great, I mostly don't like it from a functionality standpoint - physical buttons are generally more efficient and safer to use.

But hey, it's all personal preference.

 

[MidwayJ]

Only the front end and gear ratio on the manual have gotten lots of hate on the 18+'s. Most every thing else they updated was a hit.

The A10 changed the game for the 18+'s and people have loved what they got out of those vs the old auto.

I agree. I never liked the '18+ front end as well but bought my '19 for the A10 and the added HP, and I thought the rear looked much better.

I really like the 18 front over the 17. I do think that the 15-17 front end was a nice transition, progression maybe, from the S197. But the tweaks to the 18 really made it for me.

Same here, the '18 front was what made me put my money down after a lifetime of loving Mustangs. I love the shark face/catfish nose.

Opinions were always split on the front end. The catfish look was what I didn't care for. In any case I liked the GT350 and Mach 1 front ends best of the S550.

 

[Cdvision]

I sold my 2020 GT Premium 401A A10 PP1 with active exhaust in May and bought a 2026 GT Premium 401A A10 Performance package with active exhaust early June.
Loving it so far. The interior does feel less "Mustang like" than the S550 but is a noticeable improvement in quality. Took some time for the S650 to grow on me but I dig the angles and lines of it now. The Mach 1 with the handling package in my opinion was the pinnacle of S550 design and looks great. Here's my buds ESS supercharged 2023 Mach 1 and my 2026 GT.

 

[ABEcoBoost]

I think most people would be hard pressed to tell an S550 from an S650 when looking from the side, and I haven't heard much negative about that, mostly the front and rear, from an exterior perspective.

I don't like the dash, and while I don't think it looks great, I mostly don't like it from a functionality standpoint - physical buttons are generally more efficient and safer to use.

But hey, it's all personal preference.

Totally agree with you there.

 

[ABEcoBoost]

I sold my 2020 GT Premium 401A A10 PP1 with active exhaust in May and bought a 2026 GT Premium 401A A10 Performance package with active exhaust early June.
Loving it so far. The interior does feel less "Mustang like" than the S550 but is a noticeable improvement in quality. Took some time for the S650 to grow on me but I dig the angles and lines of it now. The Mach 1 with the handling package in my opinion was the pinnacle of S550 design and looks great. Here's my buds ESS supercharged 2023 Mach 1 and my 2026 GT.

Glad you dig it!

The exterior I have opinions about, but the interior feels way too modern for me, it loses the retro vibe of the classic Mustangs while it does seem like the materials are way better (I haven't sat in one before). But then people have said that even the S550 premium trimmed interiors looked cheap and outdated. I disagree, but I don't like that some premium trims don't align. I modded my S550 to full premium trim from the 101A package. and my premium trimmed door panel (from an older S550 donor) doesn't have soft rollover (the top part of the door is as hard as a rock) and it's really annoying.

 

[spawnosuk]

I am also not in the market for a new Mustang. I would like to try an 650 before I really judged it. The fatter body makes the wheels look even smaller on this version.

As others have noted. The side profile looks the same. I dont mind the rear and I dont mind the front, in fact I like the lights its the grill opening. Its way way too big. And for me it kills the front end.

Digital dashes can be done in a much more retro way and it looks like Kitt inside. Not a fan of that at all. The shelby version takes it up a notch but not enough.

If I was buying a new mustang, and I mean new for me. I would get the later editions of the 550 for sure.

 

[Cdvision]

Glad you dig it!

The exterior I have opinions about, but the interior feels way too modern for me, it loses the retro vibe of the classic Mustangs while it does seem like the materials are way better (I haven't sat in one before). But then people have said that even the S550 premium trimmed interiors looked cheap and outdated. I disagree, but I don't like that some premium trims don't align. I modded my S550 to full premium trim from the 101A package. and my premium trimmed door panel (from an older S550 donor) doesn't have soft rollover (the top part of the door is as hard as a rock) and it's really annoying.

The whole retro thing is played out and I'm glad to see things moving away ftom that. I'm 62 and my first Mustang was a 1967 fastback. My 2026 is my 15th Mustang. I've had everything from a 1969 429 CJ 4spd Mach 1 to a 2010 GT500 and even a 2018 EcoBoost Mustang with the Performance Package so far I'm digging my 2026 GT quite a bit. If you look at the dash layout of the 2026 with the one piece instrument/display panel it looks to me like a modern interpretation of the Fox body dash layout.

 

[ABEcoBoost]

The whole retro thing is played out and I'm glad to see things moving away ftom that. I'm 62 and my first Mustang was a 1967 fastback. My 2026 is my 15th Mustang. I've had everything from a 1969 429 CJ 4spd Mach 1 to a 2010 GT500 and even a 2018 EcoBoost Mustang with the Performance Package so far I'm digging my 2026 GT quite a bit. If you look at the dash layout of the 2026 with the one piece instrument/display panel it looks to me like a modern interpretation of the Fox body dash layout.

Hmmm.. it's all subjective but I hear you.

WOW. This my 6th Mustang. I've had a 1997 V6, 1999 V6, 2001 V6, 2005 GT, and a 2007 GT.

I wish I never would've sold my 2005. I loved that car. In hindsight, I regret it.

Did you sell all of them or do you still have a few of them?

 

[Cdvision]

Hmmm.. it's all subjective but I hear you.

WOW. This my 6th Mustang. I've had a 1997 V6, 1999 V6, 2001 V6, 2005 GT, and a 2007 GT.

I wish I never would've sold my 2005. I loved that car. In hindsight, I regret it.

Did you sell all of them or do you still have a few of them?

I don't have any of them except for my current one. I had a 2006 GT base manual transmission car with a Whipple supercharger on it. Funny thing is it's not any faster than a stock 5 L is now. LOL Here's few pictures of some of the Mustangs I've owned. I've also owned some Cougars and various other fun cars over the years.

 

[MidwayJ]

Here's my buds ESS supercharged 2023 Mach 1 and my 2026 GT.

Nice! My '26 hangs out with Mach 1s, too.

 

[PVAMT]

Why did I only realize that the S650 copied the heat extractors and a lot of the body's style from the 6th Gen Camaro? I've watched so many Raiti's Ride's mustang reviews, and I just noticed this. LOL. It's so fascinating to me that Ford would do this...

I'm really happy with my S550, but was curious if anyone else (S650 owners would have more of an opinion) cares about this? I'm not really a fan of the S650 body style and the interior with the huge screens, but others seem to dig it. The interior materials are better/nicer than my S550 (especially the door panels) even with the premium trim that I now have, I'll give it that.

I own a 2016 GTPP. I love the car. The 650 on the other hand I would never buy. I don’t like the interior and the exterior is hideous. The dark horse and SC look a lot better but they gave it a goofy name and a huge price. For that money I would buy a corvette.

 

[Mach1Racer]

The Mach 1 with the handling package in my opinion was the pinnacle of S550 design and looks great.

You aint neva lied! That why I bought one! Mach 1 with the Handling Package literally breaks necks as you drive thru the city and or car show.

Me and my buddy with the Whipple Dark Horse and my Mach 1 shut down the car show.

They just get out their Mustang, walk right over and just stand between the two like “Damn, I wished I bought one of these.” The Mach 1 so far got the most votes between the two but it the Dark Horse holds it own. I want to add one to the garage.

 

[Hack]

I sold my 2020 GT Premium 401A A10 PP1 with active exhaust in May and bought a 2026 GT Premium 401A A10 Performance package with active exhaust early June.
Loving it so far. The interior does feel less "Mustang like" than the S550 but is a noticeable improvement in quality. Took some time for the S650 to grow on me but I dig the angles and lines of it now. The Mach 1 with the handling package in my opinion was the pinnacle of S550 design and looks great. Here's my buds ESS supercharged 2023 Mach 1 and my 2026 GT.

It looks good. A logical evolution of the previous design.

 

[MAGS1]

I don't believe that's true in the S550's case, I remember the car pretty much being universally loved right out the gate. I think what you said is definitely generally true though.

It got crapped on when it debuted. Too Euro/sports car looking, not enough of a muscle look like S197 had. That was the biggest complaint I remember

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