Millennial Mom’s Review: 2021 Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible

It may not be a family car, but my family had fun in this car

Of course, the week that I was destined to drive the 2021 Ford Mustang convertible would be predicted to be the rainiest week ever: rain every single day. I nevertheless refreshed the weather app every few hours, because those predictions change so frequently.

Naturally, I was excited to drive the Mustang, especially after testing so many SUVs in the recent past. However, it’s important to note that — just like the SUVs — I tested it as my family car for the week. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews, you know I have three little kids, and including me and my husband, we’ve already reached a number of occupants that won’t fit in this four-seater convertible.

I get it. It’s a performance car. It’s meant to perform and be appreciated for its ability to — boost in an eco, premium type-of-way, right?

And that’s precisely the reason it’s not a horrible car for families with young kids whose legs are currently short enough to fit somewhat comfortably. And once they no longer fit, well, too bad. I figure that’ll mean a) they’re at an age where they don’t want to go anywhere with me; b) they’re driving themselves around (not in my Mustang); or c) suck it up, buttercup, we’re going out.

Anyway, on the day I picked up the Mustang (a $56,970 tester that includes a $6,500 2.3L High Performance Package) it was disappointingly rainy. Fortunately, my luck quickly changed, and the weather was supposed to be rain-free for a couple days; it wasn’t going to be warm and sunny, but it was good enough to experience the top down.

On one of those warmish days, I took the Mustang to pick up my kids from school. I threw their backpacks and jackets in the surprisingly spacious trunk (323 L, which doesn’t sound like much, but it’s flat, which already makes it way better than 323 L of vertical cargo space in a three-row SUV) and then told them to get in. I’m not tall, but the driver’s seat was squishing my daughter’s legs. So, she swapped seats with my son who fit a bit better behind me, and we moved the empty front passenger’s seat forward.

Once comfortably seated, we turned the handle on the roof; pressed the button to release the top, which also winds down the cute little back windows; and we were finally ready to go.

I really wish I had recorded their reactions. The sheer excitement is reason alone to want a convertible, or to at least do a yearly test drive. They were beyond thrilled, with Nathan screaming “Melody! Your hair is all crinkly like when you use that thing that blows air!” (He means a blow dryer.)

As soon as the engine was off, the seat started rolling back. It’s convenient for the average person driving and makes it easier to get out of the car, but it’s also squishing the legs of my little passengers in the back! Another indication that it’s not meant for passengers in the back.

Side note: with my husband seated in the driver’s seat, there was absolutely no room for anyone ’s legs in the back seat.