Ford Shelby GT500 2021 Review

It's hard to believe that Ford will ever make a more ultimate Mustang than the 2021 Shelby GT500. Of course, somebody probably said the same thing when the 1968 Shelby GT500 KR came out, and look where we are now. Still, the GT500 is just about the fastest thing on the road for under $100,000. Ford fits it with a monstrous 760-horsepower 5.2-liter supercharged V8, massive brakes, massive tires, special aerodynamic body pieces, and an adaptive suspension that allows you to both dominate a racetrack and comfortably cruise on the highway.

The GT500 has such a breadth of capabilities that it's hard to compare it to one specific class. On the bonkers-horsepower muscle car front, there's the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye. It has 797 hp and superior comfort, but it comes at the expense of precise and sporty handling. You could also consider the Camaro ZL1; it's super fun to drive but its output of 650 hp will never win on barroom bragging rights. Then there are more upscale picks such as the BMW M4 and the Chevrolet Corvette. So what should you get? Read our Expert Rating of the GT500 to help you decide.

What's it like to live with?

Believe it or not, MatoCar purchased a 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 to test out for a year and get the full ownership experience. Check out the link for in-depth coverage from our editors on topics ranging from performance to practicality to scheduled, and unscheduled, maintenance. 

Which Shelby GT500 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Ford Shelby GT500 is an ultra-high-performance variant of the standard Ford Mustang. Under the hood is a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 (760 horsepower, 625 lb-ft) that is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Only one trim level is available, and optional extras are limited to a few packages and several stand-alone options. Standard feature highlights include:

Shelby GT500 Blends performance with comfort:

• 20-inch wheels
• Brembo ultra-high-performance brakes
• Adaptive suspension
• Limited-slip differential
• Magnesium engine brace
• Dual exhaust with quad 4.5-inch exhaust tips
• Rear spoiler
• Push-button hood pins
• 12-inch digital instrument panel
• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Nine-speaker audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
• Six-way power-adjustable driver's and passenger seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• Leather and faux suede-wrapped steering wheel
• Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

Technology package

• 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with subwoofer
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Heated outside rearview mirrors with memory and Cobra puddle lights
• Driver's seat with three-position memory (not available with the Recaro seat option)
• Navigation

Handling package

• Adds increased suspension adjustability as well as aerodynamic improvements for better high-speed handling

Carbon Fiber Handling package

• Combines the Handling package's features with carbon-fiber wheels and locking wheel nuts

Carbon Fiber Track Pack

• Removes the rear seats, replaces the rear spoiler with a prominent wing, and adds supersticky tires