4-Door Mustang: What we think we know & what our history has taught us on the Fusion.

Last Updated: July 17, 2024

4-Door Mustang Render

The Mustang Mach-E Effect
Learning from the Fusion
Four-Door Mustang: What We Think We Know

The idea of a four-door Ford Mustang is nothing new—it’s been the subject of rumors for years. While purists may wince at a Mustang with more than a pair of doors, the industry has long been headed in that direction. Some of this movement can be attributed to a declining sports car market. According to Statista, U.S. consumers purchased 342,000 new sports cars in 2015. By 2025, volume is forecast to plunge to 211,000 units, an almost 40% drop.

Yet the Mustang is vital for Ford. It’s not only an iconic vehicle for the automaker but also a bottom-line contributor as the world’s most popular sports car. These factors can’t be ignored.

Ford must carefully extend the model to keep the Mustang line vital. For instance, the Mustang GTD moves this pony car in a high-performance direction. But, this approach only appeals to a limited number of buyers.

Another avenue is making the Mustang more appealing—not from a looks or horsepower standpoint (those boxes are already checked) but from a practicality perspective—translation: four doors. Ford wouldn’t be the first automaker to head down this road. The original ‘’ugly duckling’ Porsche Panamera has transformed into a svelte swan and a viable member of the company’s lineup. While never a sales success, the Aston Martin Rapide captured the essence of the brand’s sleek coupes while delivering four-door versatility.

In a recent Autocar interview, Ford CEO Jim Farley mentioned that a four-door Mustang could be possible. But he remarked that the company will never build “a Mustang that’s not a Mustang.” It comes down to combining performance and practicality—something Ford already knows how to do. Today, that’s represented by the ST trims of the Explorer and Edge.

Steeda’s own 2017 effort with the "Project Fusion" car shows that four doors and fun aren’t mutually exclusive. We’ll get into the details of this Steeda project vehicle shortly. The rationale for a four-door performance car is strong. You understand if you’ve ever tried to install and use a child car seat in a Mustang. The same applies to using a Mustang as an airport shuttle for more than two people. Or worse, you had to trade in a beloved Mustang for an SUV.

The Mustang Mach-E Effect

You might ask, “Doesn’t a four-door Mustang already exist as the Mach-E?” And for many, the answer is a resounding “yes,” as the Mach-E is the rocky road to the Tesla Model Y’s vanilla. Beyond the name, it shares little with the S650 and its predecessors. However, the Mach-E is still a Mustang in spirit thanks to its head-turning design and performance credentials.

With a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, the 2024 Mach-E GT with the Performance Upgrade is nothing short of impressive. This high-achieving EV also leaves the Model Y Performance and the Porsche Macan 4 Electric in its all-electric dust.

Nonetheless, countless enthusiasts prefer gasoline-powered Mustangs—a factor Ford is still quite aware of.

Learning from the Fusion

To explore what a four-door Mustang might be like, it’s essential to look back at the Ford Fusion. Launched in 2006, the Fusion was Ford’s entry to the midsize sedan market, blending style, comfort, and performance. While far from a muscle car, the Fusion had several key attributes that could inform the development of a four-door Mustang.

Design and Appeal

The second-generation Fusion received high marks for its attractive design, which drew inspiration from European sedans. Its sleek lines, bold grille, and well-proportioned body made it a hit among consumers looking for a stylish yet practical vehicle. If Ford were to create a four-door Mustang, engineers could draw on the Fusion’s design philosophy, ensuring a family-friendly Mustang remains visually appealing.

Performance Variants

The Fusion offered a range of performance options, including the second-gen Fusion Sport, which featured a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and sport-tuned suspension. This approach allowed Ford to cater to different segments of the market. A four-door Mustang could adopt a similar strategy, offering various performance levels to suit different buyer preferences. Lastly, all-wheel drive was also part of the Fusion Sport’s equipment roster, which can play a key role in what a four-door Mustang might offer.

Project Fusion: Where Practical Meets Performance

In 2017, Steeda transformed a 2013 Ford Fusion 2.0L EcoBoost Titanium daily driver into a sleeper. Under the hood, a Steeda cold air intake and a custom engine tune maximized power. Meanwhile, more Steeda gear (lowering springs, sway bars, and a strut tower brace) and Koni shocks and struts created a more engaging behind-the-wheel experience. At the same time, its lowered stance and BBS wheel hinted this was no longer an ordinary Fusion.

While this remake was nothing over the top, the experience reinforced that it doesn’t take much to go from good to great. Ford can use that lesson to ensure a four-door Mustang delivers.

Four-Door Mustang: What We Think We Know

For decades, Steeda has worked directly with Ford on numerous projects, a relationship that provides unique insight into Ford vehicles and how the company operates. However, there’s nothing definite yet about what’s in store for a four-door Mustang.

But that won’t stop us from making an educated guess or imagining ourselves in the C-suite, deciding the course of such an undertaking. Here’s where we’d start.

Design

Creating a four-door Mustang doesn’t have to start from scratch. The Chinese-market Ford Mondeo sedan already sports Mustang vibes with a wide front grille, triple-beam headlights, and a coupe-like profile. It doesn’t take much imagination to see this design incorporate a more Mustang front end and a rear with the signature triple tail lights. Add some muscle to the quarter panels and fenders, and a proper Mustang sedan is born.

Powertrain

As much as we like drooling over a Coyote V8, the reality is that the marketplace and regulations are less friendly to these powerplants. But this won’t leave a four-door Mustang underpowered—quite the contrary. The 2.3L EcoBoost has a loyal fan base and proven results in the S550 and S650, so it could easily find a home in a Mustang sedan. For a more wild ride, the venerable twin-turbo 2.7L EcoBoost V6 would be most welcomed under the hood.

Traditionalists might balk, but a Mondeo-based Mustang means front-wheel drive. Thanks to the Fusion Sport, Ford engineers know how to channel horsepower upfront. Better still, make this the first Mustang with all-wheel drive.

Production

A four-door Mustang is unlikely to be produced alongside the S650 in Flat Rock, Michigan. However, Ford’s global reach opens other options, including at the factory where the Mondeo is built in China. Retooling, if any, would be minimal. Plus, a Mustang sedan wouldn’t be the first Chinese Ford sold in the U.S. The second-generation Lincoln Nautilus holds that distinction.