The latest version of the Ford Mustang manages to keep the essence of the popular pony car intact while adding enough features to make it feel modern and relative.

The mid-life update brought a refreshed exterior design, including a new front fascia, new taillights and new color options. Whether the changes made the Mustang look better (or not) falls into the subjective side of things.

The updated 5.0-liter V8 engine produces 460hp and 420lb-ft of torque, as well as a thunderous soundtrack that never stops to amuse the driver. The 10-speed automatic transmission works great with the V8 engine, offering quick responses and better straight-line performance and fuel economy when compared with a manual-equipped V8.

However, being offered a two-door V8 coupe with a manual transmission in 2018 is a rare option so think twice before ticking the box of the automatic gearbox.

Entry-level Mustangs get Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder unit, offering 310hp and 350lb-ft of torque. That’s more than enough for the 2018 Mustang, but then again a V8 engine will always be the default choice in the range.

There’s a full range of active safety systems too, as well as some other that help you destroy your rear tires more quickly than advised; these include the so-called Drag-Strip model and the Line-Lock, with the latter making burnouts a walk in the park.

Is it really that good? Let’s see what Kelley Blue Book has to say on the video that follows.