Happy Mustang Day! On April 17, 1964, the original pony car was introduced to the world and phenomena was born. So, in honor of one of the greatest American cars that ever was and continues to be, let’s take a quick spin in the latest version, the 2018 Ford Mustang that received a number of key updates this year.

Sure, there was a handling benefit, but with the EcoBoost at least, the car just wasn’t enough of a total performance package to warrant that ride. And therefore, warrant buying the car in the first place.

Well, the GT 350’s MagneRide Dampening System can now be added as a $1,695 option to the $2,495 EcoBoost Performance package for the 2018 Ford Mustang. However, the two should really be inseparable, because the fancy magnetic dampers radically transform and improve the Mustang. They are quite simply a must-buy.

Now, I would personally still get the six-speed manual, but I was pleasantly surprised by the new 10-speed automatic. It’s indeed tuned to be performance-minded, especially when you slot the shifter in Sport or toggle through the various sport settings.

Specifically, I’m surprised how often the transmission can stay in 10th, even traveling on hilly terrain, without bogging, droning along at too-low RPM, and being delinquent in its power-delivery duties in the name of fuel economy. It is quite good at downshifting as needed.

Actually, I can’t say it does a particularly good job of fuel economy. The engine would certainly seem to be more Boost than Eco. I managed only 24 miles per gallon despite most of my time spent in the 55-60-mph range on rural highways. There were hills to climb, sure, but I also came down them. My foot is not made of lead and I was expecting better.

“I was raised to believe a Mustang should have a V8. None of that EcoBoost business,” pined a Oregon-mandated gas pump attendant without realizing that he was actually talking to someone who, most would assume, had spent $42,000 for that EcoBoost business.

So although I still have doubts about the EcoBoost part, count me as a huge fan of the 2018 Mustang with the MagneRide suspension option. Together they create a great GT car, capable of quickly, comfortably, and stylishly ushering you from A to B while still providing enough zing to get your blood pumping. And really, that’s what the Mustang has been about from the very beginning.