Yes — Mustangs have used a six-speed automatic in some past model years, but Ford’s current lineup does not offer a six-speed auto. Today, the Mustang generally relies on a 10-speed automatic, with a 7-speed dual‑clutch automatic reserved for the Shelby GT500.
This article outlines how the transmission options have evolved, what you can get in today’s Mustangs, and how high-performance variants differ when it comes to gearing and shifting.
Current transmission options
What you can get in a new Mustang today.
- 10-speed automatic (10R80) — standard or available on EcoBoost and GT models, providing broad gear range and smooth shifts for daily driving and performance applications.
- 7-speed Tremec dual‑clutch automatic (TR‑9070) — used in the Shelby GT500 for high-performance, track-focused shifts with rapid response.
- Six-speed automatic — not offered in the current Mustang lineup.
In short, modern Mustangs do not include a factory six-speed automatic; the typical auto option is a 10-speed, with a 7-speed dual‑clutch setup limited to the GT500 family for that model year.
Historical context
Earlier generations of the Mustang did feature automatic transmissions with fewer gears, including six-speed units in some configurations.
- 6R80 six‑speed automatic — Ford’s six-speed automatic used in various Ford models during the 2010s, including certain Mustang configurations, before the widespread adoption of the 10-speed unit.
These six-speed automatics existed in Mustang history, but they are not part of the current production lineup.
Special case: Shelby GT500
The Shelby GT500 is a high-performance outlier in the Mustang family, relying on a seven-speed Tremec dual‑clutch automatic for its shifts, tuned for rapid, track-ready operation.
Choosing between transmission options
For most buyers, the choice today centers on the 10-speed automatic versus a manual, with the GT500 offering the specialized 7-speed DCT.
Consider a few practical factors when deciding: daily drivability and fuel efficiency tend to improve with the 10-speed auto; pure acceleration and precision at the limit are augmented by the GT500’s dual-clutch setup, though it targets a different use case than the standard Mustang GT or EcoBoost.
Summary
Historically, Mustangs did offer six-speed automatics in some years, but Ford shifted toward a 10-speed automatic as the mainstream option. The Shelby GT500 uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic for enhanced performance. If you’re shopping today, expect a 10-speed automatic on most trims, with a high-performance DCT available on the GT500 and no current factory six-speed automatic option.