Hot take the s650 is better looking than the s550

[DeluxeStang]

I feel confident in saving this now that we've lived with the s650 design for some time. Here's my reasoning, the s650 is basically an s550, that addressed a lot of the design criticisms the s550 has, while retaining the s550's strengths.

It still has the s550's sexy fastback roofline, and the wide, more exotic stance compared to mustangs from decades past. The front end, the 2015-17 front end isn't ugly, but it's definitely guilty of having that corporate design language from that time period, the s650 front end has more character while being better looking. It's actually made the s550 front end look like lumpy to me. The s650 front end, especially the gt, looks more like a proper muscle car.

The side. I wish the overhangs were shorter, but that's a criticism that applies to the s550 as well. Another element that bothers me in pics and photos, but not in person, is the side surfacing. The s650 doesn't have those sharp indents on the doors, which means in a lot of pics and photos, the light washes it out, and makes the side of the car kinda bloated looking imo. But when you see the car in person, that's not an issue at all. There's so much sculpture, and movement to the body side that it looks great. It just doesn't seem to photograph under certain lighting conditions as well. The rear hips are a massive improvement over the s550. They flare out on the s550, but vertically, there's not a ton of movement. The hips on the s650 not only flare out, but also kick up a lot more. When you see it in person, my God is it great looking.

On the rear, I personally love the sharp indent, the concaved decklid is a great throwback to the '67-68 mustang. It's also taking clear inspiration from the latest Ford gt how it's back bumper has a sharp indent of similar shape. The taillights are a little funky imo, but they'll probably improve that with a a refresh. I'd also like to see a contrasting black element between the taillights return, but it looks great overall.

Long analysis, but I just wanted to break down the s650 from every major angle and discuss why I think it's an improvement. I spent longer admiring a s650 gt yesterday than I did an s550 gt 500. It's weird because I'll see certain angles of the s650 in a 2D format and be like "I'm not feeling that" then I see it in person and love it.

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[DeluxeStang]

The side of the car as well. It looks stubby in some pics, but just right in person.

 

[Mustang1987]

Don't think that's a hot take, I think that well known

 

[robvas]

This is like saying girls in Michigan are prettier than girls in Ohio

 

[Kurios08]

Get both.

The S650 is more modern, sharp corners, American stylized
The S550 is more classic, curved edges, Porsche styling.

Both have their strengths. The interior of the S650s is much wider I feel, and more comfortable over all.

 

[DeluxeStang]

Don't think that's a hot take, I think that well known

You would think, but good taste is about as rare as cool Tesla owners these days.

 

[armyGT]

Having owned a 2020 BULLITT and now a 2024 GT, both cars have good and bad. I liked the clean grille on the 2020. IMHO, the grille in the 2024 has way too much shiny black. I bought a black car to tone down the front appearance. The side of the 2024 is nicer and the tail on the 2024 has a slight edge. The interior of the 2024 is so much better. I liked the dash on the BULLITT vs. the 2024. I don't know whether to drive the 2024 car or play a game on the dash.
In all, good news and bad news for both versions!

 

[Dragster]

I loved the S550 at first glance, but it's taken me a while to come around to the S650. I definitely like it better than the 18-23 S550s, but there's more I would change on the S650 than the 15-17 cars, design-wise. I think the issue for me is the rear of the car: the rear diffuser area on the S650 is a little too chunky for me, and I wish that either the lights extended farther down or the trunk opening was slightly higher because the fact that the cut line from the trunk opening has to angle up to meet the tail lights really bothers me for some reason. The S650 also needs a spoiler IMO, while I think the S550 looked great without one due to the natural ducktail. Regarding the front, I would prefer a more aggressive front splitter, and I think the lower outside grilles should be gloss black instead of matte plastic.

I really like the look of the Dark Horse, but I still think the mascara looks ridiculous.

The biggest design let down to me is the interior. I don't mind the screens, I just think the dash lacks style overall. The toggle switches were cooler than the push buttons, and I hate the fake carbon trim.

 

[Kitulu]

I like that the S650 does not have that weird body line that runs down the side of the S550 and continues onto the fuel filler lid, although I would like to see the classic side indent brought back.

For the interior, I don't mind the screens. That being said, the separated screens in the base models were a bad idea and they look like ass. The "One Big Screen" in the Premium models looks better. There is a lot of wasted space on the screens, however. I think that Ford could have designed the dash a little better to both incorporate the screens and keep the classic "double hump" dash.

 

[BoostRabbitGT]

I love how the current S650 looks, which makes me more curious how the refresh will turn out. I'm one of the few who preferred the S550 refresh over the pre-facelift, but over time I came to understand the appeal of the original design.

 

[Upacurb]

I like my S550 : ) not my car but my spec ....I think it has lots of character : )
I like the S650 also - the Dark Horse has grown on me.... I understand how some might like the dash - but I still prefer the more classically designed S550 dash- If they would have integrated the digital screen into the dash more I would have preferred it - I would buy a Dark Horse before a Hellcat or Camaro- when it comes to the GTs- I mean 65/66 Mustang vs 67/68 vs 69/70 are all different but look good in their own ways the 15/17 vs 18/23 vs 24/25 ...same thing

 

[TUnica]

Personally I prefer the rear on the 550, the rest is with the 650. I have a 68 fastback and I find the rear closer to the 550, however the roof into the rear quarter definitely the 650 shows similar lines.

 

[glenng6]

However you slice it, anyone owning a S550 or S650, should be smiling. I am still amazed how many people like this car. I get compliments from people of all ages. Getting gas has become something of an adventure. I've even had a guy walk over from his pump, to compliment my ride, and show me pictures of his older, very beautiful, Stang coupe. The other day I went to Redner's, it's an Eastern PA thing, and three people who didn't know each other, complimented me. One was actually driving by and parked to take a look. I have basically, a GT Premium Vert and get great compliments. I imagine you guys, with many modifications, must be beating them off with a stick. Glenn

 

[The Ghost]

This isn't a hot take. They're obviously very similar and fit with the times they were designed. But the S650 is a sexier, edgier, bolder looking car.

 

[Ciulster]

Let's just put into simple terms here guys. Everyone is saying the S650 is basically a bolder, edgier version of the S550.

It's literally a just New Edge S550 and I am all about that. The New Edge was the design language Mustangs had at the time when I was a little kid, and therefore is my favourite design probably out of all the Mustangs.

When I saw the S650 for the first time the first thing that came to my mind was the New Edge actually and it was one of the main things driving that intrusive "I gotta get one of those".

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