Ford Mustang Driving Review in Tenerife: On the Road

There is a distinct feeling when you drop into the driver seat of a Ford Mustang on a sunny morning in the Canary Islands. The long bonnet stretches out ahead of you, taking up a significant amount of your field of view. Firing up the engine brings a deep rumble that bounces off the hotel walls, turning a few heads before you even put the car into gear. We wanted to know exactly how a car designed for wide American highways would handle the unique and often challenging geography of this volcanic island.

Taking a large coupe around Tenerife is an exercise in contrasts. One moment you are cruising effortlessly under the sun, and the next you are breathing in sharply as a local bus squeezes past you on a mountain pass. To get a true sense of the experience, we spent several days driving the Mustang across the most iconic routes the island has to offer, paying close attention to how it behaves when the roads get difficult.

How it drives on Tenerife roads

Our journey began on the TF-1 motorway along the south coast. This road is characterised by long, fast sweepers and excellent visibility. Here, the Mustang feels completely at home. The suspension soaks up the miles with ease, and the wide track provides excellent stability. Passing slower traffic is effortless, especially if you are driving the 5.0-litre V8 automatic, which delivers immediate power the moment you press the accelerator. The cabin remains relatively quiet, making it a very comfortable place to spend an hour driving from the airport to your accommodation.

Turning off the coast, we took the TF-21 climbing up to Mount Teide. This road takes you from sea level up to 2,100 metres. As you ascend through the pine forests, the air grows thin and you experience a big temperature drop. The Mustang handled the sweeping uphill corners beautifully. The heavy steering gives you confidence, and the brakes hold up well despite the weight of the car. However, the thinner air at higher altitudes can slightly affect throttle response in naturally aspirated engines, though the 2.3-litre automatic Mustang with its turbocharged engine barely noticed the change in elevation, pulling strongly all the way to the cable car station.

Things changed drastically when we ventured onto the TF-436 into Masca. This road is famous for its extremely narrow cliff hairpins and sheer drops. Small cars definitely have the advantage here. Driving the Mustang into Masca requires intense concentration. The car feels incredibly wide, and visibility over that long bonnet makes judging the front corners tricky on tight switchbacks. You will find yourself crossing the centre line on the tightest bends simply because the car needs the turning circle. Meeting an oncoming coach on this route while driving a vehicle of this size is a stressful experience that requires reversing to the nearest passing place.

We also took the car up north to the Anaga forest roads. These routes are often damp, twisty, and frequently misty. The rear-wheel-drive setup means you need to be gentle with the throttle on wet leaves and slick tarmac. The Mustang feels heavy in these rapid directional changes, and the suspension leans noticeably if you push too hard. It is a scenic drive, but one where you must respect the car and the conditions.

Where this car shines (and where it does not)

The Mustang shines brightest as a grand tourer. If your Tenerife itinerary involves driving between the main southern resorts, taking day trips up the wide roads to the Teide National Park, or cruising along the coast to watch the sunset, it is a fantastic companion. The ride comfort is excellent, and the sheer presence of the car makes every journey feel like a special occasion. We also tested the 3.7-litre V6 automatic, which strikes a nice balance between smooth cruising and engaging sound.

However, we must be honest about its drawbacks. The sheer size of the Mustang is a liability in traditional Canarian villages and dense tourist areas. The turning circle is large, making U-turns cumbersome. On the narrowest mountain routes, the width of the car forces you to drive much slower than you would in a compact hatchback. If you plan to spend most of your time exploring remote hamlets with single-lane access, this is not the right vehicle for the job.

Practical notes

Navigating the resort streets in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, and Playa de las Americas brings its own set of challenges. Tight parking is the main issue. Finding a space large enough to accommodate the length and width of the Mustang can be frustrating. You will spend a lot of time looking for blue-line meters, and you must be careful opening the long, heavy doors in cramped bays to avoid hitting neighboring cars. If your hotel has an underground parking garage, check the ramp clearance and corner angles beforehand, as some older garages in Tenerife are notoriously tight.

Fuel consumption is another factor to consider. The island has plenty of petrol stations, but climbing mountains uses a lot of fuel. The 4.0-litre automatic model we drove showed a significant drop in efficiency during the steep ascent to Teide. Expect to visit the pumps more frequently than you would in a typical rental car, especially if you enjoy the sound of the engine on the uphill sections.

Luggage space is surprisingly decent for a coupe. The boot is deep enough to hold two large suitcases and a couple of soft bags, which is more than enough for a couple on a week-long holiday. While it has four seats, the rear seats are very cramped. They are fine for small children or for throwing your beach bags into, but adults will not want to sit back there for anything longer than a ten-minute trip to a restaurant. If you want the wind in your hair, there is also a convertible variant available which sacrifices a bit of boot space for the folding roof mechanism, but adds immensely to the coastal cruising experience.

Verdict

Driving a Ford Mustang in Tenerife is an emotional choice rather than a strictly practical one. It turns ordinary holiday drives into memorable events. The wide motorways and sweeping approaches to the volcano allow the car to stretch its legs and provide a wonderfully comfortable ride. Just be prepared for the anxiety of parking in busy resorts and the intense focus required when navigating the tightest mountain passes. If you plan your routes to suit the strengths of the car, avoiding the narrowest cliff roads, it provides a fantastic and stylish way to see the island.

Where to book the Ford Mustang GT in Tenerife

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