It's not a V8, and it never will be. But with the right options, it's a quick, capable and surprisingly engaging sports car that's easy to live with every day.

Every enthusiast knows the rule: if you're buying a Mustang, (don't go around a corner) and, you get the V8. This mindset means the four-cylinder Mustang will often get dismissed before anyone drives it. I found that the new 2022 EcoBoost is the car that deserves a second chance.

The 4-cylinder Mustang doesn't have the best record. The Mustang II of the 1970s and the underpowered Fox bodies of the '80s gave the idea a bad reputation that's lingered for decades. The EcoBoost was Ford's attempt to fix this. And I think they've actually succeeded.

The power comes from a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, and a close relative of the engine that powered the Focus RS. An amazing car. Now this car is able to get 310 hp, and torque stands at 350 lb-ft from that 2.3L. That's not far off what V8 Mustangs were making not so long ago, minus the sound.

Now when you go for the High Performance Package you get 330 hp. But, the package brings far more than extra power. It also includes larger front brakes, heavy-duty front springs, an active exhaust, a gauge package, a limited-slip rear differential (better for avoiding telephone poles), a strut tower brace, a larger rear sway bar and 19-inch wheels on summer tires. There's also a further Handling package with a Torsen limited-slip differential, wider tires, bigger front Brembo brakes and magnetic dampers.

A base EcoBoost is a solid looking car with acceptable performance. An EcoBoost with the High Performance and Handling packages is a genuinely fun car.

When it comes to transmission choices, you can either get a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. Unsurprisingly the manual is the enthusiast's pick, and it's a good one. While I have not driven the manual, one reviewer described the clutch as heavier than a Honda Civic's but nowhere near leg-day territory.

The EcoBoost's best trait is its torque. When the light turns green it takes off stronger than the spec sheet would suggest. Around town and on the freeway, you jump on the gas and it responds effortlessly. You don't need to think 5 steps ahead like you're play ing chess with this car just to make a pass. The engine doesn't sound the way you'd think a Mustang does. No shocker there, but that is arguably it's weakest point. Even with the active exhaust, it can't replicate a true Mustang sound. So if the soundtrack matters to you, the EcoBoost will always let you down.

Handling is where the EcoBoost surprised me a bit. It turns in sharp and feels more balanced than its size suggests. It's still a big coupe, though. It's about 700 pounds heavier than an old Fox-body Mustang, and you feel it in the canyons. While it's sharper than I thought it'd be, this Mustang is much more of a cruiser than a canyon runner, even if it's better than I initially expected.

Efficiency is the other big win as the EPA rates the manual at 21 city/30 highway/24 combined mpg, with the automatic improving to 32 highway and 25 combined. That's far better than any V8 Mustang, and it makes the EcoBoost a much easier daily driver.

The interior of the Mustang is a overall positive. The seats are comfortable, but the base car doesn't come with much. What it does come with are cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, a small 4.2-inch audio display and 17-inch alloy wheels. Now if you upgrade to the Premium, and you get an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus adaptive cruise control. That's a meaningful upgrade and one worth seeking out used. Like most coupes the back seats are tight, but it's perfect for your Bichon's car seat or extra storage.

The base EcoBoost starts at $28,400, with options and packages pushing well-equipped Premium models much higher. If you have $30k to spend on a new car, then this is good value for something with more than 300 hp.

The 2022 Mustang EcoBoost isn't trying to replace the V8. Thank God. It's a different kind of Mustang, one that's more affordable and easier on the fuel. With the right options, the EcoBoost is a genuinely fun car that delivers the Mustang experience (minus the crashes) for much less money.