In this era of global automobile brands, perhaps no car on the road today can claim to be more all-American than the homegrown Ford Mustang.
The current Mustang coupe and convertible are offered in a mind-blowing variety of trim levels, from the entry-level Mustang V6 to the top-of-the-line GT Premium. Buyers looking for something truly special will want to check out the high-performance Bullitt model and the 540-horsepower Shelby GT500KR.
For budget-conscious muscle car lovers with fuel economy on their minds, the rear-wheel-drive Mustang can be had a with a 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 engine. What the Mustang GT’s 4.6-liter V-8 gives up in terms of fuel efficiency, it makes up for with 300 smile-producing horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a five-speed automatic is available as an option.
Our 315-horsepower Mustang Bullitt test car was an absolute blast to drive, thanks to a performance-tuned suspension that delivers impressive handling along with a ride quality decent enough to make this a reasonably practical daily driver. A deep rumbling exhaust note that Steve McQueen’s character in the 1968 movie of the same name would have loved made it just that much more fun.
The Mustang’s interior offers good room up front, but the two rear seats are no place for adults. While there’s something to be said for the cabin’s nostalgic styling touches, the plethora of sub-par materials cheapen the overall effect.
On balance though, we still think this latest version of the original pony car manages to deliver all-American style and performance in an affordable package.
Strengths:
Old-school fun at an affordable price
Classic Mustang styling
Decent highway fuel economy
Weaknesses:
Cheap-looking interior materials
Cramped rear seat
Bottom Line:
The muscle car for the masses delivers a lot for a little, but suffers from a lack of refinement in certain areas.
Pricing:
Base Price: $20,430
As Tested: $34,815
Safety Features:
Antilock disc brakes
Traction control
Multi-stage front airbags
Side-impact airbags (front seats)
Tire pressure monitoring system
Crash Test Ratings:
NHTSA/Frontal: Five stars
NHTSA/Side: Five stars (driver); Four stars (rear passenger)
Five-speed automatic transmission|Xenon HID headlights|Front fog lights|Rear spoiler|Leather upholstery|Heated front seats|Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass|Remote starts|DVD touch-screen navigation system|Premium 1,000-watt audio system with 10 speakers|Six-disc CD changer|Sirius satellite radio
Safety features
/*Antilock Brakes:*/|Optional|/*Brake Assist:*/|Not available|/*Electronic Stability Control:*/|Not available|/*Traction Control:*/|Optional|/*Multistage Front Airbags:*/|Standard|/*Side-Impact Airbags:*/|Standard|/*Side-Curtain Airbags:*/|Not available|/*Active Head Restraints:*/|Not available|/*Height Adjustable Shoulder Belts:*/|Not available|/*Safety Belt Pretensioners:*/|Standard|/*Center Rear Shoulder Belt:*/|Not available|/*Childproof Rear Door Locks:*/|Not available|/*Daytime Running Lights:*/|Not available|/*Tire Pressure Monitor:*/|Standard
Standard features
/*V6 Deluxe:*/|4.0-liter V-6 engine|Five-speed manual transmission|16-inch alloy wheels|Power-adjustable outside mirrors|Variable intermittent windshield wipers|Rear window defroster|Air conditioning|Cloth upholstery|50/50-split folding rear seatbacks|Cruise control|Power windows|Power door locks|Tilt-adjustable steering column|Floor mats|AM/FM/CD stereo|Auxiliary audio input jack|/*V6 Premium adds:*/|Power-adjustable driver's seat|Premium audio system with 6 speakers|Six-disc CD changer|/*GT Deluxe adds:*/|4.6-liter V-8 engine|17-inch alloy wheels|Front fog lights|Rear spoiler|AM/FM/CD stereo|/*GT Premium adds:*/|Leather upholstery|Premium 500-watt audio system with 6 speakers|Six-disc CD changer
