Ford Mustang Review

New Models

View photos
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 MSRP from $40,145
View photos
2012 Ford Mustang Convertible MSRP from $27,145
View photos
2012 Ford Mustang Coupe MSRP from $22,145
View photos
2011 Ford Mustang Convertible MSRP from $27,145
View photos
2011 Ford Mustang Coupe MSRP from $22,145

Used Models

View photos
2011 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV unavailable Find Used Inventory
View photos
2011 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV unavailable Find Used Inventory
View photos
2010 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $21,651 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2010 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $18,404 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2009 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $18,118 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2009 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $14,840 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2008 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $17,134 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2008 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $13,912 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2007 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $15,279 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2007 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $12,179 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2006 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $12,771 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2006 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $9,974 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2005 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $11,230 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2005 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $9,024 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2004 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $8,851 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2004 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $7,046 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Premium Used TMV from $12,917 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Used TMV from $15,937 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2003 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $7,216 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2003 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $5,635 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Premuim Used TMV from $10,823 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Used TMV from $13,613 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 10th Anniversary Used TMV from $14,933 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2002 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $5,624 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2002 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $4,390 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt Used TMV from $6,801 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2001 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $5,019 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2001 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $3,866 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2001 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Used TMV from $9,702 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2000 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $4,552 Find Used Inventory
View photos
2000 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $3,577 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1999 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $4,166 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1999 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $3,154 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1998 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $3,445 Find Used Inventory
1998 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $2,638 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1997 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $3,127 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1997 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $2,289 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1996 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $2,583 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1996 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $1,972 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1995 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $2,372 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1995 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $1,685 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1994 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $2,154 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1994 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $1,392 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1993 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $2,006 Find Used Inventory
1993 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $1,366 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1993 Ford Mustang Hatchback Used TMV from $1,393 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1992 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $1,755 Find Used Inventory
1992 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $1,071 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1992 Ford Mustang Hatchback Used TMV from $1,099 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1991 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $1,645 Find Used Inventory
1991 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $963 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1991 Ford Mustang Hatchback Used TMV from $985 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1990 Ford Mustang Convertible Used TMV from $1,455 Find Used Inventory
1990 Ford Mustang Coupe Used TMV from $875 Find Used Inventory
View photos
1990 Ford Mustang Hatchback Used TMV from $905 Find Used Inventory

As household a name as Folgers, Marlboro or Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, the Ford Mustang is the longest surviving of the affordable breed of classic American muscle cars. Sold always in coupe and most times in convertible and 2+2 fastback forms as well since its 1964 introduction, the Ford Mustang is the only one of the original pony cars to enjoy an uninterrupted production run. It hasn't been easy either, as oil crises, tightening emissions standards and corporate budget cuts have put the Mustang's future in doubt on more than one occasion. Ultimately, though, its iconic status within the Ford lineup and popularity with consumers has seen it through.

There have been many great Mustangs over the decades: Most revered as collector cars are the 1965-'70 Shelby Mustangs, the '69 and '70 Boss 302 and 429 and the '69 and '70 Mach 1. Even newer versions are revered, such as the 1984-'86 turbocharged SVOs, 2000 Cobra R and 2003 and '04 supercharged SVT Cobra. Most Mustangs have had far more pedestrian credentials, of course, but the Mustang has long been the choice of consumers seeking power and style in a rear-wheel-drive coupe, fastback or convertible. The current-generation Ford Mustang is easily the best ever from the standpoints of performance, refinement and day-to-day livability.

Current Ford Mustang

The Mustang is offered in coupe and convertible body styles. The Mustang V6 model comes standard with a new 3.7-liter V6 that produces 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang GT trim level comes with a new 5.0-liter V8 that makes a substantial 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both are coupled to a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment on all models includes a CD player with an auxiliary audio jack, full power accessories, antilock brakes and stability control. The Mustang V6 and GT Premium trim levels can be fitted with high-tech and performance upgrades.

The Mustang continues to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck performance buys. This year's new V6 has brought renewed vigor to the entry-level Mustang while the 5.0-liter V8 GT has more power than even the old SVT Cobra model of a few years ago. The current car's interior is fairly refined, with a soft-touch dash, attractive metallic trim and optional features like the glass roof and Sync system. It is true that muscle car competitors from Chevy and Dodge mean that the Mustang isn't the only pony in town. If history proves anything, though, no competition will be able to defeat the original muscle car in the hearts and minds of the American car buyer.

Used Ford Mustang Models

Completely redesigned for 2005, the Mustang moved to an all-new chassis after a 25-year run on the late-'70s-era Fox-body platform. Ford's pony car still used rear-wheel drive and a fairly basic solid-axle rear suspension, but ride quality and handling were more precisely controlled than on any previous Mustang. The car's styling paid homage to the famed Mustangs of the 1960s. Many materials were low in quality, however, as Ford sought to keep the price tag low as well.

The current-generation Ford Mustang debuted with either a 4.0-liter V6 or a 4.6-liter V8. The underwhelming V6 produced 210 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. It was coupled to a standard five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 produced 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

Key updates included the availability of an auxiliary audio jack, satellite radio and a navigation system for 2007. The following year marked the introduction of the Mustang Bullitt, which added firmer suspension calibrations, high-performance brake pads, 18-inch wheels, mild styling tweaks and Highland Green or black paint. Its V8 produced 315 hp. Other changes for '08 included standard side airbags, while in 2009 the Mustang gained a glass roof option and standard satellite radio, among other items.

Major changes were made for the 2010 Mustang. Along with freshened exterior styling and improved interior materials quality, the Mustang gained larger wheels and standard stability control. Handling was improved across the board, and the GT benefited from the suspension tuning and extra power (315 hp) of the now-discontinued Bullitt edition. Additionally, Ford's voice-activated Sync multimedia integration system became available.

Previously, there were eight previous generations of the Ford Mustang, and given the car's sustained popularity over the years, older models are relatively easy to find on the used market. The eighth generation was sold from 1999-2004. This is the best of the Fox-body-based Mustangs, and like the current car, it offers a good blend of performance, fun and affordability. Downsides include rather crude handling characteristics (a consequence of the aged platform) and a cheap interior with an awkward driving position.

If you're shopping for an eighth-gen Mustang, our pick would be a GT from any year, as it offered a healthy 260-hp V8. If you're seeking something faster and rarer, consider the limited-edition Mach 1 (305-hp V8) or supercharged SVT Cobra (390-hp V8), which were sold in 2003 and 2004. The Cobra is the only Ford Mustang ever fitted with an independent rear suspension; it was also sold in '99 and 2000 but wasn't supercharged. Even rarer is the 2000 Cobra R, a race-ready, 385-hp Mustang coupe stripped of its rear seats and air-conditioning.

You'll also encounter plenty of seventh-generation Mustang coupes and convertibles, sold from 1994-'98. This car is very similar mechanically to the eighth-gen Mustang; the main difference is exterior styling. If you're thinking of buying one, 1996-'98 GT and SVT Cobra models might be preferable, as the '96 model year brought a new 4.6-liter, SOHC V8 that was much smoother than the outgoing 5.0-liter V8. Although horsepower held steady in the GT, the Cobra jumped from 240 to 305. The most collectible Mustang of this period is the '95 Cobra R, a 300-hp coupe without a backseat.

For more on Past Ford Mustang models, view our Ford Mustang History page

Read the most recent review for 2012 Ford Mustang