Initial Quality – Though the 2010 Ford Mustang is fundamentally similar to the 2009 model, its styling, interior, powertrain, suspension, and technology updates are significant enough that customer satisfaction with the initial quality of the 2009 version of the car do not apply. At this time this review was published, the 2010 Mustang had not yet been included in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).

Performance and Design – Though the 2010 Ford Mustang is fundamentally similar to the 2009 model, its styling, interior, powertrain, suspension, and technology updates are significant enough that customer satisfaction with the performance and design of the 2009 version of the car do not apply. At this time this review was published, the 2010 Mustang had not yet been included in the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL).

Vehicle Dependability and Predicted Reliability – Though the 2010 Ford Mustang is fundamentally similar to the 2006 model that was included in the most recent J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), its styling, interior, powertrain, suspension, and technology updates are significant enough that customer satisfaction with long-term dependability is not the only barometer of how reliable the '10 Mustang might be. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, which measures owner satisfaction with a vehicle’s reliability after three years of ownership, the 2006 Ford Mustang received 2 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class. In terms of predicted reliability, the 2010 Ford Mustang receives 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings.

Fuel Economy – The 2010 Ford Mustang is equipped with one of two engines: a 4.0-liter V-6 or a 4.6-liter V-8 driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. According to the EPA, the Mustang V-6 is rated to return 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with a manual and 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with an automatic. The Mustang GT’s V-8 is expected to deliver 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with a manual and 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway with an automatic. Both engines are designed to operate on regular unleaded fuel.

Our review vehicle, a Ford Mustang GT coupe with a manual transmission, averaged 21.9 mpg in primarily highway driving. Combined with the Mustang’s standard 16-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 350-mile highway range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2010 Ford Mustang receives 5-star crashworthiness ratings in all measured factors. The agency does, however, site a concern with regard to the Mustang convertible’s rear occupant protection in a side-impact crash. In testing, the left rear crash dummy’s head struck the convertible top’s roof linkage mechanism, resulting in a measurement equivalent to a serious head injury.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet rated the 2010 Ford Mustang for crashworthiness.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2010 Ford Mustang consumes between 16.3 and 18 barrels of petroleum annually depending on powertrain selection. Carbon footprint ratings are between 8.7 and 9.6 tons of air pollution per year, respectively. The Mustang’s EPA air pollution scores were not available at the time this review was published.

Note: This review was published on October 27, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.