2008 Ford Mustang

Arrange a test drive, get free price quotes, or read local dealer ratings for 2008 Ford Mustang:

By  Rex Roy, Editor

2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Enlarge Photo

 2008 FORD MUSTANG STYLING | [8 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "Blessed with iconic good looks"
Edmunds: "Eye-catching retro styling"
Autoblog: "Carries the classic proportions and cues of the late sixties 'Stangs"

The decision to recall the styling of an icon is a tricky one in any business, but particularly so with automobiles. Doing so inevitably stirs up deep passions, and it is a very high-risk, high-reward proposition. With the current Ford Mustang, Ford nailed the high-reward part of the equation and has done an enviable job of blending 1960s Mustang design with modern-day themes.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com all agreed that the styling on the 2008 Ford Mustang is a huge success, and Ford's sales numbers support that sentiment. On the exterior, Edmunds feels that the Mustang's 2008 incarnation "stands out thanks to its big grille, round headlights, side sculpting, tri-bar taillights and, on the coupe, triangular quarter windows." Other styling packages received enthusiastic thumbs-up from reviewers, especially the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt edition, which Road & Track says "just exudes 'cool.'" ConsumerGuide lists the numerous other styling options as including "coupes and convertibles" offered in both "Deluxe and Premium trims," along with the Shelby GT500 and the Shelby GT500KR, a "limited-edition coupe that is only available through select Ford dealers." While both convertible and coupe versions of the Ford Mustang 2008 feature retro styling, Kelley Blue Book writes that, on the convertible, "Styling details from the original and second-generation Mustang convertibles are strongly evident, especially in the grille, rear deck and side scoops." Styling on the Mustang 2008 is particularly aggressive on the Shelby versions, with Cars.com finding that "the headlight enclosures angle in more sharply" and "the hood is fitted with two openings designed to vent heat" on the GT500KR.

The interior styling of the 2008 Ford Mustang doesn't quite live up to the ultra-exciting exterior, though it doesn't have any serious flaws. ConsumerGuide summarizes the interior as "disappointing," although they give credit for the cabin's "eye appeal." On the Ford Mustang 2008 Bullitt edition, Cars.com writes that the "interior is simple and clean," with a "hand-machined aluminum dash" and "charcoal black leather seats" that bring "sophistication without being flashy." Other reviewers, such as those at Edmunds, find the interior styling to be "eye-catching," though they disapprove of the "hard, monotone plastics" that abound in the base models. For the Ford Mustang, 2008 offers consumers the option of "springing for the Interior Upgrade Package," which Edmunds says adds "satin aluminum accents and color-changeable backlighting for the instruments."

Conclusion: The 2008 Ford Mustang exudes retro and modern cool.

2008 FORD MUSTANG PERFORMANCE | [8 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "Chassis and suspension deliver both an insulated ride and controlled handling"
Cars.com: "Steering has a satisfying, confident feel"
ConsumerGuide: "GT500s are strong at any speed"

The true measuring stick for any sportscar (especially a Detroit muscle car) is how it performs on the road. When it comes to the 2008 Ford Mustang, you're going to need a pretty damn big stick for the top-end models.

The various trim levels and versions of the 2008 Ford Mustang offer several different engine choices. Cars.com lists those choices as a "4.0-liter V-6" that "produces 210 horsepower," a "4.6-liter all-aluminum V-8" that "pumps out 300 hp," and a "319 hp" version for the Shelby GT. The "supercharged Shelby GT500" offers a "500-hp rating," according to Car and Driver, and Popular Mechanics says the Shelby GT500KR comes with a "540-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8."

The Ford Mustang's 2008 lineup sports a variety of different models that feature engine performance ranging from above average to mind-blowing. At the bottom of the totem pole is the V-6-powered base Mustang 2008. This car is a functional sportscar, and Edmunds finds that "acceleration is respectable with the V6, regardless of whether you choose the fun-to-shift manual or the responsive automatic." Stepping up to the 2008 Ford Mustang GT and its big V-8 engine bring a definite and expected improvement in acceleration, while losing only 1 mpg in both city and highway driving compared to the V-6. Kelley Blue Book feels that the "GT is clearly faster and more refined, and its V8 is one feature many male buyers wouldn't dream of sacrificing." The 2008 Shelby Mustang GT500 sports a 500-hp engine that ConsumerGuide says is "strong at any speed, though not as brutally fast as other cars with 500 hp." Finally, Ford has teamed up with Shelby again to bring out the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, which features a supercharged 540-hp model that Popular Mechanics feels "offers plenty of torque at low revs" and "gains speed with an ease that speaks of 540 horses."

Transferring the substantial power on the Ford Mustang 2008 to the road is no easy feat, and Ford offers several transmissions for the task. Kelley Blue Book writes that both the Ford Mustang coupe and convertible feature a standard "five-speed manual transmission," with an optional "five-speed automatic." The Shelby GT500 and GT500KR offer six-speed manual transmissions, and Edmunds adds that "all Mustangs are rear-wheel drive."

The one major drawback of today's Ford Mustang 2008 is fuel economy, which for the Mustang GT with manual transmission is rated at 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. The six-cylinder engine on the Ford Mustang is slightly thriftier, delivering an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately, the story gets worse for the 5.4-liter V-8 on the Shelby editions, which the EPA rates at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

Handling on the Mustang has been improved with the high-end versions, and the reviews read by TheCarConnection.com generally praised the Mustang 2008's road manners. Edmunds feels that the 2008 Ford Mustang boasts "reasonably precise handling through the corners and a surprisingly compliant ride," while ConsumerGuide finds that the "V6s have good cornering moves." Cars.com also approves of the handling, saying that the 2008 Ford Mustang's steering has "a satisfying, confident feel." For the convertibles, Kelley Blue Book claims that "the rigid body results in far less cowl shake...giving the Mustang a real sense of solidity." The convertible suffers slightly from the increased weight associated with the folding top, but less than you might expect. The much more powerful GT500KR also handles well, with Popular Mechanics finding that "the ride is surprisingly compliant" and "the steering effort has entirely tolerable levels of effort."

When it comes to occupant comfort and drivability, the Mustang does redeem itself somewhat. Road & Track finds the ride to be "firm but not unpleasant" on the Bullitt edition Mustang, and Autoblog feels that the Mustang is "easy to live with on a daily basis."

Conclusion: The 2008 Ford Mustang runs from mild to truly wild—and rides reasonably well, too.

2008 FORD MUSTANG COMFORT AND QUALITY | [7 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "A few less hard-edge plastic surfaces would go a long way"
ConsumerGuide: "Most switchgear feels cut-rate"
Cars.com: "Rear-seat room is marginal"

Despite recent improvements, the 2008 Ford Mustang is still a muscle car that suffers from some typical muscle car flaws.

For the Mustang, 2008 models offer interior space that is decent and comfort, with ConsumerGuide finding "good headroom and legroom, but the cabin feels cozy due to low seats, a high dashtop, and tall windowsills." Cars.com adds that the Ford Mustang 2008 "has two front seats and two rear buckets that might qualify as seats but are not for most adult passengers." Autoblog appreciates the front seats' "power fore-aft and bottom cushion angle adjustment along with inflatable lumbar support" that help improve driver comfort and also "keeps you planted in the appropriate position relative to the steering wheel."

Cargo room isn't overflowing on the 2008 Ford Mustang, and the Mustang 2008 also features one or two noticeable usability issues. Several reviews read by TheCarConnection.com lamented the placement of the two cup holders, with Autoblog saying that tall items "can interfere with your forearm when shifting." In terms of storage space, ConsumerGuide writes that "the size and shape of the opening" for the trunk "makes loading even moderately sized cargo a challenge," and inside the cabin, "storage is sparse, with the door map pockets being almost useless."

Other aspects of the interior of the 2008 Ford Mustang leave a lot to be desired, if not in styling, then certainly in quality. Kelley Blue Book finds that "some of the plastics around the console, door panels and speaker grilles feel flimsy and hard to the touch," and Consumer Guide thinks that "most switchgear feels cut-rate, and padded surfaces are almost non-existent." Edmunds feels that the base Ford Mustang 2008's "hard, monotone plastics" are "disappointing at any price point," but upgrading the interior "helps somewhat." Kelley Blue Book summarizes reviewer sentiment by saying that "a few less hard-edge plastic surfaces would go a long way to turning a good interior into one that's great."

On the convertible version of the 2008 Ford Mustang, reviewers find that road noise is surprisingly minimal with the top down, and when the top comes up, extra shakes are not intrusive. ConsumerGuide is quick to criticize the Ford Mustang 2008's sound characteristics, finding "marked engine noise and coarse-surface tire thrum," and the "V6 growls and booms unpleasantly as revs rise."

Conclusion: The 2008 Ford Mustang shows its muscle car roots in less flattering ways when it comes to room, comfort, and materials.

2008 FORD MUSTANG SAFETY | [8 out of 10]

NHTSA: Five stars, front impact; five stars, side impact
IIHS: Acceptable, frontal offset collision; Good, side-impact collision
Edmunds: "Neither stability control nor full-length head curtain airbags are available"

The 2008 Ford Mustang performs unexpectedly well in crash tests and offers a good deal of safety equipment on up-level versions.

In independent crash testing, the Ford Mustang 2008 scored very well in a variety of different collision simulations. The 2008 Ford Mustang convertible scored a perfect five stars in front and side impact tests, as well as a five-star rating for rollover risk from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Mustang 2008 models its best rating of Good for side-impact tests, while the Mustang scores the second-best rating of Acceptable for frontal offset collisions.

Edmunds points out that safety features include "four-wheel disc brakes and front seat side airbags...standard on all Mustangs," but cautions that "neither stability control nor full-length head curtain airbags are available" on the V-6 versions of the 2008 Ford Mustang. The lack of stability control is surprising in a sportscar, as nearly all of the Mustang 2008's competitors as reviewed by TheCarConnection.com feature some sort of stability or traction control system. However, Motor Trend points out that the Shelby GT500 and GT500KR both feature standard "traction control." Kelley Blue Book notes that the "GT Deluxe adds...anti-lock brakes" as standard equipment, but the V-6 Mustangs aren't similarly equipped.

Car and Driver is quick to point out that new safety features for Ford Mustang 2008 include "front-seat side airbags," which greatly improve the car's overall safety rating. In terms of another critical safety characteristic, driver visibility, ConsumerGuide writes that on the Ford Mustang 2008 "outward vision is good in coupes, but the convertible top leaves wide over-the-shoulder blind spots" when raised.

Conclusion: The 2008 Ford Mustang scores well in crash tests, but be sure to opt for the anti-lock brakes in order to complete the safety package.

2008 FORD MUSTANG FEATURES | [8 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "Instrument panel features a modern illumination system, color-configurable with 125 different lighting combinations"
ForbesAutos: "Of note is the 1,000-watt Shaker audio system"
Edmunds: "Personalization is available via a number of option packages"

Features abound on the model lineup for the 2008 Ford Mustang, as the car comes in four different trims as well as coupe and convertible models.

The many trims of the 2008 Ford Mustang bring several different standard features. ConsumerGuide writes that the Ford Mustang 2008 Base trim comes standard with "remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, [and] digital-media player connection," while the Premium version gets an "upgraded sound system" and "in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer." Cars.com adds that on the Ford Mustang, 2008 brings the option to hook the CD/MP3 changer up to an optional "1000-watt Shaker 1000 stereo" on the GT. Automobile says that the Bullitt edition adds "unique gauges," and the Shelby GT500 variants offer a standard "interior lighting package" and "Cobra emblem," according to Motor Trend.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com liked the features list of the Mustang 2008, which is a blend of retro options and modern conveniences and luxuries. Kelley Blue Book finds that noteworthy optional features on the Ford Mustang 2008 include "leather seating, navigation, [and] sport bucket seats." Other cool touches include the multicolor interior lighting, a seemingly endless variety of color combinations, and a Shaker 1000 sound system, which ForbesAutos says features "MP3-playback capability."

The convertible version of the 2008 Ford Mustang sports a power folding soft top, which Kelley Blue Book says "folds nearly flush when retracted, giving the car a clean, powerful profile." While the top can be a bit tricky to operate, it is a welcome feature for those nice sunny days that seem tailor-made for cruising with the top down in a Mustang 2008.

Conclusion: The 2008 Ford Mustang brings a variety of trims and standard features to dealerships, and for audiophiles, the Shaker 1000 sound system is a must.