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2008 Ford Mustang Safety Review

June 14, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

Acceptable, frontal offset collision; Good, side-impact collision
IIHS

Neither stability control nor full-length head curtain airbags are available
Edmunds

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.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAAcceptable, frontal offset collision; Good, side-impact collisionIIHSNeither stability control nor full-length head curtain airbags are availableEdmunds 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. ConclusionThe 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 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 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Honestly, since 2002 when the last Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird rolled off the assembly line, the Ford Mustang hasn't had a direct competitor. While some might compare it to front-wheel-drive coupes like the Scion tC or Pontiac G6, those are apples to oranges. With the introduction of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, finally, the Mustang has a rear-wheel-drive pony car competitor, even if the Dodge only competes with the expensive Shelby GT500 and GT500KR models--for now. Next year (2009), Mustang will face off against a full line of Dodge Challenger models (V-6 and V-8 models), as well as the 2010 Camaro. Get ready to rumble!

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See the Ford Mustang in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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