Does the Mercedes R-Class Have a Porpoise, Oops...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Ford Mustang Quality Review

February 23, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Rear-seat room is marginal
Cars.com

Seating is comfortable and the new car's added exterior dimensions allow for a noticeable increase in headroom and legroom.
Kelley Blue Book

Most switchgear feels cut-rate
ConsumerGuide

Despite continuous improvement, the 2009 Ford Mustang is still a brawling muscle car that suffers from some predictable flaws.

For the Mustang, 2009 models offer interior space that is decent and comfort. ConsumerGuide finds "good headroom and legroom, but the cabin feels cozy due to low seats, a high dashtop, and tall windowsills." Autoblog appreciates the front seats' "power fore-aft and bottom cushion angle adjustment along with inflatable lumbar support" that help improve driver comfort and "keeps you planted in the appropriate position relative to the steering wheel." Cars.com adds that the Ford Mustang "has two front seats and two rear buckets that might qualify as seats but are not for most adult passengers."

As is the case with most pony and muscle cars, cargo room isn't by any means ample in the 2009 Ford Mustang, and the Mustang 2009 has one or two other flaws. Several reviews read by TheCarConnection.com critique the poor placement of the two cup holders, with Autoblog saying that tall items "can interfere with your forearm when shifting." Regarding storage space, ConsumerGuide reports 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 2009 Ford Mustang are lacking, if not in styling, then certainly in quality. ConsumerGuide thinks that "most switchgear feels cut-rate, and padded surfaces are almost non-existent." 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 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 2009 Ford Mustang, reviewers determine that road noise is uncharacteristically minimal with the top down, and when the top comes up, extra shakes are not intrusive. ConsumerGuide is quick to criticize the Ford Mustang 2009's sound characteristics, finding "marked engine noise and coarse-surface tire thrum," and the "V6 growls and booms unpleasantly as revs rise."

Conclusion

The 2009 Ford Mustang shows its muscle-car roots in less flattering ways when it comes to room, comfort, and materials.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Rear-seat room is marginalCars.comSeating is comfortable and the new car's added exterior dimensions allow for a noticeable increase in headroom and legroom.Kelley Blue BookMost switchgear feels cut-rateConsumerGuide Despite continuous improvement, the 2009 Ford Mustang is still a brawling muscle car that suffers from some predictable flaws. For the Mustang, 2009 models offer interior space that is decent and comfort. ConsumerGuide finds "good headroom and legroom, but the cabin feels cozy due to low seats, a high dashtop, and tall windowsills." Autoblog appreciates the front seats' "power fore-aft and bottom cushion angle adjustment along with inflatable lumbar support" that help improve driver comfort and "keeps you planted in the appropriate position relative to the steering wheel." Cars.com adds that the Ford Mustang "has two front seats and two rear buckets that might qualify as seats but are not for most adult passengers." As is the case with most pony and muscle cars, cargo room isn't by any means ample in the 2009 Ford Mustang, and the Mustang 2009 has one or two other flaws. Several reviews read by TheCarConnection.com critique the poor placement of the two cup holders, with Autoblog saying that tall items "can interfere with your forearm when shifting." Regarding storage space, ConsumerGuide reports 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 2009 Ford Mustang are lacking, if not in styling, then certainly in quality. ConsumerGuide thinks that "most switchgear feels cut-rate, and padded surfaces are almost non-existent." 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 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 2009 Ford Mustang, reviewers determine that road noise is uncharacteristically minimal with the top down, and when the top comes up, extra shakes are not intrusive. ConsumerGuide is quick to criticize the Ford Mustang 2009's sound characteristics, finding "marked engine noise and coarse-surface tire thrum," and the "V6 growls and booms unpleasantly as revs rise." ConclusionThe 2009 Ford Mustang shows its muscle-car roots in less flattering ways when it comes to room, comfort, and materials. 2009 FORD MUSTANG STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "Eye-catching retro styling" Autoblog: "Carries the classic proportions and cues of the late sixties 'Stangs" Car and Driver: “All Mustangs might be retro retreads due to their throwback styling, but these retro retreads will never look ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Since 2002 when the last of the Chevrolet Camaros and Pontiac Firebirds rolled off the assembly line, the Ford Mustang has had no pony/muscle car foes to compete against. Some may be tempted to compare the Mustang to front-wheel-drive coupes like the Pontiac G6 or the Scion tC, but those are apples-to-oranges comparisons. With the introduction of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, finally, the Mustang has a rear-wheel-drive foe to battle, even if the Dodge only competes with the expensive Shelby GT500 and GT500KR models—for now. This year (2009), Mustang will compete against a full lineup of Dodge Challenger models (with V-6 and V-8 powerplants), as well as the 2010 Camaro. The ‘60s are back with a vengeance, and as an added benefit, these muscle machines can take on the twisties as well as they devour pavement in a straight line. Giddyup!

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Ford Mustang from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Ford Mustang

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Ford Mustang

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Ford Mustang near you

See the Ford Mustang in Other Years:

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

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Neil Ramsay #1, Posted: 2/11/2009

    Beware of '09 Mustang GT

    I had mine for 2 months. I didn't drive it for 2 days and the battery died. The dealer service dept. told me that it has many "modules" and is an "intelligent" car And that it has to be started and day. I wrote Ford customer service and they concur with this. This is ABSURD!!! I had to get a jump start from my cleaning lady's 18 year old "dumb" car. If I were to go on a trip, leave my car at the airport and get back 3 or 4 days later, my battery will be dead. Also confirmed by Ford customer service. No wonder the American auto industry is in trouble.

  2. By Vince Pete #2, Posted: 5/22/2009

    Beware of crazy commenter.

    That has to be the dumbest comment I've ever read. Seriously now, does anyone think they would build a car that runs its own battery down in two days? I would never believe this story unless I had the specifics. What dealer did you buy this car from? What Ford customer service person told you this was normal? Now on the other hand, if you left your lights on, yeah, I could believe it.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy