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2010 Ford Mustang Review

May 18, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

New model is plainly a face lift rather than an all-new design
Car and Driver

Freshly restyled outer shell makes the new Mustang look more compact and taut
Automobile Magazine

Transmission shifter interferes with the low-mounted climate controls
Consumer Guide

If ever there were an American automotive icon, the Ford Mustang would be it. With more than 9 million Ford Mustangs produced, it seems you can't go anywhere without noticing the pony car. With the 2010 Ford Mustang, Ford has given its trademark coupe and convertible a significant visual refresh while still keeping those instantly recognizable classic Mustang lines.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap high praise for the new look of the 2010 Ford Mustang. Car and Driver reports that the 2010 Ford Mustang bears "a closer resemblance to the '69 Stang than the current car" thanks to its "four-light grille...and the kicked-up rear fender lines [that] come straight from the '69 car." Automobile Magazine thinks that the "freshly restyled outer shell makes the new Mustang look more compact and taut than last year's car, but it's actually half an inch longer." The two versions of the 2010 Ford Mustang, base and GT, are distinguished by "a more aggressive front fascia" on the Ford Mustang GT, according to Automobile Magazine. Jalopnik summarizes exterior changes as such: "new mirrors, hidden washer nozzles and a repositioned radio aerial...while integrated indicators, a new hood bulge (used across all models), a new grille and a more creased body combine to great effect, making the Mustang's basic shape much more lithe." Autoblog reviewers love the new looks, reporting that "the even more aggressive nose, curved rear shoulders, more contoured flanks and chamfered rear corners take it to a whole new level" on the 2010 Ford Mustang.

For the latest iteration of the Mustang, Ford also restyled much of the interior, though some reviewers still find fault with a few of the styling elements. Beginning with the criticisms, Consumer Guide mentions that the main gauges "can be partially obscured by the driver's hands on the steering wheel," while other unfortunate aspects of the interior include the fact that "manual shifting is awkward when the cupholders are in use." On the positive side, many reviewers love some of the updates for the 2010 Ford Mustang's interior. Motor Trend claims that "it's still an exercise in contrast," with the "black dash and door surfaces offset by tastefully executed aluminum panels and chromed plastic trim rings." Reviewers are split on the driver-selectable ambient interior lighting—Jalopnik is disappointed that the interior "features Ford's tacky MyColor LED lighting, most notably on the scuff plates on the door sill," but others like the color combinations that are available.

Conclusion

The 2010 Ford Mustang mixes fresh sheetmetal and retro details for one of its better makeovers in recent years.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:New model is plainly a face lift rather than an all-new designCar and DriverFreshly restyled outer shell makes the new Mustang look more compact and tautAutomobile MagazineTransmission shifter interferes with the low-mounted climate controlsConsumer Guide If ever there were an American automotive icon, the Ford Mustang would be it. With more than 9 million Ford Mustangs produced, it seems you can't go anywhere without noticing the pony car. With the 2010 Ford Mustang, Ford has given its trademark coupe and convertible a significant visual refresh while still keeping those instantly recognizable classic Mustang lines. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap high praise for the new look of the 2010 Ford Mustang. Car and Driver reports that the 2010 Ford Mustang bears "a closer resemblance to the '69 Stang than the current car" thanks to its "four-light grille...and the kicked-up rear fender lines [that] come straight from the '69 car." Automobile Magazine thinks that the "freshly restyled outer shell makes the new Mustang look more compact and taut than last year's car, but it's actually half an inch longer." The two versions of the 2010 Ford Mustang, base and GT, are distinguished by "a more aggressive front fascia" on the Ford Mustang GT, according to Automobile Magazine. Jalopnik summarizes exterior changes as such: "new mirrors, hidden washer nozzles and a repositioned radio aerial...while integrated indicators, a new hood bulge (used across all models), a new grille and a more creased body combine to great effect, making the Mustang's basic shape much more lithe." Autoblog reviewers love the new looks, reporting that "the even more aggressive nose, curved rear shoulders, more contoured flanks and chamfered rear corners take it to a whole new level" on the 2010 Ford Mustang. For the latest iteration of the Mustang, Ford also restyled much of the interior, though some reviewers still find fault with a few of the styling elements. Beginning with the criticisms, Consumer Guide mentions that the main gauges "can be partially obscured by the driver's hands on the steering wheel," while other unfortunate aspects of the interior include the fact that "manual shifting is awkward when the cupholders are in use." On the positive side, many reviewers love some of the updates for the 2010 Ford Mustang's interior. Motor Trend claims that "it's still an exercise in contrast," with the "black dash and door surfaces offset by tastefully executed aluminum panels and chromed plastic trim rings." Reviewers are split on the driver-selectable ambient interior lighting—Jalopnik is disappointed that the interior "features Ford's tacky MyColor LED lighting, most notably on the scuff plates on the door sill," but others like the color combinations that are available. ConclusionThe 2010 Ford Mustang mixes fresh sheetmetal and retro details for one of its better makeovers in recent years. 2010 FORD MUSTANG STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: "New model is plainly a face lift rather than an all-new design" Automobile Magazine: "Freshly restyled outer shell makes the new Mustang look more compact and taut" Consumer Guide: "Transmission shifter interferes with the ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Dodge Challenger is a plus-sized pony car when compared to the Mustang. The Dodge's interior is larger, and its base V-8 offers more horsepower than the Mustang's only V-8. However, because the Mustang is smaller and lighter, the performance difference isn't as lopsided as one might expect; plus, the Mustang is less expensive. At the time this Bottom Line was produced, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro hadn't yet gone on sale. The V-6 Camaro will be thousands of dollars more expensive than the base Mustang and may compete performance-wise with the Mustang GT. The interior of the new Camaro is also larger than the Mustang's, but not as large as the Dodge Challenger's. While not a direct competitor, the rear-wheel-drive Nissan 370Z (all-new for 2009) begins at just under $30,000. At this price point, it's a competitor with the American pony cars. Of course, the Nissan is a more focused sportscar, and accordingly, it gives up the practicality provided by small rear seats and a proper trunk. The Mustang is currently available as a coupe or convertible, which won't be offered by Dodge and is still in the future for the Camaro and 370Z. Additionally, the Mustang's optional glass roof, SYNC, and Sirius Travel Link further separate the Ford from these competitors.

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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

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Kevin #1, Posted: 7/9/2009

    That picture of the "2010 Ford Mustang" sure hell looks a lot like a Challenger. -_-

  2. By alex #2, Posted: 7/10/2009

    thats not a mustang ... thats a challenger!!!!

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