2014 Ford Mustang Convertible

PREVIEW

Sales often dip in the model year preceding a vehicle's major overhaul as everyone waits for something newer and better. However, these swansong models are also often the best equipped and fully sorted. Such is the case of the 2014 Ford Mustang. A redesigned Mustang is expected next year, but this year's car is still highly desirable.

Even base model Mustangs provide plenty of muscle-car thrills. Here you'll find a 3.7-liter V6 engine that churns out an impressive 305 horsepower and earns a laudable 31 mpg on the EPA highway cycle. The Mustang GT brings even more tire-smoking power into the mix with its 420-hp 5.0-liter V8. Plus, for just about any Mustang model, Ford offers an impressive array of options, including suspension and brake upgrades, available Recaro sport seats and the useful Sync voice-activation system.

However, the Mustang isn't flawless. The interior still has its share of cheap plastic trim, while the lack of a telescoping steering wheel results in a compromised driving position for some people. Nor is the Mustang your only choice, of course. The Chevrolet Camaro keeps getting better and has a slight performance edge over the Mustang. Then there's the Dodge Challenger, which is roomier and potentially more appealing if a retro muscle car experience is what you're after. The more nimble Hyundai Genesis Coupe is also worth a look. But among this talented group, the 2014 Ford Mustang is still our favorite, as it offers tons of entertainment value for a reasonable price.

FEATURES

The 2014 Ford Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible, offered in four trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT and GT Premium. The Shelby GT500 is reviewed separately and the Boss 302 is no longer available.

Base V6 models start with 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless entry, integrated blind-spot mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

Stepping up to the V6 Premium adds upgraded 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, Bluetooth, Ford's Sync voice activation system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, color-adjustable gauges and ambient lighting, a color information display between the gauges, upgraded interior trim and a premium eight-speaker sound system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB audio interface.

The V8-powered GT comes with the base V6's features plus 18-inch alloys, automatic headlights, a rear spoiler and foglamps. The GT Premium is essentially a GT with different 18-inch wheels and the V6 Premium's roster of features.

Options on the Mustang V6 coupe include a new exterior appearance package that adds black-painted mirror caps and deck lid spoiler, and body color-painted quarter-window louvers. Also available for coupes is a V6 Performance package that includes 19-inch wheels with summer tires, numerous suspension and brake upgrades, a recalibrated stability control system and a 3.31 rear axle ratio. The V6 Premium can also be had with the Pony package and the Mustang Club of America Special Edition packages. Both consist of 18-inch wheels, foglamps, auto headlamps and various unique exterior styling enhancements.

The V8-powered Mustang GT can be outfitted with upgraded Brembo brakes and two performance axles (3.55:1 or 3.73:1) for quicker acceleration. A GT Track package is also available for coupes with manual transmissions and bundles the Brembo brakes with a Torsen limited-slip differential, the 3.73:1 gearing and extra radiator and engine oil cooling. The GT Premium may be ordered with all of the options of the V6 Premium and GT packages, plus a selection from an array of 18- and 19-inch wheels, the California Special package (more exterior styling variations) and a more powerful Shaker Pro sound system.

Other optional packages include the Comfort Group package (heated mirrors, a power passenger seat and heated front seats); a Tech package for base V6 and V8 models (foglamps, Sync, a power driver seat and an auto-dimming mirror); and the Electronics package for V6 Premium and above (dual-zone automatic climate control, HD radio and a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic and other information). Also available on specific models are remote start (requires automatic transmission), rear parking sensors, a glass roof, faux side scoops, a tonneau cover for convertible models and sporty Recaro front seats.

INTERIOR

The 2014 Ford Mustang's interior can be appointed with all of the modern conveniences we've come to expect, while also paying homage to its rich history. Sync's voice activation features greatly simplify operation of audio, phone and navigation systems. The buttons themselves don't have a particularly solid feel, though, and a large percentage of the door panels and center console is taken up by hard plastic.

One feature the Mustang lacks is a telescoping steering wheel, though thankfully most drivers should be able to find a comfortable seating position. Both coupe and convertible body styles can accommodate four adults, but rear passengers will be cramped, so if you regularly carry around more than two people, the other pony cars are a better bet. The coupe's trunk can hold a decent 12.3 cubic feet, while the convertible's space drops to 9.7 cubes. Standard split-folding rear seats on the coupe expand cargo capacity.

UNDER THE HOOD

With the 3.7-liter V6, the 2014 Ford Mustang produces 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang GT steps up to a 5.0-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both have a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional.

Fuel economy for the Mustang V6 coupe is an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 23 mpg in combined driving with the automatic transmission, while the manual is estimated at 19/29/22. The GT has an 18/25/20 rating with the automatic and 15/26/19 with the manual. Opting for more aggressive rear differential gear ratios will reduce fuel economy.

In Autoexpress testing, a V6 Mustang loaded with the Performance package and 3.31 rear axle gear ratio accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. A regular V6 with the automatic did it in 6.8 seconds, which is still pretty quick. We've also tested the V8 with the manual, and it recorded an impressive sprint to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

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2014 Ford Mustang Convertible

PREVIEW

There's a distant drumbeat being heard among the Ford Mustang faithful. Its cadence grows louder and more impatient with every passing day. We expect it to reach fever pitch when the 50th-anniversary Mustang is unveiled next year. With this in mind, you would expect few changes to the 2013 Ford Mustang, understandably assuming that Ford's resources would be focused on the all-important next generation. But you'd be mistaken.

The 2013 Mustang receives a fair number of upgrades and additions. On the outside, the Mustang gains standard xenon headlights with LED accents, a new Shelby-inspired grille, restyled front and rear fascias, functional hood vents, painted rocker panels and updated taillights. Inside the cabin, there's a new performance information display in the gauge cluster and available Recaro seats (previously limited to the Boss 302 and GT500).

Topping the mechanical changes is an updated automatic transmission that now has manual shift control. However, while it's nice that you can now select your own gearing in the automatic-equipped Mustang, its shifter-mounted toggle button would be unintuitive in a family SUV, let alone a sport coupe. A Mustang should have paddle shifters. Luckily, this year also brings an 8-horsepower boost for the GT's V8 engine, hill-start assist for cars equipped with manual transmissions and additional performance hardware for the GT's optional Track package.

These changes certainly enhance what was already a very impressive sport coupe and convertible. The entry-level Mustang's V6 engine churns out an impressive 305 hp and earns a laudable 31 mpg on the EPA highway cycle. The V8-powered GT and Boss 302 bring even more power into the mix. For just about any Mustang model, Ford offers an impressive array of options, including suspension and brake upgrades and the innovative Sync voice-activation system.

However, the Mustang isn't flawless. The interior still has its share of cheap plastic trim, while the lack of a telescoping steering wheel means a compromised driving position for some. Nor is it the only choice, of course. The Dodge Challenger is roomier and appealing in a retro muscle car sort of way, while the Chevrolet Camaro still holds the edge for dramatic styling. The more nimble Hyundai's Genesis Coupe is also worth a look. But among this talented group, the 2013 Ford Mustang is still our favorite. At least until the 50th-anniversary edition arrives, anyway.

FEATURES

The 2013 Ford Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible and is offered in five trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT, GT Premium and Boss 302. (The Shelby GT500 is reviewed separately.)

Base V6 models start with 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless entry, integrated blind-spot mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

Stepping up to the V6 Premium adds upgraded 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, Ford's Sync electronics, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, color-adjustable gauges and ambient lighting, a color information display between the gauges, upgraded interior trim and a premium eight-speaker Shaker sound system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB audio interface. The V8-powered GT comes with the base V6's features plus 18-inch alloys, automatic headlights, a rear spoiler and foglamps. The GT Premium is essentially a GT with different 18-inch wheels and the V6 Premium's roster of features.

Options on Mustang V6 models include an exterior appearance package that adds bodywork graphics and a rear spoiler. Also available for coupes is a V6 Performance package that includes 19-inch wheels with summer tires, numerous suspension and brake upgrades, a recalibrated stability control system and a 3.31 rear axle ratio. The V6 Premium can also be had with the Pony package and the Mustang Club of America Special Edition package (both consist of 18-inch wheels and various exterior styling enhancements).

The Mustang GT can be outfitted with upgraded Brembo brakes and two performance axles (3.55:1 or 3.73:1) for quicker acceleration. A GT Track package is also available for coupes with manual transmissions and adds Brembo brakes, a Torsen limited-slip differential with the 3.73:1 rear end, and the radiator and engine oil cooler from the Boss 302. The GT Premium can be had with all the options of the V6 Premium and GT packages, plus a selection from an array of 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, the California Special package (more exterior styling variations) and a more powerful Shaker Pro sound system.

Other optional packages include the Comfort Group package (heated mirrors, a power passenger seat and heated front seats); a Tech package for base V6 and V8 models (foglamps, Sync, a power driver seat and an auto-dimming mirror); and the Electronics package (dual-zone automatic climate control, HD radio and a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic and other information). Also available are rear parking sensors, a glass roof, a tonneau cover for convertible models, a rearview camera and Recaro sport front seats.

The high-performance Boss 302 is only available as a coupe and adds a more powerful V8 engine, 19-inch wheels, additional side-exit exhaust tips, special exterior trim and aerodynamic elements, a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, Brembo brakes, adjustable shock absorbers, unique interior trim, a suede-wrapped steering wheel, cloth seats and the base audio system with Sync. Recaro front seats (from the GT500) and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential are optional.

Limited-edition Boss 302 Laguna Seca models go even further with track-ready aerodynamic enhancements, race-compound tires, a stiffer suspension, unique gauges and standardization of the Recaro seats and Torsen differential, plus the deletion of the rear seat.

INTERIOR

The Mustang's interior can be appointed with all of the modern conveniences we've come to expect, while also paying homage to its rich history. Sync's voice-activation features greatly simplify operation of audio, phone and navigation systems. The buttons themselves don't have a particularly solid feel, though, and a large percentage of the door panels and center console is taken up by hard plastic.

One thing the Mustang lacks is a telescoping steering wheel, though thankfully most drivers should be able to find a comfortable seating position. Both coupe and convertible body styles can accommodate four adults, but rear passengers will be cramped, so if you regularly carry around more than two people, the Challenger is a better bet. The coupe's trunk can hold a decent 12.3 cubic feet, while the convertible's space drops to 9.7 cubes.

Boss 302 variants get the added bonus of Ford's new TracKey technology. Owners receive a standard black key as well as a red key. The red key is intended for use on racetracks only, as it increases low-end engine torque, sharpens throttle response, increases off-throttle deceleration and unlocks launch control. Also intended for track use only is Track Apps, a new suite of displays that show acceleration, braking and g-force performance. But this feature isn't limited to just the Boss, as it also comes standard on Premium trims.

UNDER THE HOOD

With the 3.7-liter V6, the 2013 Ford Mustang produces 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang GT steps up to a 5.0-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both have a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional. As if this isn't enough, the Boss 302's 5.0-liter V8 ups power output to 444 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. (An automatic transmission is not available for the Boss 302, however.)

Fuel economy for the Mustang V6 coupe is an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 23 mpg in combined driving with the automatic transmission, while the manual is estimated at 19/29/22 mpg. The GT has an 18/25/20 mpg rating with the automatic and 15/26/19 mpg with the manual. Opting for more aggressive rear differential gear ratios will further drop fuel economy.

In Autoexpress testing, a V6 Mustang loaded with the Performance package and 3.31 gear ratio accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. A regular V6 with the automatic did it in 6.8 seconds, which is still pretty quick. Of course, the V8-powered Boss 302 managed the same run in only 4.8 seconds, while a 2013 GT with the 3.73 ratio sprinted to 60 in 4.7 seconds.

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