An even burlier V8 provides robust thrills with a bombastic soundtrack. Some automatic transmission glitches and cheap interior materials annoy but don’t stop the fun.
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You could argue that no car had a bigger year than the venerable Ford Mustang. Most notably, Ford redesigned the Mustang — inspired by Darth Vader, no less — with new front and rear ends, new tech, new engines and more power than before.
The two-door, rear-wheel-drive 2019 Ford Mustang is available as a fastback or convertible. The hardtop version is available in five trim levels: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and the limited-edition Bullitt. The convertible brings the same regular trim options except for the base GT. For 2019 Ford is also offering a new California Special appearance package.
Perhaps the biggest change for the current generation, revealed in 2015, is the advent of the EcoBoost version with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine — more on that later. It also offers a 5.0-liter V8, with both available in either six-speed manual or 10-speed (added for 2018 model year) SelectShift automatic transmissions.
With this Autoblog buyer's guide, we aim to help you make an educated decision about whether to buy the 2019 Ford Mustang. We'll summarize safety and reliability ratings, engine specs and horsepower, fuel economy ratings and pricing. We'll also touch on what Autoblog's professional reviewers think of the Mustang.
How safe is the 2019 Ford Mustang?
The 2019 Mustang aces the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's crash tests, earning the top rating of five stars across the board — frontal-crash, side-crash, rollover-crash and overall rating.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued ratings for the 2018 Mustang, which is basically the same car. IIHS awarded Good ratings for most crash tests, including moderate overlap front, side and roof strength. It deemed the 2018 model Acceptable for driver-side small overlap front crash protection but did not rate it for passenger-side small overlap front crashes. It gave a Marginal rating for ease of use of the rear LATCH child-seat anchors, but come on; no one is buying this car for the express purpose of transporting an infant or toddler.
We encourage you to visit the NHTSA and IIHS websites to review ratings on the specific vehicle you're researching.
How reliable is the 2019 Ford Mustang?
J.D. Power gives the 2018 Mustang its highest Initial Quality award and an overall score of 83 out of 100, considered better than most.
As we note in all buyers guides, Autoblog has raised concerns about how J.D. Power weighs serious and less-serious reliability issues. You can read more about that here.
According to NHTSA, there were three small recalls of the 2018 model, though one centered on aftermarket supercharger engine kits made by Roush Performance Products.
The largest recall centered on 2,100 Mustangs equipped with the 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster for an electronics issue that leaves the vehicle susceptible to rolling away while parked. In another, a roll pin may not have been installed in the automatic transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function when the vehicle is stopped. Ford offered to make the fixes free of charge in both cases.
How much interior and cargo room does the 2019 Ford Mustang offer?
While few people buy a Mustang for its interior space or to haul stuff, the pony car offers 37.6 inches of front headroom and 34.8 inches in the backseats (or 35.7 inches in convertible versions). The respective legroom figures are 45.1 inches and 29 inches (29.2 in the convertible), meaning space is tight in back.
Cargo volume is 13.5 cubic feet, or 11.4 cubic feet in the convertible.
What are the 2019 Ford Mustang's engine specs and horsepower?
EcoBoost versions are fitted with a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine that produces 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
The more performance-oriented 5.0-liter V8 makes 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Bullitt Mustang makes 480 hp thanks to some additional performance parts, but torque is unchanged.
How fuel efficient is the 2019 Ford Mustang?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2019 Mustang EcoBoost at 21 miles per gallon in the city, 32 on the highway and a combined 25 mpg. Manual transmission versions are rated 21/31/25.
Mustang GT models are rated 16/25/19 for the automatic transmission, and 15/25/18 when equipped with a six-speed stick shift.
How much does the 2019 Ford Mustang cost?
The 2019 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback starts at $27,115, including the destination fee, while the GT Premium version climbs from $40,350.
The convertible version starts at $32,615 for the EcoBoost, with the GT Premium Convertible starting at $45,850 before options.
Fancy a 2019 Mustang Bullitt? Those start at $47,590.
Use Autoblog's Smart Car Buying program powered by TrueCar to search out competitive local pricing and savings on the 2018 Ford Explorer.
What does Autoblog think of the 2019 Ford Mustang?
In his first-drive review of the 2018 Mustang, Autoblog senior editor Alex Kierstein praised the car's digital display cluster, throaty exhaust and six-speed manual. But he had a few quibbles with the new 10-speed automatic in the EcoBoost version, saying "it felt slow and confused."
"The bottom line is that Ford took the best parts of the previous Mustang and enhanced them," he writes. "That's a conservative play, but a savvy one."
You can also read Autoblog's long-term review of a well-equipped loaner 2018 Mustang from Ford.
And if you're interested in the EcoBoost version, we've got a Quick Spin review of that one, too. Reviewer James Riswick also found faults with the diminished power of the four-cylinder in such an iconic pony car, though found that the MagneRide suspension option available with either engine delivers superior handling and a more comfortable ride. "(It) creates a great GT car, capable of quickly, comfortably, and stylishly ushering you from A to B while still providing enough zing to get your blood pumping."
Autoblog accepts vehicle loans from auto manufacturers with a tank of gas and sometimes insurance for the purpose of evaluation and editorial content. Like most of the auto news industry, we also sometimes accept travel, lodging and event access for vehicle drive and news coverage opportunities. Our opinions and criticism remain our own — we do not accept sponsored editorial.
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