2006 Ford Mustang Review

It might not be a practical choice for everyone, but the Ford Mustang checks all the boxes you expect in a muscle car from the mid-2000s. That means it delivers an impressive power-to-pricing ratio and plenty of retro-themed design cues. Also in the mix: a top-flight audio system for the perfect road trip soundtrack.

The 2006 Ford Mustang is offered in two-door coupe and convertible body styles, both with midsize dimensions. The Mustang cockpit holds four people in either configuration. You then can pick from V6 Standard, V6 Deluxe, V6 Premium, GT Deluxe and GT Premium trim levels. Given those first trim names, a V6 is the obvious standard engine. It’s paired with a five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive in the standard powertrain. A V8 and a five-speed automatic transmission are available.

Ford offers an optional new Pony Package for the 2006 Mustang, complete with anti-lock brakes, traction control, fog lights, lower-door stripes and “galloping pony” fender badges.

Exterior

Ford designers do a good job updating classic Mustang style features for the 2006 model. For example, the newer car shows off the dynamic fastback roofline for the coupe, and that’s set off by distinctive triangle-shaped quarter windows in the rear. With the convertible, that’s replaced by a power-retractable soft top. Both body styles also have a familiar face, thanks to round headlights, a wide rectangle-shaped grille and a hood with a slight overbite.

Power-adjustable mirrors and 16-inch covered steel wheels are standard. Available features include fog lamps, a rear spoiler, lower-door stripes and 16- through 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The convertible is available with either a black or a parchment-colored top.

Interior

For an old-school touch on the inside, the 2006 Mustang features a three-spoke steering wheel like the ones from the late 1960s. You’ll also see prominent gauges for the instrument panel and, across the rest of the dash, distinctive trim panels with bold round climate vents. Matching hoods cover both sides of the dash to boost the car’s athletic appearance. As a practical matter, the Mustang comes standard with 50/50-split folding rear seats. The coupe offers 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space, and the convertible checks in with a cargo capacity of 9.7 cubic feet.

Cloth upholstery, a four-way manually adjustable driver seat, air conditioning, power accessories, keyless entry and a tilt-adjustable steering wheel with integrated cruise controls are standard. Key interior options include leather-trimmed seats, front sport seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, MyColor adjustable instrument-panel lighting and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum spokes. An optional appearance package covers the seats, door panel inserts and floormats in a daring red color.

Performance

The 2006 Ford Mustang base model is a fun-to-drive sports car with a 4.0-liter V6 beneath the hood. That engine makes 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. In the 2006 Ford Mustang GT, the standard engine is a 4.6-liter V8. It delivers 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet, which can get the car from 0 to 60 mph in fewer than 5 seconds. Both engines are combined with a five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, and both count a five-speed automatic as an option.

As another part of the Mustang’s throwback driving experience, it rides on a solid rear axle instead of using an independent rear suspension. You may notice that in how the car handles, since it means both of the Mustang’s rear wheels will be affected even if there’s rough road under just one side.

The EPA ratings for the Mustang start at 17/26 mpg city/highway with the V6 model and a manual transmission. You can see fuel economy grades of 17/23 mpg city/highway with the same engine and the automatic transmission.

Technology

The Mustang’s standard audio system bundles an AM/FM stereo, a CD player and four speakers.

Two Shaker audio systems are available with either 500 watts of power and eight speakers or 1,000 watts of power and 10 speakers. Each setup also includes a six-disc CD changer and an auxiliary input jack.