If you’re looking for one of the fifth or sixth-generation models of the Ford Mustang, you’ll want to understand what each version brings.
The Mustang is one of the most iconic muscle cars to ever hit the road. Sure, you can reach back to the 1960s for some classic models, drive some of the hated 1970s models, or enjoy the Fox Body of the 1980s, but what if you want one of the latest versions? The last two generations give you modern qualities and impressive features to make your drive right. Let’s take a look.
Should You Expect a Lot of Miles on a Mustang?
Different versions of this amazing car are likely driven in different ways. The base models are more likely to be driven as daily drivers than those that have high-powered engines. This should be a consideration when you’re looking at this car. The number of miles expected will likely be associated with the trim level and cost of the car. This is one of the most common muscle cars in the market, which means you should easily find the right car to drive and enjoy on any road.
Does the Fifth-Generation Mustang Deliver the Desired Comfort?
The fifth generation of the Ford Mustang lasted from 2005-2014. For the 2011 model year, this car received some improvements that gave the car a much better driving quality than the earlier models of this generation. Most of these models don’t offer the ride quality you’ll find in some modern versions. When the 2011 model came around, Ford gave the convertible model better body rigidity to make the drive better. If you’re looking for the most comfortable Mustang, you’ll want a late-model version of this generation, or you might want to look at the sixth-generation version.
The Sixth-Generation Mustang Brings More Modern Qualities to the Drive
The Mustangs from 2015-2020 are part of the sixth generation of this car. These models carry the retro style and add sleeker lines and the first independent rear suspension offered in this amazing car. This new car has an optional 10-speed automatic transmission, the turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, and electronics that are much more useful than the previous versions of this Ford sports car. You’ll find coupe and convertible versions to give you the ride, and the quality desired when you take this muscle car home.
When do You Get the GT Name of the Mustang?
If consistency is important, the Ford Mustang is one of the most consistent cars in the history of the American automotive industry. Anytime you see the GT name on a Mustang, you know that car has a strong V8 engine under the hood. Most of the time, this engine is the venerable 5.0-liter Coyote V8 that delivers various power levels. This engine has evolved over time, with the addition of electronic tuning and ways to pull more power from this power plant. The GT Mustang is a symbol of consistency in an ever-changing world.
What Powertrains Will You Find in the Fifth-Generation Models?
The Mustang models from 2005-2014 carried the traditional engines to the market to give us the raw power and performance expected out of these cars. All versions from this generation have either a V6 or V8 setup to give you the power and drive desired.
The V6 engines offered from this generation are:
- 4.0-liter V6 making 210 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque offered from 2005-2010
- 3.7-liter V6 engine offering 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque for models from 2011-2014
The V8 engines from this generation were:
- 4.7-liter V8 offering 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque from 2005-2009
- 4.7-liter V8 upgraded to 315 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque for 2010 models
- 5.0-liter V8 engine providing 412 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque for 2011-2012 models
- 5.0-liter V8 engine tuned to 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque for 2013 and 2014 versions
The 2005-2010 models of the Ford Mustang came with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, while the 2011-2014 models gave you either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission to provide the desired shifting during your drive.
What Powertrains Will You Find in the Sixth-Generation Models?
Heading into the sixth-generation of the Ford Mustang, a four-cylinder engine was added to the mix. During this generation, we also see better transmissions offered to give this car a more dynamic driving approach, regardless of the engine.
The new four-cylinder engine from this generation is:
- 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offering 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque from 2015-2017
- 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine tuned to 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque for models from 2018-2020
The V6 engine was only offered for a few years, and it was:
- 3.7-liter V6 engine delivering 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque from 2015-2017
Moving to the V8 engine offered, we see:
- 5.0-liter V8 engine providing 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque from 2015-2017
- 5.0-liter V8 engine tuned to 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque for models from 2018 through 2020
From 2015-2017 the transmissions were the same as the final models from the fifth generation. Once the 2018 Ford Mustang arrived, a 10-speed automatic transmission was added to the mix.
The Mustang Delivers a Straightforward Cabin
Both of these latter generations of the Ford Mustang have a three-spoke steering wheel, sporty finishes in the cabin along with some impressive qualities and features for the infotainment system. Of course, the later the model year you select, the more modern the technology will be. Of course, this also means you’ll pay more for the car and will likely have a lower mileage total on the odometer. If you’re looking for the most comfortable Mustang to drive, the sixth-generation models provide this for you. These models featured a telescoping and tilting steering wheel that fits where you want, while the fifth-generation models only have a tilt wheel.
Which of these two Ford Mustang generations is the right one for you? Will you pick one of the trims with the powertrains covered here, or look for a specialized version of this Ford muscle car?
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