I’ve thrown the word iconic around a little in a couple of my recent reviews (see Corvette and Wrangler reviews). I don’t want to overuse the word, but my tester this week is certainly an American automotive icon.
The 2013 Ford Mustang brings with it a certain reputation ­— a swagger, so to speak — and it has the classic muscle car looks to back up that swagger. The fact that my tester, the V6 Coupe Premium, came in Racing Red adds to its bravado.
The 2013 version brings a few updates to its exterior appearance. No worries, enthusiasts, the Stang still keeps its classic looks, but a slightly updated grille, new headlamps and the addition of LED lights just refresh the look. A glass panoramic roof follows a new trend in car design.
And even though my tester was the much tamer V6, instead of the bold GT with the V8, the Mustang still has enough ponies to thoroughly enjoy your ride.
A 3.7-liter engine generates 305 horsepower and still emits a subtle growl on startup and heavy acceleration. The 6-speed automatic transmission is well tuned and throws shifts around with ease, with no kickback.
I was impressed with the smooth ride the Mustang offered as well as how well it handled the road. The rear-wheel drive held tight in turns and the 3.31 ratio limited slip axle helped keep the wheels from getting loose. MacPherson strut front suspension helped cushion the road.
Inside, leather trim sport seats have a racing-style look. The seats are snug, but comfortable. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good and the steering is firm and precise.
Ambient lighting and metallic trim accent the interior and add to the aesthetics. Ford’s Sync system is available, however, their MyTouch system is not included in the Mustang. One of the coolest features I’ve seen on any car is the pony projection light, which beams the Mustang emblem on the ground next to the doors. The light beams down from under the side mirrors, almost like a big, bright hologram. It caught the eye of many in a dark parking light one night proving that while it’s merely an aesthetic addition, it ups the Mustang’s cool factor.
As is the common thread, fuel economy has been improved on this model, with an EPA rating of 19 city and 31 highway. That’s a big difference in MPG, and I found even on the highway, it fell closer to the city end. In a week’s worth of heavy-footed driving, I averaged about 23 MPG.
The V6 coupe starts at $22,000 while the V6 convertible starts at $27,000. My tester, the Coupe Premium, came in with a base price of $26,200 and with several added options and upgrades, the final sticker price was $32,730.
The Ford Mustang is indeed an iconic automobile. It always had cache, and sex appeal. With the changes and updates, Ford upped the ante on this legendary car, and the Mustang definitely ponied up.
Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115. Follow him on Twitter @wheelseditor