The 1996 Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that captures the muscle car era perfectly, and it's been this way since its introduction. Still sporting most of the revisions for 1994, this year's model provide additional power options and slightly tweaked design. Revisions help it avoid tune-ups while keeping impressive overall safety.
The Range
Body Styles: coupe, convertible
Engines: 3.8-liter V-6, 4.6-liter V-8
Transmissions: four-speed automatic, five-speed manual
Models: Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang GT
What's New
The 1996 Ford Mustang receives revised suspension and steering for additional handling power. The large 4.6-liter V-8 engine is now available. Interior and exterior receive design tweaks, but no major changes were made. The GTS trim was also discontinued and is no longer available.
Exterior
The 1996 Ford Mustang comes in 10 color options. Standard features include 15-inch wheels in the base model and 16-inch alloy wheels for the GT model. Alloy wheels are optional for the base model, while tinted glass and power exterior mirrors are also standard in both models. Options can include keyless entry, anti-theft alarm system, and a rear spoiler.
Interior
The 1996 Ford Mustang comes standard with AM/FM stereo system, but this can be replaced with an AM/FM/Cassette or AM/FM/CD stereo system. Both the base and the GT trims come with cloth seating, and leather seating is optional. Other interior options include sport seats, air-conditioning, cruise control, and power windows and locks. The GT can also have a premium stereo system and power driver's seat installed.
Performance & Handling
The 1996 Ford Mustang handles extremely well; with a base 3.8-liter V-6 engine, the optional engines seem almost necessary. All engines provide plenty of get-up-and-go, making acceleration and driving through traffic as easy as possible. The largest engine available is the 4.6-liter V-8, which offers a huge increase in power with a huge increase in price. Revised suspension and steering make the ride smoother, and a four-speed automatic transmission is available but dramatically saps power from the engine.
Safety
The 1996 Ford Mustang come standard with driver and passenger front airbags, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes are optional for both the base and the GT trim. Other safety options include fog lights and an anti-theft alarm system. During tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it receives four out of five stars for both the driver and passenger front crash tests. As long as the power isn't abused in these quick cars, the overall safety is great.
EPA Fuel Economy
Ford Mustang: 16/24 mpg city/highway
You'll Like
- Styling
- Powerful engine choices
You Won't Like
- Gas mileage
- Expensive options
- Pricing
Sum Up
An American muscle classic.
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