MPG-o-Matic Ford Mustang V6 Review Summary:
When equipped with the standard 4.0-liter V6 engine, the 2010 Ford Mustang delivers a winning combination of style, handling, driveability, and in-cabin technology along with reasonable fuel economy. If you want a brand new factory convertible, the 2010 Mustang is the sole choice among the Detroit Three’s retro pony cars.
The 2010 Mustang V6 is fitted with a 4.0-liter SOHC engine that can be mated to either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Mustang’s V6 produces 210 horsepower (HP) and 240 foot pounds of torque. Although the Mustang V6 gives up a bunch of HP to both the Camaro and Challenger V6s, Ford’s pony car is significantly lighter than the competition.
The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the 2010 Ford Mustang V6 are 18 city / 26 highway miles per gallon (MPG) with the manual transmission and 16 city / 24 highway with the automatic.
When driven conscientiously, the V6 Mustang can easily exceed its fuel economy ratings. We put over six hundred and fifty hundred miles on the odometer of our automatic-equipped Sterling Gray review unit and slipped past the official mileage estimates with an average of 27.9 MPG on the Interstate highway and 21.3 MPG combined.
Overall test period temperatures ranged from the fifties through the seventies, with Interstate highway testing temperatures in the sixty degree range.
The 2010 Mustang V6 rolls in at approximately 4,300 3,400 pounds with the manual transmission (tack on another fifty pounds or so for the automatic). The Camaro is more than 400 300 pounds heavier, while the Challenger weighs in at the heaviest of the bunch at over 3800 pounds. While the Mustang’s 4.0-liter V6 delivers adequate punch on the roll, off the line performance falls behind the Camaro’s 300 HP direct-injected V6.
In the battle between Chevy, Dodge, and Ford, the Mustang V6’s weight advantage allows its less powerful engine to deliver middle-of-the-pack acceleration.
Fuel economy displays include both average mile per gallon and real-time fuel-efficiency. We always recommend light-footed driving and the use of a real-time fuel economy display as a means to improve gas mileage.
The Mustang’s 16.0 gallon gas tank provides a good amount of highway range. The 4.0-liter engine is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel. The Easy Fuel capless fuel-filler system ensures that you’ll never leave a gas cap behind at the service station.
Top up or down, this one’s a joy to drive.
Out in the twisties, the V6 Mustang out-handles the competition. Never mind that it’s still sporting a coil spring 3-link solid-axle rear suspension setup. A 33.4 foot curb-to-curb turning circle bests the competition. Four-wheel anti-lock power disc brakes are standard.
Our V6 Convertible Premium review unit was equipped with the V6 Pony Package, fog lights, fender badges, pony tape stripe, rear decklid spoiler, and 18-inch polished aluminum wheels. Sequential LED tail lamps are standard.
The 2010 Mustang’s interior sets a high mark, with excellent fit and finish. Our Mustang featured leather-trimmed upholstery, with the Comfort package adding heated driver and passenger seats and six-way power adjustment. Power lumbar support hits the spot.
This little pony delivers the tunes, with an eight-speaker, 500-watt Shaker Audio System, voice-activated Microsoft SYNC, SIRUS satellite radio, and steering wheel controls. SYNC’s USB iPod support and Bluetooth cellphone support earn high marks. There are two power outlets, one on the dash and one in the console. A standard audio input jack is also provided.
Convertible top operation was smooth and easy, although not exceptionally speedy. The Mustang was relatively quiet with the convertible top up. SYNC voice-operation was challenged with the top down, but functional. Although rearward visible isn’t too bad for a convertible (with the top up), a rear view camera is available.
The 2010 Mustang has two gotchas.
Rear seating is rather tight, especially with the top up. Needless to say, it’s much easier to climb into the back seats with the convertible top down.
The Mustang’s trunk is relatively small. The Mustang coupe’s cargo area is rated at 13.4 cubic feet (larger than the Camaro, but significantly smaller than the Challenger), while the Mustang convertible’s cargo area is rated at just 9.6 cubic feet. While the rear seat folds down in the coupe (allowing for more flexible cargo arrangement), the rear seat does not fold down in the convertible.
All-in-all, the 2010 Ford Mustang V6 represents a significant step up over previous years. While a bit down on power, the Mustang V6’s solid handling, sweet interior, rocking sound system, and convertible model earn it a slot at the top of the pack. Rest assured, the ante will be upped as Ford switches over to the EcoBoost engines in upcoming models, with higher fuel economy and improved performance.
– by Daniel Gray
How much does the V6 Mustang weigh?
You’ve said it’s 4300 pounds but the Challenger is heavier at 3800.
Keep up the good work, by the way. You do really interesting and useful reviews, so thanks!
@Jeremy – Thanks for the kind words and for catching a typo! According to Ford’s specs, the 2010 Mustang V6 weighs in at 3,401 (estimated) pounds with the manual transmission and 3,454 with the automatic. Not sure what the weight difference is between the coupe and convertible, …
The convertible weighs 3,533 lbs with the manual transmission and 3,575 with the automatic.
Also, climbing into the rear seats of the convertible isn’t the problem, its the roof height. If you’re over say 5’11” you’ll be slouched over with your feet sticking out sideways, or bent over with numbing back pain in the convertible.
I t’s a great car, but the last time I was forced to sit in the back, I gave up and just pushed my head up into the roof. Wonder what that looked like from the outside?
Hey you say the Convertible is 3,575lbs.. How is the coupe less weight when the top weighs much less than metal??
@Smith – It’s the metal that you can’t see … Convertibles are typically stiffened through the addition of additional metal bracing to make up for the loss of the metal roof. Without the added metal bracing, they can twist like a pretzel.