2006 Ford Mustang Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Expert review
The 2006 Ford Mustang has a smooth ride, a wide variety of customization options, and a vintage-inspired look.
The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic vehicles ever made, and its recent overhaul brought new, retro styling, updated powertrain options, and new tech to the storied muscle car. The 2006 Mustang still rides high from that 2005 redesign, but gets a quieter interior and updated tech for the new model year.
The Mustang is offered as either a fastback coupe or as a convertible, and can be had with either a V6 or V8 engine. The V6 is a 4.0-liter unit that produces 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The 4.6-liter V8 in the Ford Mustang GT makes 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard.
The Mustang competes against the Nissan 350Z, Hyundai Tiburon, Pontiac GTO, and Chrysler Sebring. It’s targeted at new-car buyers that want a classic American muscle car with the amenities of a modern vehicle.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
The Mustang’s 2005 redesign brought it back to its roots. The latest Mustang style harkens back to a time when this Ford "pony car" was king of the road and nobody else had a clue. A long hood and elevated rear deck lid highlight its profile, while several other “Easter eggs” are scattered throughout the car’s interior and exterior.
Inside, the Mustang’s cabin is unashamed of its throwback intentions. The front seats are split into two distinct areas, and the driver’s side is dominated by an old-school three-spoke steering wheel, vintage-inspired round gauges, and a cockpit that would look much more at home in the 1960s than in 2006.
Performance
With this latest iteration, Ford has improved many of the previous-generation Mustang’s weaknesses. The V6 is an advanced engine that is flexible enough to stand up to a variety of situations, from hauling groceries around town to hauling tail through curvy mountain roads. The V8 features variable camshaft timing and electronic throttle control that help it save fuel and produce tremendous power.
Where previous Mustangs fell down at the first sign of a curve, the new car is much more composed and controlled. It’s got a longer wheelbase than previous models and the rear suspension is all-new, with coil springs and a three-link design (but still with a solid rear axle). The new setup reduces instability and the typical bouncy rear end over rough roads.
Form & function
The Mustang has gotten bigger over the years, but Ford has managed to put that extra space to good use in the car’s interior. The front seats feature more leg, hip, and shoulder room than before. The front buckets are supportive and hold backsides firmly in place when driving spiritedly. The back seat, however, is not a good choice for anyone but children, and even car seats will be difficult to squeeze in.
Despite its lack of back-seat space, the Mustang at least offers a healthy dose of trunk space. Folding rear seats open the space up even further, but the convertible top cuts into the cargo area to a high degree.
Technology
Safety
The Mustang’s crash test scores leave more than a little to be desired. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "acceptable" for moderate overlap front crashworthiness, but gave it a "poor" score for its head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Mustang five stars in frontal crash testing, four stars in side crash tests, and five stars for rollover resistance.
Standard safety features include front seatbelt pretensioners, front and rear ventilated disc brakes, an engine immobilizer, an emergency trunk release, and a passenger airbag occupant sensing system. Available features include an electronic brakeforce distribution system, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, fog lights, and electronic traction control.
Cost-effectiveness
The Mustang offers a low bar of entry to a true American sports car. The base model’s starting price of $19,115 buys a basic car with few amenities, but it’s still a Mustang and it still looks the part, even if it’s not the uprated GT trim. At the top end, the ‘Stang reaches an MSRP of nearly $30,000, but that money buys a Mustang convertible with a rowdy V8 engine. There’s really no way to go wrong with the Mustang, and the car’s recent improvements have made it more worthy of its price tag than ever before.
The Mustang V6 has fuel-economy ratings of 17/26/20 mpg city/hwy/combined with a manual transmission and 17/23/19 mpg with the available five-speed automatic. Those gas-mileage numbers shift to 15/23/18 mpg for the V8 model with a manual and 15/22/18 mpg for the V8 with the automatic transmission.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2006 Ford Mustang love the classic styling, powerful performance, and driving excitement this model offers. Many find it a fun car to drive with great handling, while also appreciating its nod to American muscle car heritage. However, some drivers noted the gas mileage could be better, and a few experienced issues with rattles and minor maintenance concerns. In essence, it's a beloved option for those looking for a stylish and sporty ride."
This car is the best value Ive ever had the chance to get. Low miles, absolutely pristine, and very reasonably priced.
November 25, 2021Everything is nice about this car. The only draw back is a v8 engine likes gas. This is a very sharp car with a nearly perfect interior that looks like it rolled off the factory floor. The outside is in fine shape also.
July 16, 2014I love this car! This car is very fun to drive. The styling is extremely fun and retro. Interior is very comfortable and functional. As far as performance, this car is not outstanding, but it is ok. I mean, it is a Mustang! So far, I have only added a Boom-tube single exhaust, but hope to add a Ford Racing CAI with a custom Bama tune in the near future. Exterior styling will come as well.
June 28, 2010What owners say
This car is the best value Ive ever had the chance to get. Low miles, absolutely pristine, and very reasonably priced.
November 25, 2021Everything is nice about this car. The only draw back is a v8 engine likes gas. This is a very sharp car with a nearly perfect interior that looks like it rolled off the factory floor. The outside is in fine shape also.
July 16, 2014I love this car! This car is very fun to drive. The styling is extremely fun and retro. Interior is very comfortable and functional. As far as performance, this car is not outstanding, but it is ok. I mean, it is a Mustang! So far, I have only added a Boom-tube single exhaust, but hope to add a Ford Racing CAI with a custom Bama tune in the near future. Exterior styling will come as well.
June 28, 2010Only down side is that it is V6, but everything about the car is awesome. The Shaker500 is an awesome sound system for a stock Mustang and the pony package adds a nice touch to the exterior and interior. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2009Wonderful Muscle Car! The light turns green and this car leaves everyone else behind. The acceleration gives it plenty of attitude and it hugs the road tight enough for any turn and breaks quick enough to handle any speed. It takes some gas but is built well enough not to need repairs. Looks beautiful inside and out causing heads to turn when it roars down the street. This car is a thrill to drive!
August 13, 20084.7 Liter V8, leather interior, Shaker 1000 system, and a really smooth ride. I raced it at the drags and ran a 15.38 second quarter-mile.
April 18, 2008This is one of the greatest sports cars produced in USA. The GT mustang with 4.6l v8 is very fast off the start and has plenty of room to go on the top end. Aftermarket exhaust makes this car sound great. I have no complaints. Would purchase 5 more of these cars. Nice cars!
March 12, 2015The Mustang GT's classic muscle car looks and supreme powerful performance quickly outweigh any of the cons. The car is a thrill for drivers of all age, old and young. The car has surprisingly good gas mileage IF you can control your lead foot, and this car begs you to have a lead foot. Any fuel mileage woes are quickly corrected as soon as you get the common "Hey, nice car" in the parking lots.
November 4, 2013performance of this car is great for a V6, it takes off the second you come off the clutch but very different feeling from the V8. build quality is great, theres a charcoal canister connected to the exhaust which makes the check engine light come on but goes off as soon as it is vented. Appearance gets looks everywhere i take it, gas milage is a little high but average 25 miles a gallon. fun factor is a ten, def a great car to drive
November 25, 2011Performance isn't a lot but it's enough. It's just fast enough to be fun. Build quality isn't quite German quality, but I do know it's a lot better than the older ones. The interior quadrupled in quality. ( I had a '97 Mustang that creeked rattled and moan inside) Appearence is a "to each his own" thing, but I think the car is beautiful. It's throw back, and modern all at the same time. The car's long sleek classy look defines it and sets it apart from the every day car, while still maintain some of the classic Mustang square body lines. Cost of Ownership is actually pretty low. The car it's self wasn't too expensive, and gas is about average, and so far I haven't had to put any money into extra maintenance, just he regular oil change and fluids, etc. Fun Factor, I would have to say is great. The car is peppy, it feels like it wants to go fast. It pulls in pretty much any gear, and will almost always grab second with minimal effort. I'd definitely recomend this car to a friend.
June 25, 2008Trims & specs
Base MSRP $25,860 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.6L 300 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 13.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 19 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $24,660 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.0L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 9.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $25,635 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.0L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 9.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $24,760 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.0L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 9.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $19,835 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.0L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 13.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $20,810 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.0L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $19,935 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.0L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 13.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 21 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $27,040 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.6L 300 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 13.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 19 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $31,865 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.6L 300 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 9.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 19 | Drivetrain RWD |
Base MSRP $30,685 | Seating 4 |
Engine 4.6L 300 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 9.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 19 | Drivetrain RWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$19,835 - $31,865
Current avg. market price
$14,325
Trending up by 1.5% this month
May 2026 - October 2026
