2009 Ford Mustang Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 Ford Mustang overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 Ford Mustang, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the 2009 Ford Mustang.

Perhaps realizing that it didn’t really need 12 different Mustang models to choose from, Ford pares the lineup for 2009. Gone are the Shelby GT and GT-H, and the Shelby GT500KR. V6, GT, Bullitt, and Shelby GT500 models return, along with the California Special package and Warriors in Pink special edition model. A new glass roof option is available on V6 and GT models for pennies less than $2,000, and it’s pretty cool even if it adds weight where enthusiast drivers don’t want it. Mustangs equipped with Premium trim add satin aluminum dash panels, ambient lighting, and Sirius satellite radio for 2009, and there’s a new GT Security Package that includes an active anti-theft system and wheel locking kit. Brilliant Silver Metallic is a new paint choice for 2009.

Though Ford has trimmed the lineup by three models, there are still numerous Mustangs to choose from, fulfilling the automaker’s mission to provide “a steed for every need.”

The base model is the Mustang V6 Deluxe, including air conditioning, a CD player, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power side mirrors, power windows, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and floor mats. Pay extra for V6 Premium trim and get leather seats; a Shaker 500 audio system with Sirius satellite radio, a CD changer and MP3 player; ambient interior lighting; aluminum dash panels; and other upgrades.

Because the Mustang V6 is a bit of a bummer to drive, there’s the Mustang GT. The GT Deluxe is equipped identically to the V6 Deluxe, adding a V8 engine, traction control, ABS, 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, dual exhaust outlets, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. GT Premium models bump equipment levels in exactly the same way the V6 Premium does.

Recalling the 1968 Mustang Fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the late 1960s movie “Bullitt,” which features the car in one of the best car chase scenes of all time, the Mustang Bullitt returns for 2009. Equipped with a Ford Racing Power Pack cold air induction kit, the Bullitt model makes 315 horsepower and 325 ft.-lbs. of torque, revs to 6,500 rpm, and achieves a top speed of 151 mph. Handling is upgraded through suspension and chassis modifications, braking is improved with carbon metallic front brake pads, and the exhaust note is tuned to mimic the car used in the original movie. Dark gray 18-inch wheels are wrapped in high-performance rubber, complementing Dark Highland Green (the same as the movie car) or Black exterior paint. Inside, the Bullitt features a Charcoal Black leather interior, satin aluminum dash trim with a polished swirl finish, a polished aluminum shift knob, and better seat bolsters than the GT model.

For 2009, the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive Mustang is the Shelby GT500, built in partnership between Ford’s Special Vehicle Team and Shelby. Thanks to supercharging and intercooling, the GT500’s 5.4-liter V8 engine makes 500 horsepower and 480 ft.-lbs. of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission choice, and the Shelby includes a race-tuned suspension, four-piston Brembo brakes, and high-performance rubber. Separating the Shelby GT500 from other Mustangs are numerous Cobra snake badges and gleaming white LeMans stripes on the Shelby GT500 Coupe. Satin aluminum trim replaces the chromed plastic found in other Mustangs, and the GT500 switches the tachometer and speedometer locations for better visibility of engine revs during performance driving. Sport bolstered seats and an aluminum shift knob complete the package.

Most buyers choose the Mustang V6, which has 210 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm from a 4.0-liter V6. A standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic drives the rear wheels, and fuel economy estimates are 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway with the manual and 16 city/24 highway with the automatic.

The Mustang GT’s 4.6-liter V8 makes 300 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 320 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm while returning 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway with the manual and 15 city/22 highway with the automatic. In the Mustang Bullitt, the 4.6-liter V8 is equipped with a Ford Racing Power Pack cold air induction kit, increasing horsepower to 315 at 6,000 rpm and torque to 325 lb.-ft. at 4,250 rpm while getting the same fuel economy as the regular GT models.

Rummph-rummphing under the hood of the Shelby GT500, a supercharged and intercooled, dual overhead cam, 5.4-liter V8 engine whips up 500 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Offered only with a six-speed manual transmission, the Shelby GT500 achieves mileage estimates of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

Traction control and ABS are optional on the V6, GT, and Shelby GT, and Ford does not offer a stability control system or side curtain airbags on any Mustang. Traction control and ABS come standard on the Shelby GT500, and all Mustangs are equipped with dual front airbags and dual side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants.

According to NHTSA crash-test results, the 2009 Ford Mustang is one of the safest vehicles on the road. The Mustang Convertible receives a perfect score of 5 stars across the board, and the Mustang Coupe duplicates this feat except for a 4-star rating for side-impact protection for rear seat occupants. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) does not rate the Mustang as favorably. Having tested only the Mustang Convertible model, the IIHS gives an Acceptable rating in the frontal offset crash test, a Good rating in the side-impact crash test, and a Poor rating for rear crash protection.

For 2009, the Ford Mustang is tops in its class when it comes to initial quality, according to JDPower.com. Long-term reliability, according to J.D. Power, is expected to be no better than average. Consumer Reports utterly disagrees with J.D. Power on the 2009 Mustang, giving the car its lowest rating for predicted reliability.

Like the Mustang’s looks? Better act fast, because a restyled 2010 model is on the way, taking cues from the 1969-70 model rather than the 1965-68 version like today’s car. We’re big fans of the Mustang, and while disparate quality reports from JDPower.com and Consumer Reports have us perplexed, nothing on the market quite matches the Mustang’s combination of American style, performance swagger, and occupant protection in a crash. Plus, it’s just plain cool.