2012 Ford Mustang Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Ford Mustang overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Ford Mustang, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the 2012 Ford Mustang.

Ever heard of a pony car? The original Ford Mustang gave that term to the automotive lexicon, and today the Mustang continues to exemplify what a pony car is, and always has been: engine in front, drive wheels in back, six- or eight-cylinders under the hood, and 2+2 seating in coupe or convertible format. Key competitors include the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger.

Ford relentlessly upgrades the Mustang with each passing year. For 2012, the big news is the addition of the limited-production Boss 302 model to the lineup. It bridges the gap between the Mustang GT and the Shelby GT500, and Ford calls it a “factory-built race car” and says it is the “quickest, best-handling, straight-production Mustang ever offered” by the automaker. A “front-to-back reengineered Mustang,” the Boss 302 features a 440-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 engine, transmission upgrades, and modifications to the steering, suspension, and braking components. Thanks to design changes inside and out, there’s no mistaking this car for any other Mustang.

An outgrowth of the Boss 302 program, all 2012 Mustangs now come with three driver-selectable electric steering settings, including a Comfort mode, a Standard mode, and a Sport mode. Also new on all Mustangs: illuminated visor vanity mirrors, Homelink, and sun visor storage. Mustang and Mustang GT can be equipped with new Reverse Sensing System and Security Package, or HID Headlamps and Security Package. Lava Red is a new limited-production exterior color, and it includes Lava Red interior accents. The Shelby GT500 can be equipped with new optional SVT-designed Recaro leather seats with stripes that are color-matched to those of the car. The GT500 can also be equipped with Sync AppLink technology.

A wide range of 2012 Mustang models is designed to meet a variety of budgets and performance requirements, all except the new Boss 302 offered in coupe or convertible format.

The least expensive version is the Mustang V6, equipped with air conditioning, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, power windows, power blind-spot mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, floor mats, a CD player, and an auxiliary audio input jack. A limited-slip rear differential, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a 160-mph speedometer are also included. Ford’s MyKey technology allows Mustang owners to program vehicle speed and stereo volume limits, removes the ability to turn off the stability control system, and set incessant seatbelt warning chimes. This is perfect when teenagers are in the house.

Many people like to upgrade to Premium V6 trim, which includes a Shaker 500 sound system, satellite radio, and Sync hands-free communication, entertainment, and telematics technology. The Premium model also comes with leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum spokes, aluminum dash trim, ambient cabin and MyColor instrumentation lighting, a HomeLink universal remote, and a six-way power driver’s seat. Machined-finish alloy wheels identify the Premium model from the outside, and this model can be outfitted with an optional Pony Package: 18-inch wheels, a corral-style grille with fog lights, automatic headlights, body-color mirrors, and a rear spoiler.

Ford trims the Mustang GT in a fashion similar to the V6 models, except they get lots of extra go-fast hardware. In addition to a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine and Vanilla Ice-style “5.0” badges, the GT has standard 18-inch alloy wheels, vented disc brakes, beefed-up suspension components, and a 3:31:1 rear axle ratio. Fog lights are embedded into the GT’s grille, a spoiler sits on the trunk, and shiny dual rolled exhaust outlets rumble with authority. GT models also have automatic headlights. Choose the GT Premium model and you’ll get the same equipment found on the V6 Premium, except convertible models have a cloth top instead of vinyl.

If you want your Mustang V6 to handle more like a GT, you can option it with the GT’s suspension, a strut tower brace, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, a 3.31 rear axle ratio, and a stability control system that allows for extra tail-out fun. GT models can also be upgraded with 19-inch wheels and summer performance rubber, as well as a Brembo braking system. Other options list highlights include a six-speed automatic transmission, a premium Shaker 1000 audio system, a navigation system, a reversing camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, HID headlights, a six-way power front passenger’s seat, and heated front seats. Coupe models can also be equipped with a panoramic glass roof option.

New for 2012, the Boss 302 is a high-performance Mustang aimed straight at hard-core enthusiasts. It’s not available with many of the extras found on the less expensive GT or more expensive Shelby GT500, but it is infused with performance hardware and looks like nothing else on the road. A high-performance version of the GT’s V8 engine is standard, as well as a short-throw manual gearbox equipped with a racing-style clutch, a 3.73 limited-slip rear axle, a lowered and stiffened suspension with adjustable front struts and rear shocks, a re-tuned induction sound tube and quad exhaust system with side and rear outlets, and revised electric steering calibration. Like all 2012 Mustangs, the Boss 302’s tiller can be set to Comfort, Normal, or Sport mode. Additional upgrades include a new Sport mode for the AdvanceTrac traction and stability control system, lightweight 19-inch staggered width racing wheels, Pirelli PZero summer performance tires, Brembo brakes with special compound brake pads. To help Boss 302 buyers understand what their Mustangs are capable of, every car sold includes a free Boss Track Attack driving school using FoMoCo cars. All you need to do is show up in Salt Lake City’s Miller Motorsports Park and get a hotel room. Ford takes care of the rest.

The Boss 302 is trimmed out like a standard Mustang GT, but adds unique seats, an Alcantara steering wheel rim, and distinctive décor inside and out. A Laguna Seca Package adds a Torsen helical limited-slip rear differential, unique rear springs and sway bar, racing compound rubber, a front-air splitter, and red exterior detailing including the grille, wheels, stripes, roof, and rear spoiler. The Torsen differential is also available separately from the Laguna Seca Package, in conjunction with optional cloth-wrapped Recaro front seats.

The 2012 Mustang Shelby GT500 is based on the GT Premium model, but with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine, Brembo performance brakes, and 19-inch wheels wearing Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. The GT500 features an aluminum hood and HID headlights, and is styled and detailed differently. Interiors are equipped with leather seats with racing stripes and Alcantara inserts, a leather- and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, a short-throw shifter with a cue-ball shift knob, and an special gauge cluster.

Shelby options include dual-zone automatic climate control, a navigation system, Shaker 1000 audio, a panoramic glass roof, and new-for-2012 leather Recaro seats. An SVT Performance Package adds lightweight wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G2 summer performance tires, suspension modifications, a more aggressive rear axle ratio, and styling tweaks to create the ultimate Shelby GT500.

Here’s a conversation starter: the Mustang’s standard V6 engine makes more than 300 horsepower, gets more than 30 mpg, and requires oil changes every 10,000 miles. It’s an all-aluminum, 3.7-liter V6 making 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm, and thanks to variable camshaft timing it revs all the way to 7,000 rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard with a six-speed automatic transmission optional, and the automatic is equipped with grade-assist technology that holds a gear on hills for better acceleration or greater engine braking, depending on which side of the hill you’re driving. The EPA says fuel economy ratings are 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with the manual gearbox and 19-city/31-highway with the automatic.

The 2012 Mustang GT has an aluminum 5.0-liter V8 engine with variable camshaft timing, making 412 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 390 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm as long as you’re using premium gas. On regular unleaded, it makes 402 ponies and 377 lb-ft of twist. Like the V6 engine, the V8 benefits from 10,000-mile oil change intervals. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, a grade-sensing six-speed automatic transmission is optional, and EPA fuel economy ratings are 17-city/26-highway with the manual and 18/25 with the automatic.

The new 2012 Mustang Boss 302 gets a massaged version of the GT’s 5.0-liter V8 that makes more horsepower (444 at 7,400 rpm) but slightly less torque (380 at 4,500 rpm). However, the engine revs to 7,500 rpm, and Ford says the torque curve is flatter and broader for better mid-range response on a racetrack. If you can’t operate a clutch pedal, you are out of luck as the Boss 302 comes only with a six-speed manual gearbox. It also requires premium gas, and, like the GT, gets 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Shelby GT500s have supercharged and intercooled, aluminum 5.4-liter V8 engine generating 550 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm on premium unleaded. Ford says 80 percent of the GT500’s torque is available between 1,750 and 6,250 rpm. A six-speed manual is the only transmission choice on this car, and fuel economy is rated at 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

If anything is missing from the Mustang’s standard safety equipment list, it’s side curtain airbags. Otherwise, the car is comprehensively equipped, and includes MyKey technology, which allows the owner to program limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume, to eliminate the ability to turn off the traction and stability control systems, and to set audible warnings for speed and seatbelt use. The 2012 Mustang is also equipped with an SOS Post Crash Alert system that makes it easier for rescue personnel to find the car after an airbag deployment by sounding the horn and activating the flashers.

Based on crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mustang is a safe vehicle. The IIHS has not assigned official ratings to the 2012 model as this review is written, but the 2011 Coupe received a Good rating in the frontal offset crash test, an Acceptable rating in the side-impact crash test, and a Good rating for rear crash protection. The Mustang Convertible received Good ratings in all three tests. The IIHS has not performed roof crush testing on the Mustang. If you’re looking for test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you’re not going to find any except for a 5-Star rollover resistance rating. As this review is written, the NHTSA hasn’t performed tests on the Mustang since it changed its testing procedures for 2011.

As far as dependability is concerned, both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates predict that the Mustang will provide better than average levels of reliability over time.

Vehix strongly recommends the 2012 Ford Mustang. It looks good, drives great, and combines favorable safety and reliability ratings with iconic style and impressive performance.

By Christian Wardlaw