2016 Ford Mustang
2016 Ford Mustang Overview
This year, the 2016 Mustang comes in either a fastback or convertible body style. Within these two styles, you have a choice of a V-6 engine, an Ecoboost 4 cylinder engine and a Coyote V-8. Rear parking sensors are optional on all Mustangs, but the EcoBoost and GT coupes are eligible for a black-painted roof. The EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium also offer 20-inch wheels. If you want more power and status, move to the Shelby, you can get a 5.2 liter Flat Plane Crankshaft high performance motor and looks wherever you go.
| Model: | 2016 Ford Mustang |
| Generation: | 6th Generation Mustang |
| Type: | 2 Door |
| Body Styles: | Fastback, Convertible |
| Engines: | 3.7L DOHC EFI V6, 2.3L Turbo 4, 5.0L DOHC V8, 5.2L DOHC V8 |
| Original Price: | $24,145 (Base Fastback), $29,645 (Base Convertible) |
| Units Produced: | 142,400 |
Additional 2016 Mustang Research: 2016 Research Center / Colors Details / Production Numbers / Prices & Options / Sales Brochures / Owner Manuals / Maintenance / Pictures / Videos / VIN Decoder / Special Editions
Background & Details
The trim levels for the 2016 Mustang start with the V-6 standard, move up to the EcoBoost in either a standard or premium, then to a GT in either a standard or premium trim level. Above this is the Shelby GT350 with all its options. The GT350 comes in one flavor only but it does have options to enhance the performance and ride.
New to 2016 is the Mustang’s new Sync 3 system with its simplified interface and smartphone-like pinch and swipe finger commands. From what I hear, indications are that it’s much quicker and easier to use than MyFord Touch was. It replaced the old MyFord Touch infotainment system which had a lot of clumsy commands and was somewhat difficult to use. Additionally, the EcoBoost and GT coupes gain an available black-painted roof. The GT Performance package is offered on the convertible and the coupe, and all GT models get standard secondary turn signals integrated into the hood vents. Newly offered GT -V8 bundles include the Black Accent and California Special packages while the EcoBoost engine gets a Pony package.
The 2016 Mustang slightly modifies last years new body style and remains a competitively priced muscle car. The 2016 Mustang has so many luxury features, it’s hard to believe that it’s a sports car until you press on the gas pedal. One press on the pedal proves that it retains the tire-smoking exuberance expected of an American performance icon. The 435-horsepower Mustang GT has the performance part down pat, it delivers formidable acceleration in a remarkably smooth manner. The turbocharged EcoBoost Mustang is somewhat slower in a straight line, but it handles a little better thanks to its lighter four-cylinder engine, and it gets up to 32 mpg on the highway. The interior materials are a step above the muscle-car stereotype, while classy touches like metal-look toggle switches and aluminum dash inserts dress up the cockpit. Outside, the Mustang’s unmistakable shape is as graceful and intimidating as ever. All Mustang versions come with either a six speed automatic or a six speed manual transmission. Automatics are also equipped with a paddle shifter.
Standard safety features for the 2016 Ford Mustang include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, a rearview camera, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags (coupe only) and driver and front passenger knee airbags. Also standard are Ford’s MyKey parental controls and (for manual-transmission models) hill-start assist. Optional on EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium are adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. In government crash tests, the Mustang coupe earned a five-star rating for overall crash protection, with five stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Mustang coupe its second best rating of Average its small-overlap frontal-impact crash test and the top rating of Good in moderate-overlap front-impact and side-impact crash tests. It also received a Good rating for roof strength and head restraints.
The 2016 Ford Mustang’s interior pays homage to Previous Mustangs’ past with retro touches like a dual-cowl dashboard, but it also offers nearly all of the latest conveniences. Even the base Mustang comes standard with unexpected options like keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera and Track Apps. Also standard is the Sync voice command system, which greatly simplifies the operation of audio and phone functions. The available Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system is new to the market, but it shows promise relative to its controversial MyFord Touch predecessor.
No matter which specification you choose, you’ll enjoy generally good-quality materials. The current Mustang has finally added a telescoping steering wheel, so most drivers should have no problem getting comfortable. Although the optional Recaro sport seats provide excellent lateral support for aggressive driving, they aren’t perfect for every body type. Thigh support is somewhat lacking due to a seat bottom that won’t angle upward enough, while some longer-limbed drivers note that their elbows bump against the thick side bolsters. The Recaros also can’t be had with power adjustment, heating or cooling, so be warned.
Both coupe and convertible body styles are considered four-seaters, as they have been from 1965 till now. But the rear seats are useless for a normal adult. Small children are not cramped, but their knees still hit the back of the front seats. If you have ever had to buckle a small child into a Mustang rear seat, and you succeeded, congratulations. You are very flexible and patient. The coupe’s trunk provides an adequate 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, while the convertible offers 11.4 cubic feet. Standard folding rear seatbacks on the coupe expand cargo capacity.
The 2016 Ford Mustang is a well-behaved muscle car that loves the open road. Tire and wind noise are modest, making for a fairly quiet interior at normal speeds. The ride can get annoyingly bouncy on irregular pavement, but it’s generally acceptable. If you bought the Performance package, which includes a stiffened suspension that’s you will notice a stiffer ride and it tightens up the handling considerably, so if you want the most capable Mustang configuration, it comes at a money and comfort price. If you’re not planning to attend any track days, the standard setup will suit you just fine with its compliant nature and still-respectable handling.
As for the GT’s V8, it does add some pounds in the nose, but that’s about the only drawback we can think of. This 5.0-liter mill is an absolute gem, putting down serious power and spinning effortlessly to redline with nary a vibration. We just wish it had a properly assertive exhaust note to match its capabilities; as of this writing, Ford doesn’t offer a sport exhaust, so you’ll have to take care of that part yourself.
V6 Mustang
The Mustang V6 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, LED taillights with sequential turn signals, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, manual front seats with driver-side height adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera, the Sync voice control system, Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch central display screen, MyKey parental controls (including a speed limiter, a volume limiter and geofencing), Track Apps performance telemetry and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and dual USB ports. The V-6 engine has sufficient horsepower to motivate the car down the road in a respectable manner. But if you upgrade to the EcoBoost, you can get the Performance package, which is unavailable with the V6. The turbo-4 could be more refined, as it lacks a smooth and consistent power delivery, but it’s a quality engine that improves handling due to its lighter weight.
Options include 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, LED fog lights and a six-way power driver seat.
A 3.7-liter V6 engine with 300 HP and 280 pound-feet of torque is standard on the base Mustang. According to EPA fuel economy estimates, it should return 21 mpg combined (17 city/28 highway) with the manual and 22 mpg combined (19/28) with the automatic.
Ecoboost Mustang
The EcoBoost comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, LED taillights with sequential turn signals, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, manual front seats with driver-side height adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera, the Sync voice control system, Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch central display screen, MyKey parental controls (including a speed limiter, a volume limiter and geofencing), Track Apps performance telemetry and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and dual USB ports. It also comes with its own wheel design and adds a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a six-way power passenger seat, aluminum dashboard trim and active noise cancellation.
Options include cloth Recaro sport seats and an EcoBoost Performance package, which features 19-inch wheels with summer tires, spoiler delete, shorter gearing for more responsive acceleration, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, a larger radiator, sport-tuned steering and stability control settings, different aluminum dash trim and additional gauges.
To the EcoBoost’s standard equipment the EcoBoost Premium adds heated exterior mirrors with horse lasers, a rear diffuser, ambient interior lighting, selectable drive modes, aluminum and chrome interior accents, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery (front seats only), a nine-speaker audio system, satellite radio and the Sync 3 infotainment system (including an 8-inch touchscreen and enhanced voice controls).
The EcoBoost Premium mostly shares the regular EcoBoost’s options, substituting leather Recaro sport seats, and it also offers a Premier Trim with Color Accent package (charcoal black interior, color-accented leather upholstery, unique door trim), a Pony package (19-inch wheels, unique front fascia, side stripe, pony-logo floor mats), a navigation system, adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert, automatic wipers, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver memory settings (not available with the Recaro seats), HD radio and a 12-speaker Shaker audio system.
The EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium trims step up to a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine generating 310 HP and 320 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is estimated at 25 mpg combined (22/31) with the manual coupe, 25 mpg combined (21/32) with the automatic coupe and 24 mpg combined (20/29) with the automatic convertible. The EcoBoost goes from 0-60 in about 5.9 seconds
Special Edition Models & Variants
Once again Ford had an EcoBoost Turbo model in the lineup as well as the usual GT performance model.
Mustang GT
The 2016 Mustang GT comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, LED taillights with sequential turn signals, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, manual front seats with driver-side height adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera, the Sync voice control system, Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch central display screen, MyKey parental controls (including a speed limiter, a volume limiter and geofencing), Track Apps performance telemetry and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and dual USB ports.
The Mustang GT is again powered by the 435 horsepower Coyote V8 engine. It also has upgraded brakes, electronic line-lock to enable warming of the rear tires, and launch control on manual transmission only. Cool options for the GT are Recaro sport seats, Brembo front brakes and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The GT Premium comes with most of the standard GT options but it substitutes leather Recaro sport seats, and also offers a Premier Trim with Color Accent package and other tasty upgrades.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Mustang GT
Mustang GT/CS California Special
The GT/CS or California Special package is back with lots of exterior visual enhancements including hood and side stripes, a new grille with offset tri-bar pony logo, a black rear-deck spoiler and special faux gas cap emblem. Inside is a unique upholstery set comprised of black leather with Miko suede inserts, red contrast stitching and lots of logos. Performance and suspension remain largely the same as the GT Premium. The GT/CS package can be had on both 2016 Mustang GT Premium fastback and convertible.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Mustang GT/CS California Special
Shelby GT350
Early in development of the GT350, it was decided a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 engine would best suit a track-focused Mustang. “The final product is essentially an all-new powerplant unique to GT350 – and one that takes true advantage of the new chassis dynamics of the Mustang platform,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Global Performance Vehicles. The new 5.2-liter engine is the first-ever production V8 from Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft, an architecture typically found only in racing applications or exotic European sports cars. Unlike a traditional V8, where the connecting rods are attached to the crankshaft at 90-degree intervals, this design evenly spaces all crank pins at 180-degree intervals.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
Shelby GT350R
Ford group vice president Raj Nair said it best: “The Shelby GT350R Mustang is a no-compromise car in the pursuit of maximum track capability,” and “It is a thoroughbred street car making use of technology and ingenuity to deliver performance few enthusiasts have ever experienced.” The Shelby GT350R has been designed to deliver crazy track capability from a Mustang – thanks to advanced aero, chassis engineering and light-weighting.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
Cobra Jet
The 2016 Cobra Jet continues the factory hot-rod tradition, with Ford Performance’s latest evolution of
the limited edition, factory-produced turn-key race car. As delivered, its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine is capable of powering the Cobra Jet to 8-second quarter mile times. The 2016 CJ’s many enhancements include drag-race specific coil-over shocks and springs, lightweight Strange racing brakes, 8.50-certified roll cage, an Aeromotive fuel system with trunk-mounted fuel cell, Corbeau FIA seats, 5-point race harnesses, and a race-prepped 3-speed automatic transmission.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet
Shelby GT-H
Fifty years after the Shelby GT350-H was introduced, Ford Motor Company, Shelby American and Hertz unveiled a special run of performance-modified 2016 Ford Mustang GTs named the Shelby GT-H that were available for rent beginning Memorial Day weekend of 2016. As a throwback to the famed Shelby GT350-H “Rent-A-Racer” program of the 1960s, a total of 140 2016 Ford Shelby GT-H’s were made available exclusively through the Hertz Adrenaline Collection at select airport locations in the continental United States.
Learn more about the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H
Aftermarket Mustang Models
Coming Soon
Specifications, Options & Detailed Stats
Production Numbers
A total of 142,400 Mustangs were sold in the second year of the sixth generation Mustang. Unfortunately, we cannot get our hands on the detail breakdown by variant or option. We continue to dig around for it so if you have that information definitely let us know.
Options and Pricing
The new Shelby GT350 saw the Mustang range creep up to almost $50,000 which shows you just how much of a performance bargain the range is. The fact that you could buy a flat-plane V8 sportscar with over 500hp and competitive handling and performance numbers for under $50k is just amazing. For more detailed options and pricing please check out our 2016 pricing and options research.
Exterior & Interior Colors
A total of 11 colors were available for the 2016 Mustang model year. For detailed colors, color palettes, codes and interior colors please check out our in depth 2016 colors information post.
Engine Specs
Most exciting engine for 2016 was easily the Voodoo 5.2-liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine used in both the Shelby GT350 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R. Featuring a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design, in a V configuration, the Ford Voodoo architecture has been part of the Ford Modular family since 2015. This engine is hand-built and was specifically designed for the Shelby GT350 and GT350R. Interestingly, the Voodoo engine utilizes a flat plane crankshaft. This reduces the engine’s overall weight while allowing it to rev faster and higher. The unique configuration also gives this engine a distinguished exhaust note when compared with other American V8 engines. An absolute masterpiece of the engine. The rest of the lineup was the same as the 2015 model year which is great because the 4 cylinder ecoboost, the standard V6 and the GTs V8 were all great performers.
For more information on engines for 2016, you can find the information here.
Dimensions & Weight
There were no major changes to the dimension and weight of the main models.
Performance
Below we have 0-60 mph, top speed and quarter mile times for the 2016 Mustang range where they are available. One look at the straight line numbers for the Shelby GT350 and GT350R shows that they are definitely the top dogs of the 2016 Mustang range. When Car & Driver tested both cars they found that there was more to the Shelbys than just straight line speed. First the flat plan V8 has “a faster, more syncopated thrum that is more like what you hear from a Ferrari” and the handling and overall performance was on-par with more exotic machines like the Porsche 911 model range.
VIN Information
This link will take you to a page which contains the VIN tag information for all years of Mustangs. Previously this information appeared on each Mustang’s year page, but consolidating it has significantly reduced page loading times. To decode the build sheet, check out our 2016 VIN & Data Plate Decoder sheet.
Videos & Picture Galleries
We managed to find some great video reviews of the 2016 Mustang so definitely check those out. We also have a picture 2016 Ford Mustang Picture Gallery and photos of real Mustangs in each color that was available.
