2007 Ford Mustang Exterior Review [ 2009 , 2008 ]
Ford Mustang Exterior Review
Exterior - 8.5 (Very Good)
When it comes to exterior styling, reviewers are nearly unanimous in deciding the Mustang to be exceptional. The Los Angeles Times writes, "The car looks badass, brooding, hunched over and malevolent, like it was contemplating the first punch of a bar brawl. Just about perfect." With styling cues drawn from its storied lineage, there's "no mistaking this form for anything but a Mustang," decides the Arizona Republic. "The shape is evocative without being cloyingly retro, with a style that's updated rather than imitated."
Reviewers line up to identify the various model years that have influenced the latest incarnation of the Mustang. Calling it "a deft blend of classic American muscle car styling cues and modern design," Edmunds says the Mustang "wears its heritage like a badge of honor. The canted nose -- with its big grille, round headlights and on GTs, grille-mounted foglights -- recalls the 1967-'69 Mustangs, while the side sculpting, taillights and the coupe's fastback roof line recall ponies of the 1965 vintage." Road & Travel Magazine spots similar influences, writing: "The new Mustang communicates simplicity in design emanating from earlier models built in the 60s. For example, the prominent large front grill with round headlights recalls Mustangs from the 1967 to 1969 vintage; the sculpted side and broad taillights takes us back to 1964; the triangular side windows are reminiscent of Carol Shelby's 1965 Shelby GT 350."
The Kansas City Star, too, spots "design cues from the 1967-1970 models," but deems the design "totally fresh and muscular. The hood is long and the trunk short. The fastback roofline blends into the trunk very neatly. The taillights recall those from the 1966. People reacted positively to the new styling, which drew stares, waves and comments everywhere." The New York Times says that the Mustang's "exceptionally clean lines" echo older models "yet look quite modern, in much the way Volkswagen's playful New Beetle captured the essence of the old one."
Exterior Trims
V6
The V6 is distinguished by its single exhaust tip and distinctive front and rear fascia.
GT
Fog lamps built into the grille and dual exhaust tips distinguish the GT from the V6.
Shelby GT500
Cars.com explains: "The traditional pony logo on the grille is replaced with an offset cobra design on the Shelby GT500, and the headlight enclosures angle in more sharply than those on the regular edition. The hood is fitted with two openings designed to vent heat from the engine bay."
