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Best Ford Mustang 2014 Ever (Car Technology), The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the platform of the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, and thus dubbed as a "1964½" model by Mustang fans, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A. The Mustang has undergone several transformations to its current fifth generation. The Ford Mustang is a known quantity. For Americans who care about cars or those who don't, it's likely the Mustang conjures up memories and associations. And like other muscle-car reincarnations like the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger, it takes some of the look, and the sound, of the old pony cars, yet it lives in the present.

The 2014 Ford Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible, offered in four trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT and GT Premium. The Shelby GT500 is reviewed separately and the Boss 302 is no longer available.

Base V6 models start with 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless entry, integrated blind-spot mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

Stepping up to the V6 Premium adds upgraded 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, Bluetooth, Ford's Sync voice activation system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, color-adjustable gauges and ambient lighting, a color information display between the gauges, upgraded interior trim and a premium eight-speaker sound system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB audio interface.

With the 3.7-liter V6, the 2014 Ford Mustang produces 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang GT steps up to a 5.0-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both have a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional.

Fuel economy for the Mustang V6 coupe is an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 23 mpg in combined driving with the automatic transmission, while the manual is estimated at 19/29/22. The GT has an 18/25/20 rating with the automatic and 15/26/19 with the manual. Opting for more aggressive rear differential gear ratios will reduce fuel economy.

In Edmunds testing, a V6 Mustang loaded with the Performance package and 3.31 rear axle gear ratio accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. A regular V6 with the automatic did it in 6.8 seconds, which is still pretty quick. We've also tested the V8 with the manual, and it recorded an impressive sprint to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

Regardless of which 2014 Ford Mustang you choose, you're in for a wild ride. The base V6 makes more than enough power for the average driver and plenty of oomph to satisfy a majority of driving enthusiasts as well. The V8 engine kicks performance up a few notches, with gobs of torque and a glorious exhaust note. We recommend opting for the manual transmission, as it's easy to drive and gets the most out of whatever engine it's attached to. The automatic isn't a bad choice, but its shifter-mounted toggle control for manual gearchanges is out of place in a sport coupe considering paddle shifters are now the norm.

The V6 Performance and GT Track packages add sharpness to the handling with only a small degradation in ride comfort. It's also worth noting that the Mustang's selectable-effort power steering accommodates a driver's preference for feel and weight through the wheel.

Within the pony car triumvirate of the Camaro, Challenger and Mustang, the Ford feels the tidiest and lightest on its feet. On a curvy road, the Mustang responds eagerly to steering inputs and feels controlled and manageable. Also contributing to the latter are the Mustang's superior sight lines around the A-pillars, which provide more confidence when running through a curvy road. Due to the Mustang's suspension design with its heavy, solid rear axle, the back of the car can get a bit lively when you encounter bumps in the middle of a corner taken at higher speeds.