Ford Mustang - Safety explained

The sixth generation of the iconic Ford Mustang is the current iteration of the Mustang pony car. It is the first Mustang under the “One Ford” business plan that is marketed and sold globally. What’s new in this current installment is the fully independent rear suspension on all models as well as engine options.

Ford Mustang specs sheet includes two engine options: the 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 and the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8. The 2.3 L EcoBoost can deliver 310 hp of peak output at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 475 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 10-speed SelectShift automatic with steering paddle shifters and selectable drive modes with 4-gang toggle switch pack: normal, sport+, track, drag strip, snow/wet. The 5.0L V8 GT Premium, on the other hand, can churn out 460 hp of maximum power at 7,000 rpm and 570 Nm of peak torque at 4,600 rpm. The engine is mated either to a 10-speed SelectShift automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission with launch control available on the convertible models. 

Here is a look at the Ford Mustang price list and Ford Mustang safety features:

Variant	Price
Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost Premium SelectShift AT Fastback	Php 2.838 million
Mustang 5.0L V8 GT Premium SelectShift AT Fastback	Php 3.518 million
Mustang 5.0L V8 GT Premium MT Convertible	Php 3.618 million
Mustang 5.0L V8 GT Premium SelectShift AT Convertible	Php 3.718 million

Standard active and passive safety features

• Airbags: Dual-stage front airbags, knee and front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags for the fastback models.
• AdvanceTrac® with Electronic Stability Control: Enhances stability and traction to help the driver navigate through tough terrains.
• Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Illuminates when a tire/s is significantly under-inflated.
• SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System and perimeter alarm: An engine immobilization system designed to prevent the engine from being started unless a coded key programmed to your vehicle is used.
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System: In an event of a collision, it activates the horn and emergency flashers to signal distress to passersby, helping to reduce emergency response time.
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children): For easy car seat installation.
• MyKey: Allows the driver to set restricted driving mode settings i.e. top speed, etc.

Standard driver-assist technologies

• Pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection: Gives visible and audible warnings when the car detects a collision with a vehicle or pedestrian.
• Automatic emergency braking (AEB): Applies brake when it detects a possible collision and applies maximum braking force.
• Blindspot information system (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert: Warns you if it detects a vehicle in either of your blind-spots while driving forward or approaching from either side while driving in reverse.
  
• Adaptive cruise control: Helps maintain your choice of speed and preset gaps from the vehicles in front.
• Lane-keeping system: Alerts the driver with steering wheel vibration and steering wheel torque to direct you back to your lane.
• Stability Control: Aids the driver when the handling limits have been reached by automatically reducing engine power and or applying brakes.
• Autolamp automatic on/off headlamps with wiper activation: Headlights automatically turn on when the wipers sense moisture from rain.
• Rearview camera: Gives a full-color image on the LCD screen when backing up.
• Reverse sensing system: Automatically scans for obstacles and emits audible beeps when it detects obstacles near the rear bumper.

Add-ons for enhanced security

• Electronic steering column lock: Locks the steering wheel when the key is not near the ignition.
• Wheels lock: Prevents your rims from being stolen and includes one unique locking lug nut per wheel.
• Navigation system: Voice-activated with pinch-to-zoom capability, and integrated SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.

Safety ratings

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2019 Ford Mustang got 5 stars on the Frontal Crash Test ratings with five stars indicating the most injury protection and one star indicating the least protection. The pony car scored 5 stars in all parameters.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which rates performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts, gave the highest grade of “good” in most parameters. However, the Mustang did get a “marginal” grade on Ease of Use and Structure and Safety Cage. It also got an “acceptable” grade in Overall Evaluation and Restraints and Dummy Kinematics. 

Lastly, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) gave the Ford Mustang’s safety three out of five stars. Though the Ford car rated high on adult occupant protection at 72 percent and pedestrian protection at 78 percent, the rating got pulled by the child occupant protection which only got a 32 percent rating. Safety assist is adequate at 61 percent.

Bottom line

Is the Ford Mustang a safe car? Definitely! Is it the safest car in the market? No, it is not. Despite the fact that it is choke-full of safety features and driver-assist systems, there are other cars in the market that have more. But do note that, safety on the road does not rest solely on the safety systems fitted into a car, it is a two-way streetcar and driver. The safety features of your vehicle can protect you in cases of untoward incidents like a collision and the driver-assist features lessens your risks when driving. But it is also the human factor—the driver himself who makes the car safe.

And frankly, you would not buy a Mustang thinking of babies or young children as passengers let alone make it into a family car. A Mustang is a showpiece. It is a car you’d purchase not mainly because of its safety features or functionality but because of the status symbol attached to it.

Also read: Ford Mustang - Variants comparison