2010 Ford Mustang V6

The entry-level Mustang comes quite well-equipped, with air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery on the front bucket and split-folding rear seats, power mirrors, windows, and locks, remote keyless entry, an AM/FM/CD player with a digital-media player connection, a tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, a rear defogger, and, of course, floormats.

A not-anemic 4.0-liter, 210-hp V6 powers non-GT trims and actually outperforms many V8s in the model’s history. It comes with the option of either a manual or automatic five-speed, both praised almost unanimously for their smooth and precise operation. The EPA estimates 17/26 mpg for manual-equipped V6s and 16/24 for the same engine mated to the five-speed automatic.

Standard safety features are dual front and front side airbags, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, an antiskid system, Post-Crash Alert, a tire pressure monitor, and an emergency inside trunklid release.

By Michael Perkins