2010 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Convertible

Premium versions of the V6 enjoy air conditioning, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery on the front bucket and split-folding rear seats, a six-way power driver’s seat, power mirrors, windows, and locks, remote keyless entry, aluminum interior trim, an upgraded sound system with satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and an iPod adapter, a tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, a rear defogger, power top, 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