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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.3L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 31 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,700 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 356 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $24,711–$30,152 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Ford Mustang at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.6/10, while Value at 7.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sports — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.2/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.1/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.6/10. The Ford Mustang delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.2/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $24,711–$30,152, 15 MPG, seating 4, the Ford Mustang sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sports market. The 7.1/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Ford Mustang is a passable sports but not a standout one. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Ford Mustang ranks #237 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 25% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $24,711 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 46%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Across the Mustang model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $33,490 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $33,490 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $32,515 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $31,539 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $30,564 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $29,588 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $28,613 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $27,637 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $26,662 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $25,686 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $24,711 | |
| 2015 | 7.3/10 | $23,735 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts 26/10/2015 · 15V707000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015. The front and rear seat belts and child seat tether anchors may have been damaged in shipping from the supplier to… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system / Hoses/lines/piping/fittings 26/10/2016 · 16V779000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016. A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 16/02/2022 · 22V082000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 04/09/2025 · 25V572000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger… |
| Seat belts / Pretensioner 12/09/2025 · 25V614000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.