For 2011, the Ford Mustang coupe comes in four variants: the V6, V6 Premium, GT, and GT Premium. The difference between the GT spec and the V6 is the engine as the GT comes with a 5-liter V8. All variants come standard with a rear-wheel drivetrain, ABS and traction control, front air conditioning, AM/FM satellite stereo, remote keyless entry among other features.

Both the V6 and the GT variant have the additional Premium variant which comes with upgraded interior trim like leather seats, lumbar support for the driver seats, and satellite navigation. The trims also come with a slew of additional customizing options like a hood scoop, special paint schemes, etc. The V6 can also be bought with an additional performance package that upgrades it with many parts and components of the GT, making it more fun for the dragstrip days.

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The variants in which the Mustang comes are easy to choose from. The V8 offers performance to thrill-seekers while the V6 offers lesser power but better fuel efficiency, making for a great daily driver.

The 2011 Ford Mustang engine is a 3.7L V6 that produces 305 horsepower while the GT trim’s 5-liter V8 produces 412 horsepower. Both the engines are more refined and are rev-happy which puts them on the peppier side than the last-gen engines. The engine upgrades are aided by stiffer suspension setup and performances upgrades like better brakes that make sure that the car has reduced body roll and better stability at higher speeds. The agility of the Mustang is rather apparent in the 2011 model.

If we look at the performance specs, the Mustang has a respectable 0-60 timing of 5.1 seconds same as the Camaro beaten by the Challenger and the 370Z. The only part where it seems to fall behind is the quarter-mile time which is 13.7 seconds, slower than the rivals.

The 2011 Nissan 370Z is the quickest of the bunch taking 4.9 seconds, but only by a mere smidge followed by the 2011 Dodge Challenger. Both the Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro are identical when it comes to 0-60 mph timings. The Challenger has a higher top speed of 160 mph which makes it the fastest of the lot. While the powertrain setup is similar, each coupe produces diminutively different outputs.

The fuel economy of the Mustang is surprisingly good with its base V6 powerplant. It has a mileage of 19 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. These two numbers exceed all the cars in this comparison. Unfortunately, the Mustang has a tank capacity of 16 gallons which is way less than what the competition offers. The Camaro, 370Z, and the Challenger all have a fuel tank capacity of 19, 19, 19.1 gallons, respectively.

The smaller gas tank has its limitations and results in a less than average driving range for the 2011 Ford Mustang with the numbers standing at 304/464 in the city and on the highway respectively. The combined range of the Mustang is also less than the competition with just 352 miles of range which is less when compared to the Camaro’s 380, 370Z’s 399, and the Challenger’s 401.1. It is the Chevrolet that has the least range in the segment averaging 20 MPG. 

The Mustang has always been a car that is known for its comfortable and spacious interiors as it is aimed towards touring the great Americas. The 2011 Ford Mustang interior offers seats for two passengers with decent comfort levels and adequate headroom and legroom. The Mustang also has rear seats which are rather cramped and more suitable for kids, not full-sized adults. The car also has a spacious trunk with 13.4 cubic feet of capacity. 

The Dodge Challenger offers the most spacious cabin here along with a generous 16.2 cu-ft of cargo space as well. The Nissan 370Z has the least space on the inside making it cramped for tall individuals and it can seat only two passengers. The Camaro has the least headroom here but its overall shoulder room and legroom make up for the deficit. 

Some of the highlights features of the interior are:

• Steering-mounted controls
• Cruise control
• Power Steering
• Leather seats
• Optional front heated seats
• Driver seat lumbar support

How intuitive is the 2011 Ford Mustang Coupe's infotainment unit?

The infotainment system on the 2011 Ford Mustang Coupe comes with AUX connectivity, CD player, AM/FM satellite radio. The MyKey system which offers programmable speed limits and warnings based on different profiles is offered in all trims as standard. The upper variants come with satellite navigation, voice-activated command system called SYNC which can be connected to mobile or media devices. The Premium trims also have the Shaker 500 sound system and the Sirius Satellite radio with MyColor Ambient cabin lighting system. Optional add-ons to the infotainment system include a Sirius Travel Link service.

Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are:

• AUX connectivity
• MyKey programmable system
• AM/FM satellite radio connectivity
• Voice-activated SYNC system
• Satnav in upper variants
• CD player

The exteriors of the 2011 Ford Mustang stay true to its original design with a low-slung swooping back design and a powerful long front. Overall, the classic Mustang stance is maintained. The sheet metal of the car has been redone to give it a wider and more aggressive look. All this adds up to the iconic mustang design which has a retro vibe from the front to the back.

The 2011 Ford mustang has an overall decent ground clearance of 5.7 inches enough to tackle potholes and rough patches but still maintaining the low pony car stance. When compared to the rivals, the Camaro and the 370Z both have lower ground clearance. The Mustang also has a shorter wheelbase of 107.1 inches aiding its maneuverability, while the Challenger’s 116 inches ensures more space on the inside.

Some of the key exterior features are:

• HID Headlamps
• Glass roof
• Tape stripe delete
• Rapid Spec 200A package
• 17-inch painted alloy wheels

The 2011 Mustang really shines when it comes to safety. It received a 5-star rating for rollover protection and an overall “Good” score given by the NHTSA which is a big deal as good is the highest possible score a car can achieve. The car also comes with ABS, traction control, and front and side-impact airbags for additional safety. Ford has also included a “Black Box” in the Mustang which records data in times of a crash and sends out an SOS signal if the airbags are triggered.

Some of the key safety features on offer are:

• Traction Control
• Anti-Lock Braking System
• Front airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Black Box emergency system and data recorder

Overall, the conclusion for the 2011 Ford Mustang Coupe comes down to the fact that it has improved in all aspects like safety, comfort, and performance. The original styling which looks great and is the essence of the true Mustang styling is still present. Not only that but it also has enough punch to be taken to a drag strip to pull out some great times at equally great speeds. All this comes at an attractive price making it an absolute bargain especially with the addition of the new V6 offering.