So the 2005 Mustang is a runner – that’s good, because the interior is where the new Mustang runs into a bit of trouble. It’s a case of brilliant design and questionable execution. Taken from the 1967 Mustang, the design is sublime in its simplicity and organization. Controls are where they should be; they are designed simply and are not ostentatious. Chrome accents are a nice touch – but most people will probably be quite happy with the standard trim that comes with the base Mustang. Such is the beauty of the design – it flows from front to back, a cabin that brings to mind the clean lines of the sixties with a 21st century edge. In a decidedly retro setting, passengers and drivers will find a color-configurable instrument panel of more than 125 different color backgrounds and standard features such as one-touch up/down power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry and power locks, a heated rear window and interval wipers. The round air vents close all the way, a nice touch not seen in many $20,000 cars. These are the same vents used in the Ford F-150, but no matter – they fit in perfectly here. The seats are quite comfortable, too, with plenty of thigh support for aggressive driving. Compared to the 2004 Mustang, there’s more room, around an inch or so all the way around. The biggest improvement is in rear hip room – a whopping 5 inches more in the 2005 model compared to the 2004 version. Stats aside, there is headroom and legroom room in the back for average adults, though keep in mind that the Mustang is still a large coupe – and not a sedan. The trouble with the interior begins at the top – with a cheap fuzzy headliner and floppy sun visors. It gets worse in the front, where a multitude of plastics and grains converge into a mishmash at the center panel. There’s beige, with grain, and beige without, and black – all meeting together at the center of the car. There is too much hard plastic, not enough with a tactile feel, and some of the accents won't last. The 1-5 gear indicator on the shifter, for example, is not notched into the top -- just ink that will likely soon fade away. There is also a small amount of glare from the front window, and passengers feel as though they are riding in a pit. Overall, the execution could be better here, and it brings the driver back to reality – this is, after all, a $20,000 car.
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