Ford Mustang vs. Mercury Cougar
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Mustang and the Mercury Cougar.
When we compare the Ford Mustang's and the Mercury Cougar's specifications and ratings, the Ford Mustang has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Mercury Cougar has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Ford Mustang's and the Mercury Cougar's specifications and ratings, the Ford Mustang is a better car than the Mercury Cougar.
Pricing: A used 1997 Ford Mustang ranges from $2,608 to $15,382 while a used 1997 Mercury Cougar is priced between $1,500 to $19,675.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Mustang’s base engine makes 150 horsepower, and the Mercury Cougar base engine makes 145 horsepower. The Mustang is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 405 miles. The Cougar is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles.This gives the Ford Mustang the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mercury Cougar the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar are comparable in regards to front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Ford Mustang has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$15,880
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$19,758
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$15,880 - $22,295
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,340
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$8,452
Price Range:
$2,608 - $15,382
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$11,928
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$8,452 - $17,150
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
19
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
91,014
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$7,536
Price Range:
$1,500 - $19,675
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Ford Mustang Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mercury Cougar Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Mustang
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercury Cougar
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.1 - 2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Ford Mustang Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 15Mercury Cougar Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Mustang Trim Levels
Not yet available
Mercury Cougar Trim Levels
XR7
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
150 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque:
215 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
145 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque:
215 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 27 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
270 / 405 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 24 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
288 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
30.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.1 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3084 lbs
Width:
71.8 inches
Height:
53.2 inches
Length:
181.5 inches
Wheelbase:
101.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
72.7 inches
Height:
52.5 inches
Length:
199.9 inches
Wheelbase:
113 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Clearcoat
Blue
Moonlight Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Green
Deep Forest Green Clearcoat Metallic / Pacific Green Clearcoat Metallic
Purple
Deep Violet Clearcoat Metallic
Red
Laser Red Tinted Clearcoat / Rio Red Tinted Clearcoat
White
Crystal White Clearcoat
Beige
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Clearcoat
Blue
Light Denim Blue Clearcoat Metallic / Moonlight Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Green
Alpine Green Clearcoat Metallic / Arctic Green Clearcoat Metallic / Pacific Green Clearcoat Metallic
Purple
Not available
Red
Laser Red Tinted Clearcoat Metallic
White
Vibrant White Clearcoat / White Opalescent Clearcoat Metallic
Beige
Light Prairie Tan Clearcoat Metallic
Silver
Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic
