1994 Ford Mustang
Fourth generation · SN95 1994–2004
The SN95 platform, which returned curved styling to the Mustang from 1994 to 2004.
The 1994 model year
Overview
The first ground-up redesign in 15 years. Code-named SN95 (an updated "Fox-4" version of the Fox platform), the 1994 Mustang dropped the old hatchback and notchback for a single rounded body offered as a coupe or convertible, brought back retro cues (the running-horse grille, tri-bar taillights, a dual-cockpit dash), and added standard dual front airbags. The 5.0 pushrod V8 carried over under the new skin for one more chapter. (Horsepower figures are SAE net.)
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 3.8 L Essex V6 (base) 145 hp
- 5.0 L pushrod V8 (GT) 215 hp
- 5.0 L pushrod V8 (SVT Cobra) 240 hp
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual (Borg-Warner T-5), 4-speed automatic (AODE)
- Body styles
- Coupe, Convertible
- Base price
- $17,270 (GT coupe) ≈$36,600 today (inflation-adjusted) Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
- Production
- SVT Cobra: 5,009 coupes + 1,000 Indy Pace Car convertibles
Year over year
What changed
- All-new SN95 body — first major redesign since 1979; rounded, retro-influenced styling.
- The hatchback and notchback were dropped; the lineup became coupe + convertible only.
- Standard dual front airbags.
- The 5.0 pushrod V8 carried over from the Fox era (GT and Cobra).
- The base four-cylinder was gone; a 3.8 L V6 became the entry engine.
- The SVT Cobra returned as the in-house performance flagship.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Earlier (1994–95) cars use the 5.0 pushrod V8 — a well-understood, heavily supported engine with a deep aftermarket.
- SN95 convertibles can develop cowl-shake and weatherstrip leaks with age; inspect the top and floors.
- Front subframe and strut-tower areas are the usual rust checkpoints on northern cars.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Launch year of the SN95 — the styling reset that carried the Mustang through 2004.
- The 1994 SVT Cobra convertible paced the Indianapolis 500 (1,000 Rio Red Indy Pace Cars built).
- Last-of-an-era appeal: 1994–95 are the only fourth-gen years with the pushrod 5.0.
Sources
Other Fourth generation years
Explore the SN95 generation → All Fourth generation · SN95 years →