Generation history
The Ford Mustang has been through 7 generations, starting in 1965, 1974, 1979, 1994, 2005, 2015 and 2024. The gaps were 9, 5, 15, 11, 10, 9 years, an average of 9.8. Some of those waits were long. The current generation began in 2024. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2033 through 2035, centered on 2034. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: Ford previewed the seventh-generation Mustang at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show on September 14, in a special event called "The Stampede". Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Ford Mustang model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | n/a | 1965–1974 | Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald N. |
| Second generation | n/a | 1974–1979 | Iacocca, who had been one of the forces behind the original Mustang, became president of Ford Motor Company in 1970, and ordered a smaller, more fuel-efficient Mustang for 1974. |
| Third generation | n/a | 1979–1994 | The 1979 Mustang was based on the larger Fox platform, initially developed for the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. |
| Fourth generation | SN95 | 1994–2005 | In November 1993, the Mustang debuted its first major redesign in fifteen years. |
| Fifth generation | S197 | 2005–2015 | Ford introduced a re-designed 2005 model year Mustang at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, codenamed "S197", that was based on the new D2C platform. |
| Sixth generation | S550 | 2015–2024 | The sixth generation Mustang was unveiled on December 5, 2013, in Dearborn, Michigan; New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; Barcelona, Spain; Shanghai, China; and Sydney, Australia. |
| Seventh generation | S650 | 2024–present | Ford previewed the seventh-generation Mustang at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show on September 14, in a special event called "The Stampede". |
The Ford Mustang spent 9.8 years per generation on average. The current one is 2 years old. Treat 2033 to 2035 as a range, not a date.
Source: Ford Mustang (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Ford Mustang model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald N. Frey, was the head engineer for the T-5 project—supervising the overall development of the car in a record 18 months—while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager. The T-5 prototype was a two-seat, mid-mounted engine roadster. This vehicle employed the German Ford Taunus V4 engine.
Iacocca, who had been one of the forces behind the original Mustang, became president of Ford Motor Company in 1970, and ordered a smaller, more fuel-efficient Mustang for 1974. Initially, it was to be based on the Ford Maverick, but ultimately was based on the Ford Pinto subcompact.
The 1979 Mustang was based on the larger Fox platform, initially developed for the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. The larger four passenger body used a larger wheelbase which yielded increased room in the passenger cabin, trunk and engine bay. Body styles included a coupe (or notchback), hatchback, and convertible, the latter added for model year 1983.
In November 1993, the Mustang debuted its first major redesign in fifteen years. Code-named "SN95" by the automaker, it was based on an updated version of the rear-wheel drive Fox platform called "Fox-4." The new styling by Patrick Schiavone incorporated several styling cues from earlier Mustangs. For the first time since its introduction 1964, a notchback coupe model was not available. The door windows on the coupe were once again frameless; however, the car had a fixed "B" pillar and rear windows.
Ford introduced a re-designed 2005 model year Mustang at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, codenamed "S197", that was based on the new D2C platform. Developed under the direction of chief engineer Hau Thai-Tang, a veteran engineer for Ford's IndyCar program under Mario Andretti, and exterior styling designer Sid Ramnarace, the fifth-generation Mustang's styling echoes the fastback Mustang models of the late-1960s. Ford's senior vice president of design, J Mays, called it "retro-futurism". The fifth-generation Mustang was manufactured at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.
The sixth generation Mustang was unveiled on December 5, 2013, in Dearborn, Michigan; New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; Barcelona, Spain; Shanghai, China; and Sydney, Australia. The internal project code name is S550. Changes include a body widened by 1.5 inches and lowered 1.4 inches, a trapezoidal grille, and a 2.75-inch lower decklid, as well as new colors.
Ford previewed the seventh-generation Mustang at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show on September 14, in a special event called "The Stampede". As part of its introduction, multiple track-only models were showcased, such as a NASCAR Cup Series body, a V8 Supercar version, and multiple GT racing versions, among others. Also announced was the addition of the "Dark Horse" series. Bridging the gap between the Mach 1 and now-discontinued GT350, the Dark Horse performs much the same role as the 2012–2013 Boss 302 Mustangs—a street legal car with enhanced performance on road courses.
Generation notes adapted from Ford Mustang (Wikipedia).
Today's Ford Mustang
Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Mustang, most often about exterior lighting (5), unknown or other (4), electrical system (3).