SN95 Mustang: 1994–2004 Guide
The SN95 Mustang is the fourth-generation Ford Mustang, sold for the 1994 to 2004 model years. It swapped the Fox body's boxy lines for curves, moved to the 4.6-liter Modular V8 in 1996 and got the sharp New Edge look in 1999. Here's what changed, what to look for and how it rated for safety.
SN95 Mustang at a Glance
Model years 1994–2004 Eleven model years
Platform Updated Fox Often called Fox-4
Restyle 1999 The New Edge look
V8 switch 1996 5.0 pushrod to 4.6 Modular
Power range 145–390 hp 3.8 V6 to 2003 Cobra
Body styles Coupe, convertible No hatchback this time
What Made the SN95 Mustang Different
The SN95 Mustang was the first major redesign in about 15 years. It still rode on an updated version of the Fox platform, but the body, the cabin and the styling were all new, with nods to the 60s cars like side scoops and three-bar taillights.
The hatchback went away, so you could only buy a coupe or a convertible. Meanwhile, the old 5.0 pushrod V8 hung on for 1994 and 1995 before the 4.6-liter Modular V8 took over.
Then 1999 brought the New Edge restyle, with sharper creases and better cylinder heads. As a result, the GT jumped to 260 hp, and that's why most fans prefer the 1999 to 2004 cars.
- 260 hp1999+ GT
- 390 hp2003 Cobra
- 11Model years
- 2Body styles
What we like
- Light, simple and cheap to run
- Huge parts and tuning support
- New Edge cars look sharp today
What to watch
- Early V6 cars are slow
- Weak factory clutch parts
- Interiors show their age
SN95 Mustang Engines and Power
The SN95 Mustang covered the end of the pushrod 5.0 and the start of the Modular V8 era. However, the V6 stayed a modest 3.8-liter all the way through.
| Engine | Years | Found in | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L V6 | 1994–1998 | Base | 145–150 hp |
| 3.8L V6 | 1999–2004 | Base | 190–193 hp |
| 5.0L pushrod V8 | 1994–1995 | GT | 215 hp / 285 lb-ft |
| 4.6L 2-valve V8 | 1996–1998 | GT | 215–225 hp |
| 4.6L 2-valve V8 | 1999–2004 | GT | 260 hp |
| 4.6L 2-valve V8 (Bullitt) | 2001 | Bullitt | 270 hp / 305 lb-ft |
| 4.6L 4-valve V8 | 1996–2001 | SVT Cobra | 305–320 hp |
| 4.6L 4-valve V8 | 2003–2004 | Mach 1 | 305 hp / 320 lb-ft |
| 4.6L supercharged V8 | 2003–2004 | SVT Cobra | 390 hp / 390 lb-ft |
One big restyle in 1999
SN95 Mustang Changes by Model Year
Ford kept improving the SN95 Mustang in small steps, while the 1996 engine switch and the 1999 New Edge restyle were the big moments.
- 1994 Launch year, with new styling, a 3.8 V6 and the 5.0 V8 in the GT and SVT Cobra.
- 1995 Ford builds 250 Cobra R race-ready cars with a 5.8-liter V8.
- 1996 The GT switches to the 4.6-liter Modular V8, while the Cobra gets a 305-hp four-valve version.
- 1998 The GT rises to 225 hp.
- 1999 New Edge restyle. The GT jumps to 260 hp, and the Cobra gets independent rear suspension.
- 2000 No regular Cobra this year, although a 385-hp 5.4-liter Cobra R is built in small numbers.
- 2001 The Cobra returns, and the Bullitt edition arrives.
- 2003 The Mach 1 is back, and the supercharged 390-hp SVT Cobra arrives.
- 2004 Final year, with a 40th Anniversary edition.
Our verdict: for most buyers, a 1999 to 2004 GT is the sweet spot. It has the better heads, 260 hp and the New Edge styling.
SN95 Mustang Special Models
The SN95 Mustang's late years produced three of the most wanted modern Mustangs.
2003–2004
SVT Cobra
390 hp Supercharged V8 IRS
Fans call it the Terminator. Its supercharged four-valve 4.6 and independent rear suspension made it the quickest SN95 by far.
2001
Bullitt
270 hp 4.6 V8 Manual only
The first modern Bullitt tribute, with a lowered stance, retro wheels and Highland Green paint.
2003–2004
Mach 1
305 hp 4-valve V8 Shaker scoop
The Mach 1 name came back with a four-valve V8 and a working shaker hood scoop, inspired by the 1969 original.
SN95 Mustang Recalls
Most SN95 Mustang recall campaigns are decades old now, so open recalls are rare. The famous one is the 1999 SVT Cobra, which didn't make its advertised 320 hp, so Ford halted sales and fixed the cars. It's still worth running the VIN, since some old campaigns were never completed.
| Model years | Campaign | What's affected |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Ford program | SVT Cobra power shortfall. Ford stopped Cobra sales and repaired cars so they made their rated output. |
SN95 Mustang Safety Ratings by Region
The SN95 Mustang comes from the early days of crash testing, so there's much less data than for newer cars, and the old scores don't compare with today's.
| Region | Program | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | NHTSA | 5 / 4 / 3 / 3 | The 1998 coupe got 5 stars for the front driver, 4 for the front passenger and 3 stars for both side tests, under the old system. |
| United States | IIHS | Not tested | IIHS has no published crash ratings for this generation. |
| Canada | NHTSA | As above | Canada doesn't run its own crash-star program. |
| Europe, Australia | Euro NCAP, ANCAP | Not rated | This generation was never tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP. |
Buying a Used SN95 Mustang
Ford built huge numbers of SN95 Mustangs, so you can afford to be picky. Buy the best one you can find, and have a Mustang-savvy mechanic look it over.
- Heater core. Leaks are common and expensive, because the dash has to come out to replace it.
- Clutch and shifter. The factory clutch parts were weak, so many manual cars need a better shifter and clutch hardware.
- Worn suspension. Expect tired bushings, springs and shocks, especially on cars that sat for years.
- Modified V8s. Lots of GTs have been tuned. A clean V6 car can be the better starting point for a project.
Our picks
- Best overall: 1999–2004 GT
- Best collectible: 2003–2004 Cobra
- Best project base: a clean V6
Think twice
- Cars with damp carpets or a sweet smell inside
- Heavily modified cars with no receipts
- Fake Cobra or Mach 1 badges
Other Mustang Generations
The SN95 sits between the Fox body and the S197. Jump to the one before or after it, or see all seven.
SN95 Mustang FAQ
What years are the SN95 Mustang?
The SN95 Mustang covers the 1994 through 2004 model years. The 1999 to 2004 cars are often called New Edge because of their sharper restyle.
Is the SN95 a Fox body?
Not quite. It rides on an updated version of the Fox platform, sometimes called Fox-4, but the body and interior are all new.
When did the Mustang GT switch from the 5.0 to the 4.6?
The GT used the 5.0 pushrod V8 in 1994 and 1995, then switched to the 4.6-liter Modular V8 for 1996.
What is a Terminator Cobra?
It's the nickname for the 2003 and 2004 SVT Cobra, which had a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 rated at 390 hp and independent rear suspension.
What's the best SN95 Mustang to buy?
For most people, a 1999 to 2004 GT. It has 260 hp and the New Edge look, and parts are cheap and easy to find.
How safe is the SN95 Mustang?
It predates most modern crash tests. NHTSA gave the 1998 coupe 5 stars for the driver in a frontal crash, but only 3 stars in side crashes.
Sources
Keep Exploring
See every Mustang generation side by side, or head back to the full Ford lineup.
Photo credits
- Header image: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra convertible at…: Jiří Sedláček, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt coupe in Highland…: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 coupe in…: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.