Ask my friends, and they’ll tell you: I’ve never been a big fan of Ford’s pony car. Sure, the classics are great, but the modern interpretations have always left me cold. Whether it’s the styling, the performance, the reliability, or the interior, I’ve left the keys behind saying “good riddance” more times than I can remember.

So, Ford, congratulations. You’ve actually built a Mustang that I would consider parking in my garage.

A few things went into this, and I’ll detail them in a later post. But for now, I just want to say that the 2010 Ford Mustang GT may not have the power of the new Chevy Camaro, or the head-snapping looks of the new Dodge Challenger, but it still stands out from the pack. It’s light on its feet, plenty quick, and thanks to a host of updates and refinements, a car that I’m much more satisfied driving.

So what did Ford do? Basically, change everything I hated about the car. The interior, once so junky that I couldn’t decide whether to ridicule it or feel sorry for the car, is now thoroughly modern and comfortable. Outside, Ford wisely turned down the volume on the retro to an 8, from the previous 11.

The car also just drives better, with a host of refinements that make it pleasurable to drive from, let’s say, Los Angeles to Las Vegas, taking a few side roads along the way. Which is exactly what I just got through doing. The engine didn’t get much more powerful, but the suspension got a going over that’s definitely worthwhile.

Two things that bug me though. First, at first glance it really looks like a Camaro from the front; the horsey really should be chrome. Second, Ford’s Easy Fill capless fuel filler freaks me out a little bit.

One last thing: As you can see, it’s also an excellent burnout machine.

Enough delay. Read the full review, and how it stacks up against an unlikely competitor.