The interior features a wrap around cockpit style dash with simulated wood inlay. The radio is located higher than is customary in cars of this time frame and I would assume this is to make operating the radio easier with the drivers eyes never far from the road.  The cars climate control is where most would assume the radio would go. The dash is combination of plastic and padded vinyl that has a tendacy to squeak from the pieces rubbing together On my 93, there are felt pads that are placed into the crevices that help minimizes the squeaks but does not eliminate it The gauges is surrounded by a black plastic hood and helps create the driver's cockpit.  The passenger has a padded vinyl dash that is flatten on the top and houses a rather odd storage compartment that uses a sliding door to hide its contents. The door panels are a combination of plastic, vinyl and cloth. The vinyl is slightly padded and covers the top part of the door and partly down the front near the dash. the bottom part of the door panel is color keyed plastic with built in map pockets at the bottom of the panel with a integral speaker above the map pocket.  In the center of the door panel there is a cloth insert that matches the cloth found on the seats. Under the insert is a padded arm rest that runs the length of the door and also houses the power window switches and the controls for the power mirrors. Other notable interior features are rear shoulder belts, a center high third brake light located on the package tray and a center arm rest on cars with out the fold down seat option (super coupes). All thunderbirds included cut pile carpeting color matched to the cars interior. 

Ford offered electronic instrumentation as an option on standard and LX thunderbirds. This option was not available on the supercoupe.

In 1989, Ford dropped the optional V8 engine for the first time since the thunderbird name debut in 1955. The standard and LX thunderbird were both equipped with the 3.8L essex V6 engine pumping out a meager 140HP. The Supercoupe was equipped with a modified 3.8L engine that was topped with a Eaton roots type positive displacement supercharger. This gave the thunderbird SC a horsepower rating of 210 and 300 ft/lbs of torque. This gave the thunderbird sc V8 power with the fuel economy of V6. There were two transmissions available in 1989; the Ford 4 speed Automatic OverDrive (AOD) and the Mazda made 5-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately for alot of owners the manual transmission was only available in the Supercoupe.

All thunderbirds in 1989 were rear wheel drive contrary to other mid sized cars being produced in the day. Ford could have gone with the tried and true live axle that was installed in every thunderbird since 1955, but the "new" thunderbird would be equipped with independent rear suspension (IRS) to strengthen handling and increase ride comfort. The Supercoupe was also equipped with a computer control automatic shocks that could go from firm to soft automatically depending on the driver's driving style and road condition. The driver also had the option to select firm manually should the need arise. All thunderbird Supercoupes were equipped with a 8.8 traction-lok rear differential to all that power reached the pavement.

The thunderbird could be ordered with ABS 4-wheel disc brakes on the standard and LX trim levels and came standard with the Supercoupe.