Ready to look amazing as you drive off the lot? Then we have a car suggestion for you. The Ford Mustang is going to be a great choice for cool, casual drivers and thrill-seekers alike. But what about its competitor, the Dodge Challenger? Our comparison guide puts the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger to the test and shows you why the Mustang always comes speeding in first.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Challenger is officially ending its production; the Mustang is here to stay.
- Buyers of a Mustang won't see the higher prices of a Challenger thanks to its manual transmission.
- More seating capacity in the Challenger with five seats compared to the Mustang’s four.
- Mustang has better fuel efficiency and offers a stronger standard engine.
POWER: THE MUSTANG RACES AHEAD
If it's the power you need behind the wheel, the Mustang prices are reliable year after year. When comparing the two standard engines of the Mustang and the Challenger you'll find a 2.3 liter Ecoboost I-4 with 310 horsepower under the hood of the Mustang. This rear-wheel drive system comes with 350 ft-lbs of torque and a 6-speed manual transmission. For the Challenger, there's a 3.6 liter V6 engine with 303 horsepower with 268 ft-lb of torque and an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Naturally, you're going to feel more in control with the Mustang’s manual transmission. The acceleration and kick that shifts into gear, paired with the Mustang's roar gives the most satisfying feeling while in the driver's seat. Not to mention you're saving money by going with the stick shift. Keep in mind though that the Mustang's iconic engine, maybe a noise disturbance in some areas so be mindful of that in your decision-making.
THE PRICE DIFFERENCE
The Mustang is going to be the more affordable option. The automatic transmission for the Challenger is what most drivers are used to when getting behind the wheel, but it comes with a price. Starting prices for a Challenger are $31,000 with the average being paid around $35,90 while starting prices for the Mustang are around $27,000 with the average being paid around $31,900.
DEFINING FEATURES: A LITTLE MORE WITH THE MUSTANG
Both of these muscle cars are going to come packed with all the best features 2023 has to offer, so you can not only ride in style but feel comfortable and safe doing so. Both the Challenger and the Mustang offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so changing music can be hands-free while on the road. Both of these cars have nearly identical safety features like backup cameras, auto headlights, illuminated vanity mirrors, and power door locks. The Mustang has the edge in cargo space, but not so much with the back passenger space. Almost iconic as the Mustang itself, most passengers' heads in the back will be pretty close to the ceiling. What the Mustang does have over the Challenger is some standard features that are otherwise optional such as rain-sensing wipers with variable speed wipers, and standard power mirrors.
WE HAVE YOUR NEXT SPORTS COUPE READY
We're sad to see the rumors are true and watch Dodge leave the muscle car market, it has been a strong competitor when competing with the Mustang over the years, and we're excited to see what Dodge has next in store. But there's just more room on the road for the Mustang - a powerhouse of a car that's going to make a statement anywhere you go. For this year, the Mustang is going to be the better choice - especially if you're already accustomed to driving a stick shift. Give us a call today to schedule a test drive and see for yourself the power that is the Ford Mustang. For any other questions, give us a call and we can help you with anything from estimates to financing.