Dodge Challenger Vs Ford Mustang
Are you shopping around for a new muscle car? We’ve got the ultimate showdown of muscle cars for you here: Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang. On the outside, they look the same and they promise unmatched power. Discover all the details that differentiate these two muscle cars in this comprehensive guide, so you can pick the one that’s right for your needs.
Key Takeaways
• The Dodge Challenger styling features the traditional widebody style that most Dodge cars have while the Ford Mustang offers a fastback style and some convertible ones.
• While only by a slim advantage, the Ford Mustang offers better MPG ratings than the Dodge Challenger.
• The engine options are diverse for the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang, but the Challenge engines offer more horsepower and torque.
• Both Challenger and Mustang offers various options for styling and some customizations, too.
• In terms of the base price, the Dodge Challenger is cheaper than the Ford Mustang. However, for the most high-end model, the Ford Mustang is the most expensive.
Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang: Comparison
The best way to compare these muscle cars is to look at every aspect and breaking down their individual features. It helps you pick the right muscle car according to your preference, whether its fuel economy, power, interior, and more.
Engine Options
Since we’re comparing muscle cars, it’s best we start with the engine. It gives you an idea on the car’s power and performance. The engine and horsepower vary depending on the specific Challenger and Mustang models.
The Dodge Challenger SXT offers the most horsepower with its 3.6L V6 engine capable of producing 303 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost is equipped with a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The V6 engine from the Challenger is capable of achieving optimum power using regular fuel while the Mustang engine requires premium fuel to achieve maximum power output.
The other engine options for the Dodge Challenger are the 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine (375 hp and 410-lb ft of torque), and the 6.4L HEMI V8 engine (485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque) on the R/T Scat Pack. On the other hand, the Ford Mustang GT is equipped with a 5L V8 engine (450 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque), or the 5.2L supercharged V8 engine (710 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque).
The most powerful engine on the Dodge Challenger’s Hellcat model hood is the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 engine that produces up to 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque. It easily leaves any Ford Mustang behind in dust.
Styling
Style is a subjective matter but it’s good to point them out so you have an idea what fits your preferred style when buying muscle cars.
The Ford Mustang is available mostly in the fastback style, particularly in the EcoBoost, Premium GT, Mach 1, and Mach 1 Premium models. You can also find convertible Mustangs. With this muscle car, you have over 10 wheel choices, up to 11 bold color options, and various packages, each one offering different styles and appearance. It’s up to you to pick a Ford Mustang that matches your style or driving personality. You can even go over the top by adding accessories, such as spoilers or racing stripes.
The Dodge Challenger has a few variations with various opportunities for customization. However, only the GT and SXT trims offer the AWD configurations. For the Hellcat, you can expect the classic Dodge widebody styling. The rest of the Challenger trims give you the option to equip your ride with retro colors, badge designs on the calipers, wheels, and floor mats. Unfortunately, Dodge has previously announced that 2023 will be the final year that they will produce the Challenger. Expect to see a rise in demand for the Challenger as the Dodge icon will soon retire and become a legend in the muscle car industry.
Interior & Comfort
Now that you know how much power that the Challenger and Mustang delivers, the next consideration is the interior. How does it feel to sit inside either of these muscle cars?
With the Dodge Challenger, you can enjoy the standard eight-way power seat. There are standard features shared between the two cars, such as the auto-dimming rearview mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and cloth seat upholstery. However, Challenger gets an upper hand over the Ford Mustang because it offers a two-way power lumbar support.
Newer Dodge models also feature heated and ventilated front seats, Napa-leather trimmed performance seats, adaptive cruise control, etc. The Mustang, on the other hand, features a six-speaker sound system and manual single-zone climate control.
While the Ford Mustang attempts to pack as much features and comfort into its interior, the Challenger still offers better value of the two.
Safety and Driving Features
The Dodge Challenger is integrated with various safety and driving assistance features to ensure easy handling and reliability on any driving conditions. A few examples of technologies built into the muscle car for better efficiency include Hill Start Assist, All-Speed Traction Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, and Electronic Stability Control.
The Ford Mustang also offers an equally impressive array of driving and safety technologies, such as Pre-Collision Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Keeping System, and more.
Fuel Economy
If gas mileage is important to you, lucky for you because we’re looking at the Dodge Challenger MPG vs that of Ford Mustang to determine how much mileage you can get per tank. Ford Mustang offers the better mileage of the two.
The Ford Mustang offers 21 MPG in the city or 32 MPG on the highway. On the other hand, the Dodge Challenger MPG is slightly lower in the city at 19 MPG. It also offers up to 30 MPG on the highway.
In comparison to cars used for daily driving, these MPG ratings could be considered on the lower end. But since they are packed with exceptional power and speed, the fuel economy rating is impressive for both the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang.
Price
Now let’s get to the price – this is really where this Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang comparison comes down to.
The 2022 Dodge Challenger SXT comes with a base price of $30,825 MSRP. On the other hand, Ford Mustang EcoBoost FastBack has a lower starting price of $27,470 MSRP.
At the highest end of the Challenger lineup is the SRT Hellcat Redeye, with a price of $78,225. The most high-end Ford Mustang model is the Shelby GT500, priced at $79,420.
Verdict: Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang
So, who is the winner in the battle of Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang? The answer is it depends on your needs, budget, and preferences. Both muscle cars excel in their category and are among the most popular options in the market, for good reasons. Weigh the pros and cons of each based on the different elements discussed here so you can make an objective decision when choosing between these two cars so you can drive the car you want!
FAQs
Is a Challenger better than a Mustang?
It depends on which specific model you are comparing it against. The base Challenger provides more horsepower but the Mustang can also deliver power, especially for the higher-end trims.
Which is faster, Mustang or Challenger?
In terms of acceleration, the Ford Mustang GT offers the best performance at an acceleration rate of 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The fastest Challenger, the R/T trim, can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
Who sells more Mustang or Challenger?
In 2023, the Ford Mustang is the best-selling muscle car in the US. It has outdone the Dodge Challenger, which previously held that title.
