Compare the2022 Ford Shelby GT500VS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe

Both the Shelby GT500 and the AMG C-Class Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Shelby GT500 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG C-Class Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG C-Class Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Shelby GT500’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 375 more horsepower (760 vs. 385) and 241 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 384) than the AMG C 43 Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 291 more horsepower (760 vs. 469) and 146 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 479) than the AMG C 63 Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 257 more horsepower (760 vs. 503) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 516) than the AMG C 63 S Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

The Shelby GT500 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The AMG C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Shelby GT500’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG C-Class Coupe:

The Shelby GT500 stops shorter than the AMG C-Class Coupe:

For better traction, the Shelby GT500 has larger tires than the AMG C-Class Coupe (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:245/40R18). The Shelby GT500’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG C-Class Coupe (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. F:255/40R18 & R:285/35R18).

The Shelby GT500’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG C 43 Coupe’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The Shelby GT500’s tires are lower profile than the AMG C 63 S Coupe’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Shelby GT500 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG C 63 Coupe. The AMG C-Class Coupe’s largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Shelby GT500 is 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG C-Class Coupe.

The Shelby GT500 handles at 1.13 G’s, while the AMG C 63 S Coupe pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Shelby GT500 has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG C-Class Coupe (82.8 vs. 79.3).

The Shelby GT500 has 3.1 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG C-Class Coupe.

The Shelby GT500 has a much larger trunk than the AMG C-Class Coupe (13.5 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

The Shelby GT500’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The AMG C-Class Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Shelby GT500 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Shelby GT500 will retain 63.08% of its original price after five years, while the AMG C-Class Coupe only retains 48.02% to 53.14%.