Compare the2022 Ford MustangVS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe

The Mustang’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG C-Class Coupe.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the AMG C-Class Coupe.

Both the Mustang and the AMG C-Class Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available rear parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 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 Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The AMG C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback gets better mileage than the AMG C-Class Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG C-Class Coupe requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang 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.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the AMG C-Class Coupe.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the AMG C-Class Coupe:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the AMG C-Class Coupe (235/55R17 vs. 225/45R18). The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG C-Class Coupe (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:255/40R18 & R:285/35R18).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional 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 63 S Coupe’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The AMG C-Class Coupe’s largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG C-Class Coupe; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG C-Class Coupe don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG C-Class Coupe.

The Mustang GT Fastback 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.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the AMG C 63 Coupe’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 500 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The AMG C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The AMG C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

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

The Mustang’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.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Mustang owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mustang will cost $6615 less than the AMG C-Class Coupe over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the AMG C-Class Coupe because it costs $691 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mustang than the AMG C-Class Coupe, including $424 less for a water pump, $15 less for a muffler, $367 less for a starter, $146 less for fuel injection, $645 less for a fuel pump and $257 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $22513 to $37802 less than for the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupe.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The AMG C-Class Coupe has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Mercedes C-Class by 57% during the 2021 model year.