Compare the2022 Ford MustangVS 2021 Mercedes 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 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 C-Class Coupe.

Both the Mustang and the 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 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 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 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.

The Mustang’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (310 vs. 255) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the C-Class Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang’s optional 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 75 more horsepower (330 vs. 255) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the C-Class Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 195 more horsepower (450 vs. 255) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (420 vs. 273) than the C-Class Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 215 more horsepower (470 vs. 255) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 273) than the C-Class Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 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 C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

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 C-Class Coupe.

The Mustang Manual’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Coupe:

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

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

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 C-Class Coupe’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

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

The Mustang offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is .7 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the C-Class Coupe.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the C 300 pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the C 300 4MATIC (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

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 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 C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 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 C-Class Coupe.

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

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The C-Class Coupe has no towing capacity.

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 C-Class Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mustang will retain 47.43% to 58.93% of its original price after five years, while the C-Class Coupe only retains 43.69% to 44.32%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the 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 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.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The 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.