Compare the2023 Subaru BRZVS 2022 Ford Mustang

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Mustang doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The BRZ Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Mustang doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 14 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the BRZ lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Mustang doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the BRZ gets better mileage than the Mustang Fastback:

The BRZ stops much shorter than the Mustang:

The BRZ Premium’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires.

The BRZ Limited handles at .99 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Fastback pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the BRZ’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The BRZ’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the Mustang w/20” tires’ (35.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Subaru BRZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1050 pounds less than the Ford Mustang.

The BRZ is 1 foot, 8.6 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the BRZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The BRZ is 5.5 inches narrower than the Mustang, making the BRZ easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the BRZ Limited is quieter than the Mustang Mach 1:

The BRZ’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Ford does not offer a locking feature on the Mustang’s standard power windows.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the BRZ’s exterior PIN entry system. The Mustang doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The BRZ has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Mustang doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the BRZ Limited has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The BRZ has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Mustang doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The BRZ has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Mustang.

The BRZ was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The Mustang GT/Bullitt hasn’t been picked since 2019.