Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Chevrolet Camaro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mustang has standard Pre-Collision Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Camaro offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Mustang’s 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. The Camaro doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Mustang has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Camaro’s blind spot costs extra.

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 Camaro and isn't available on the not available.

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Camaro doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the Camaro 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Mustang is safer than the Chevrolet Camaro:

	Mustang	Camaro
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	161	258
Neck Injury Risk	23%	32%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	212 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	87 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	330/502 lbs.	479/694 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	317
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	23%	34%
Neck Stress	172 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	119 lbs.	129 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	47/13 lbs.	32/84 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Mustang is safer than the Chevrolet Camaro:

	Mustang	Camaro
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	117	233
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	142 lbs.	155 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	651 lbs.	771 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs roof strength tests. In that test the Mustang earned the top rating of “Good” because its roof supported over four times the Mustang’s weight before being crushed five inches. The Camaro was rated lower at “Acceptable.”

Warranty

The Mustang’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Camaro’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Mustang have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Camaro.

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 Camaro doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang (base engine) is faster than the Chevrolet Camaro V6 (manual transmissions tested):

	Mustang	Camaro
Zero to 30 MPH	1.6 sec	1.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13 sec	14.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	99 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	151 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang Mach 1 is faster than the Chevrolet Camaro 2.0 (manual transmissions tested):

	Mustang	Camaro
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	12.6 sec	13.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113.1 MPH	101 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang GT is faster than the Chevrolet Camaro V6 (automatics tested):

	Mustang	Camaro
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	13.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114.5 MPH	102.9 MPH

In a Car and Driver racecourse test, the Ford Mustang GT Fastback was clocked 11.8 seconds faster than the Chevrolet Camaro Coupe (173.8 sec. vs. 185.6 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Mustang Fastback
	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	21 city/29 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)	20 city/27 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	22 city/32 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)	20 city/27 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/23 hwy
Camaro
	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/28 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	14 city/20 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Convertible gets better mileage than the Camaro:

			MPG
Mustang Convertible
	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	20 city/27 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)	19 city/25 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
	Auto	2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	20 city/28 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)	19 city/26 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/23 hwy
Camaro
	Manual	3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	14 city/20 hwy
	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy

Brakes and Stopping

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Camaro LS/LT are solid, not vented.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Camaro:

	Mustang	Camaro
80 to 0 MPH	187 feet	206 feet	Road and Track
70 to 0 MPH	138 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	94 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package/Mach 1) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Camaro; 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 Camaro don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Camaro.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the Camaro RS Coupe pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Camaro LT Coupe (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Camaro’s (36.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Mustang has standard flush composite headlights. The Camaro has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 Camaro 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 Camaro doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mustang GT Fastback is quieter than the Camaro SS Coupe:

	Mustang	Camaro
At idle	45 dB	55 dB
Full-Throttle	88 dB	94 dB

Passenger Space

The Mustang Fastback has 1.2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camaro Coupe.

The Mustang Convertible has 1.2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear headroom than the Camaro Convertible.

Cargo Capacity

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the Camaro Coupe (13.5 vs. 9.1 cubic feet).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Camaro Convertible (11.4 vs. 7.3 cubic feet).

The Mustang Fastback’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Camaro Coupe’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Towing

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Camaro has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

On a hot day the Mustang’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Camaro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Camaro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Mustang’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Camaro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Mustang’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Camaro’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Mustang detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Camaro doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Mustang offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Camaro doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the Camaro because it costs $655 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mustang than the Camaro, including $183 less for a water pump, $106 less for front brake pads, $155 less for a starter, $182 less for fuel injection, $411 less for a fuel pump and $116 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 $2896 to $21613 less than for the Chevrolet Camaro.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2019 issue and the Ford Mustang GT Premium Convertible won out over the Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The Camaro hasn’t been picked since 2018.