Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Chevrolet Corvette

The Ford Mustang has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Corvette doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Corvette doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 Corvette 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 Corvette’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 Corvette.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the Corvette have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 Mustang’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Corvette’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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 Corvette.

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

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

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

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

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Corvette.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Corvette:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corvette (305/30R19 vs. 275/30R20).

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 Corvette; 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 Corvette don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.6% to 45.4%) than the Corvette’s (40% to 60%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the Corvette Coupe pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Premium Convertible handles at .98 G’s, while the Corvette Convertible pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Mustang has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Corvette can only carry 2.

The Mustang Fastback has 31.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corvette (82.8 vs. 51).

The Mustang Fastback has 2.3 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Corvette Coupe.

The Mustang Fastback has a larger trunk than the Corvette Coupe (13.5 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

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

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 Corvette’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Corvette 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 Corvette doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Insurance will cost less for the Mustang owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Mustang with a number “3” insurance rate while the Corvette is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the Corvette because it costs $682 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mustang than the Corvette, including $45 less for a water pump, $477 less for a muffler, $145 less for front brake pads, $187 less for a starter, $326 less for fuel injection, $436 less for a fuel pump, $66 less for front struts and $490 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $10604 to $26536 less than for the Chevrolet Corvette.