Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

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 BRZ doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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. Only the BRZ Limited offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the BRZ Limited has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Mustang and the BRZ 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 and available rear parking sensors.

The Ford Mustang weighs 610 to 1117 pounds more than the Subaru BRZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

There are almost 5 times as many Ford dealers as there are Subaru 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 BRZ 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’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The Mustang’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (310 vs. 228) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang’s optional 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 102 more horsepower (330 vs. 228) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 222 more horsepower (450 vs. 228) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 242 more horsepower (470 vs. 228) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang is faster than the Subaru BRZ (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang (base engine) is faster than the Subaru BRZ (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver racecourse test, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 was clocked 21 seconds faster than the Subaru BRZ Limited (171.4 sec. vs. 192.4 sec.).

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

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

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (15.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (16 vs. 13.2 gallons).

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 BRZ 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 six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Mustang’s brake rotors are larger than those on the BRZ:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the BRZ:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the BRZ (235/55R17 vs. 215/45R17). The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 215/45R17).

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 BRZ Limited’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The BRZ’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 BRZ; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Mustang has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Mustang has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the BRZ (107.1 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 4.1 inches wider in the rear than on the BRZ.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the BRZ Premium pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the BRZ (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.8 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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Mustang GT Fastback is quieter than the BRZ Limited (88 vs. 89 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Mustang Fastback a Subcompact car, while the BRZ is rated a Minicompact.

The Mustang Fastback has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (82.8 vs. 77.2).

The Mustang Fastback has .6 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the BRZ.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the BRZ (13.5 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

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

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Mustang. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

When three different drivers share the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, and power steering assist and outside mirror angle. The BRZ doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The BRZ doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 BRZ does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Mustang’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the BRZ 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 BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang has standard extendable sun visors. The BRZ doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The BRZ doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mustang’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Subaru BRZ isn’t available as a convertible.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Subaru BRZ by over two to one during the 2022 model year.