Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Toyota Supra

To maximize occupant safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Mustang have pretensioners to eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota Supra doesn’t offer pretensioners.

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 Supra’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 Supra.

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

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota 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 Supra 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the Supra:

In a Car and Driver racecourse test, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback was clocked 4.6 seconds faster than the Toyota Supra 2.0 (184.4 sec. vs. 189 sec.).

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

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

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Supra (15.5 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Supra (16 vs. 13.7 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 Supra 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 an eight-speed automatic is available for the Supra.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Supra:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Supra:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Supra (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

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 Supra 3.0’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Supra’s largest wheels are only 19-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 Supra; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 9.9 inches longer than on the Supra (107.1 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Supra.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the Supra 3.0 Premium pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Supra 3.0 (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .83 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 Supra 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 Supra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Mustang GT Fastback is quieter than the Supra 2.0 (45 vs. 46 dB).

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

The Mustang Fastback has 31.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Supra (82.8 vs. 50.9).

The Mustang Fastback has 2.9 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Supra.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the Supra (13.5 vs. 10.2 cubic feet).

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 Supra 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 Supra does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Intelligent Access standard on the Mustang allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Toyota Supra’s Smart Key System doesn’t unlock the trunk.

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 Supra doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mustang’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The Supra’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

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 Supra 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 Supra doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its July 2022 issue and the Ford Mustang Mach 1 won out over the Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Toyota Supra by 81% during the 2022 model year.