Compare the2023 Porsche 911VS 2022 Ford Shelby GT500

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The 911 (except GT3) has standard Warn and Brake 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 Shelby GT500 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The 911 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 911’s optional 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 911 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Shelby GT500 only offers a rear monitor.

Both the 911 and the Shelby GT500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The 911 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Shelby GT500’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 911’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Shelby GT500’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 911 is faster than the Ford Shelby GT500 (automatics tested):

	911	911 S	Shelby GT500
Zero to 60 MPH	3.4 sec	2.8 sec	3.6 sec

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 GT3 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the Ford Shelby GT500 (base engine) (automatics tested):

	911	Shelby GT500
Zero to 60 MPH	2.7 sec	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	10.8 sec	11.5 sec

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the Shelby GT500:

			MPG
911 Coupe
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		Sport Classic 3.8 turbo flat-6	15 city/21 hwy
		4.0 DOHC flat-6	14 city/18 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/25 hwy
	Auto	S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/23 hwy
		GTS/Dakar 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		4.0 DOHC flat-6	15 city/18 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
AWD	Manual	GTS/Dakar 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/25 hwy
	Auto	S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		Turbo S 3.7 turbo flat-6	15 city/20 hwy
		Turbo 3.7 turbo flat-6	15 city/20 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
Shelby GT500
	Auto	5.2 supercharged V8	12 city/18 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 911’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 911’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Shelby GT500 (16.9 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 911’s optional fuel tank has 7.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Shelby GT500 (23.7 vs. 16 gallons).

Transmission and Drivetrain

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche 911, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Shelby GT500.

All wheel drive, available in the 911, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Ford Shelby GT500 is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

The 911 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 911 stops shorter than the Shelby GT500:

	911	Shelby GT500
70 to 0 MPH	133 feet	142 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	93 feet	100 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 offers optional 21-inch rear wheels. The Shelby GT500’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The 911 (except Base/GT3) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.15 G’s, while the Shelby GT500 pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 911 GT3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Shelby GT500 (22.3 seconds @ .95 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 9.7 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500’s (34.1 feet vs. 43.8 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 7.3 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500 Track Package’s (36.8 feet vs. 44.1 feet).

Chassis

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 950 pounds less than the Ford Shelby GT500.

The 911 is 11.6 inches shorter than the Shelby GT500, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 911 Manual (except PDK) has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Shelby GT500 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the 911 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

The 911’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 911 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The 911’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 Shelby GT500’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The 911’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Shelby GT500’s 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 available for the 911 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 911 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 911’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Shelby GT500.

When the 911 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Shelby GT500’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 911’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Shelby GT500 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the 911’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 911 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 911 (except Manual) 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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Porsche 911 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Ford Shelby GT500 isn’t available as a convertible.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Shelby GT500 isn’t in the top three.