Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2023 Ford Mustang

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Corvette’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Mustang doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Corvette and the Mustang 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, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The Corvette’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Mustang’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corvette’s reliability 18 points higher than the Mustang.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Mustang isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

Engine

The Corvette has more powerful engines than the Mustang:

	Horsepower	Torque
Corvette 6.2 V8	490 HP	465 lbs.-ft.
Corvette Z51 6.2 V8	495 HP	470 lbs.-ft.
Corvette Z06 5.5 DOHC V8	670 HP	460 lbs.-ft.
Mustang 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Mustang 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	330 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8	450 HP	410 lbs.-ft.
Mustang Mach 1 5.0 DOHC V8	470 HP	410 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 is faster than the Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8 (automatics tested):

	Corvette	Mustang
Zero to 60 MPH	2.8 sec	4.2 sec
Quarter Mile	11.1 sec	12.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	123.2 MPH	114.5 MPH

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe was clocked 15.4 seconds faster than the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback (169 sec. vs. 184.4 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Corvette
	Auto	6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		Z51 6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
Mustang Fastback
	Manual	GT 5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Mach 1 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	GT 5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Mach 1 5.0 V8	15 city/23 hwy

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

			MPG
Corvette
	Auto	6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		Z51 6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
Mustang Convertible
	Manual	5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Mach 1 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	GT 5.0 V8	15 city/23 hwy
		Mach 1 5.0 V8	15 city/23 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette (except Z06)’s fuel efficiency. The Mustang doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Corvette has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Corvette has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16 gallons).

Transmission

The Chevrolet Corvette comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Mustang.

The Corvette offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Mustang doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corvette Z06 CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mustang:

	Corvette Z06 CCB	Mustang	Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	12.6 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	15.4 inches	12.6 inches	12.6 inches

The Corvette Z06 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 Mustang doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Corvette stops much shorter than the Mustang:

	Corvette	Mustang
70 to 0 MPH	139 feet	165 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	95 feet	111 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corvette has larger standard tires than the Mustang (F:245/35R19 & R:305/30R20 vs. 235/55R17).

The Corvette’s standard 245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires. The Corvette Z06’s 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 25 series profile than the Mustang Mach 1’s optional 30 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang. The Corvette Z06’s 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Mustang.

The Corvette has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Mustang doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Mustang doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 3.2 inches wider in the front than the track on the Mustang.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe handles at 1.16 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Fastback pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Convertible handles at 1.10 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Convertible pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback (21.9 seconds @ .99 average G’s vs. 25.1 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Convertible executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Mustang GT Premium Convertible (22.7 seconds @ .93 average G’s vs. 24.3 seconds @ .82 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (36.4 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The Corvette’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Mustang w/20” tires’ (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

Chassis

The Corvette is 6.2 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Mustang doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Corvette Coupe is quieter than the Mustang Mach 1 (47 vs. 52 dB).

Cargo Capacity

The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Mustang Convertible (12.6 vs. 11.4 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

The Corvette uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mustang uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Corvette has a standard under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The Mustang doesn’t offer an under hood light.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the Corvette offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Corvette offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Mustang doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Corvette’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Mustang has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

On a hot day the Corvette has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The Mustang doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to enter the car, turn the ignition on and lower the top.

The Corvette 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 Mustang doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Corvette’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Mach 1.

When the Corvette with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Mustang’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Corvette’s optional 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 Mustang has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Corvette has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Mustang.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Corvette offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mustang doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $285 less than the Mustang over a five-year period.

The Corvette will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corvette will retain 59.95% to 61.21% of its original price after five years, while the Mustang only retains 47.24% to 58.69%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corvette is less expensive to operate than the Mustang because typical repairs cost less on the Corvette than the Mustang, including $63 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Corvette, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette second among compact premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Mustang isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Corvette was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 18 more times in the last 26 years. The Mustang GT/Bullitt hasn’t been picked since 2019, and the Mustang GT/Bullitt has only been chosen once.

Motor Trend selected the Corvette as their 2020 Car of the Year. The Mustang has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The Mustang has never been chosen.