Compare the2024 Ford MustangVS 2023 Dodge Challenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Mustang have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Dodge Challenger doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Mustang are reminded to check the back seat. The Challenger doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 Challenger 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 Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Mustang has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Challenger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 Challenger 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 Challenger’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang has standard Cross Traffic Alert and Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Dodge charges extra for Rear Cross Path Detection on the Challenger and the Challenger’s Rear Cross Path Detection does not include automatic braking.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ford Mustang Fastback is safer than the Challenger:

	Mustang	Challenger
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	5 cm	8 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	25 cm	26 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	0%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.74/.66	1.46/1.01

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs roof strength tests. In that test the Mustang earned the top rating of “Good” because its roof supported over four times the Mustang’s weight before being crushed five inches. The Challenger was rated lower at “Acceptable.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with “good” or “acceptable” geometry. In these ratings, the Mustang is safer than the Challenger:

	Mustang	Challenger
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Restraint Design	GOOD	GOOD
Distance from Back of Head	18 mm	61 mm
Distance Below Top of Head	26 mm	28 mm
Dynamic Test Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Seat Design	Pass	Fail
Neck Force Rating	Low	Low
Max Neck Shearing Force	73	83

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

Warranty

There are over 20 percent more Ford dealers than there are Dodge dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Challenger.

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

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8 (manual transmissions tested):

	Mustang	Challenger
Zero to 30 MPH	1.7 sec	1.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	4.4 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	6.6 sec	6.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	9.5 sec	10.2 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	12.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114 MPH	113 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Dodge Challenger V6 (automatics tested):

	Mustang	Challenger
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	95 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Mustang Fastback
RWD	Manual	GT 5.0 V8	14 city/23 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/33 hwy
		Performance 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		w/Start/Stop 5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
Challenger
RWD	Manual	6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/30 hwy
		6.4 OHV V8	15 city/24 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	16 city/25 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang EcoBoost/GT (late availability)’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 Challenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Challenger R/T manual requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Mustang higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 5). This means the Mustang produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard brakes have 5% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Challenger R/T/GT (538.7 vs. 513 square inches), so the Mustang has more braking power available. The Mustang Dark Horse’s brakes have 56% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Challenger Hellcat/Redeye (800.5 vs. 513 square inches), so the Mustang Dark Horse has more braking power available.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Challenger:

	Mustang	Challenger
70 to 0 MPH	141 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	87 feet	109 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Mustang Dark Horse’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 Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.07 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang Dark Horse executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Challenger SXT/GT/R/T’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s (37.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The Mustang is 8.1 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the Mustang easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Mustang has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mustang GT Premium Fastback is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:

	Mustang	Challenger
At idle	50 dB	59 dB
70 MPH Cruising	72 dB	76 dB

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Mustang easier. The Mustang’s trunk lift-over height is 30.2 inches, while the Challenger’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

Ergonomics

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit 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 Challenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Mustang’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

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 Challenger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Mustang’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Challenger’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Mustang’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Challenger’s optional 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.

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

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2023 issue and the Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback won out over the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Dodge Challenger by 8% during 2023.