Compare the2024 Ford MustangVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

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 Subaru BRZ doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 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 BRZ 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 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 standard Cross Traffic Alert and Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the BRZ Limited offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the BRZ’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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

The Ford Mustang weighs 707 to 1213 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 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 EcoBoost’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 87 more horsepower (315 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 252 more horsepower (480 vs. 228) and 231 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 258 more horsepower (486 vs. 228) and 234 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mustang Dark Horse’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 272 more horsepower (500 vs. 228) and 234 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Subaru BRZ (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Base EcoBoost gets better fuel mileage than the BRZ 6-speed Auto (22 city/33 hwy vs. 21 city/30 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang EcoBoost’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 BRZ 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 BRZ requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang V8’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.

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 Subaru BRZ (3). This means the Mustang produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the BRZ every 15,000 miles.

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

A 10-speed automatic is standard 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 shorter than the BRZ:

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

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 BRZ Limited’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 19-inch wheels. The BRZ’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire 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 5.6 inches longer than on the BRZ (107 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the BRZ.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.06 G’s, while the BRZ pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mustang Dark Horse executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the BRZ (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

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.

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 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 Coupe’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 (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Mustang. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The BRZ has no towing capacity.

The Mustang uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The BRZ 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.

When three different drivers share the Mustang, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The BRZ doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 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.

The Mustang’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The BRZ 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 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium 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/Dark Horse’s standard 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.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 14 to one during 2022.