Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2024 Lotus Emira

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 Emira 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 Emira doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 Emira 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 Emira doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang’s standard Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Emira doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

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 Emira doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Mustang has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Emira doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Mustang and the Emira 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 and rear parking sensors.

The Mustang comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. Ford will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Lotus covers the Emira. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Emira ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

There are over 76 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lotus 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 Emira doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the Emira:

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang is faster than the Lotus Emira supercharged V6 (manual transmissions tested):

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang (except Dark Horse)’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 Emira 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 Emira requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (16 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Mustang offers an optional up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The Emira doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the Mustang Dark Horse’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Emira:

The Mustang stops shorter than the Emira:

For better traction, the Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Emira (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20).

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 Emira’s 35 series front tires.

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 Emira’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 Emira 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 Emira (107 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Emira’s (37.9% to 62.1%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.07 G’s, while the Emira pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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 Emira doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Mustang GT Premium Fastback is quieter than the Emira (50 vs. 51 dB).

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

The Mustang Fastback has 33.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (82.8 vs. 49).

The Mustang Fastback has a larger trunk than the Emira (13.5 vs. 12.7 cubic feet).

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 Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

The engine in the Mustang is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Mustang Automatic has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Emira doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Emira does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

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 Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Mustang detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Emira doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Emira 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 Emira doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mustang’s 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. The Emira doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Mustang 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 Emira doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2024 issue and they ranked the Ford Mustang Dark Horse higher than the Lotus Emira.