Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Chevrolet CORVETTE VS 2015 Ford Mustang Near Scottsdale, AZ

Both the Corvette and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Corvette 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Mustang. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Mustang ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Chevrolet pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corvette for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Chevrolet will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Mustang.

The battery on the Corvette is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Corvette’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Mustang’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 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 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 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 13th in reliability. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 17th.

The Corvette has more powerful engines than the Mustang:

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Corvette is faster than the Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Corvette Z06 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Mustang ECOBoost 2.3 turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

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

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette’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 V6/GT’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16 gallons).

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

The Corvette’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mustang are solid, not vented.

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:

For better traction, the Corvette has larger standard tires than the Mustang (F:245/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 235/55R17). The Corvette Z06’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mustang (F:285/30R19 & R:335/25R20 vs. 265/35R20).

The Corvette’s standard 245/40R18 front and 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires. The Corvette Z06’s 285/30R19 front and 335/25R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the Mustang’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang.

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.

The Corvette 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 Mustang’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Corvette’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Mustang’s (53.5% to 46.5%). This gives the Corvette more stable handling and braking.

The Corvette Z06 Coupe handles at 1.19 G’s, while the Mustang GT Fastback pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback (22.5 seconds @ .98 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Ford Mustang.

The Corvette is 11.4 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Corvette Stingray Coupe is quieter than the Mustang GT Fastback (69 vs. 72 dB).

The Corvette Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Mustang Fastback (15 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The Corvette has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. 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.

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 offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which 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 is only available on the Mustang Premium.

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

The Corvette was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2014 Car of the Year. The Mustang has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2014 North American Car of the Year. The Mustang has never been chosen.