For enhanced safety, the Chevrolet Camaro’s rear seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The Ford Mustang doesn’t offer height adjustable seat belts.
The Chevrolet Camaro has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Mustang doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.
Both the Camaro and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.
The Camaro’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Mustang’s (6 vs. 5 years).
Chevrolet pays for scheduled maintenance on the Camaro 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.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 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 7th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 12th.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 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 9th in reliability, above the industry average. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 24th.
The Camaro has more powerful engines than the Mustang:
Horsepower |
Torque |
|
Camaro 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. |
275 HP |
295 lbs.-ft. |
Camaro 3.6 DOHC V6 |
335 HP |
284 lbs.-ft. |
Camaro SS 6.2 V8 |
455 HP |
455 lbs.-ft. |
Mustang 3.7 DOHC V6 |
300 HP |
280 lbs.-ft. |
Mustang ECOBoost 2.3 turbo 4 cyl. |
310 HP |
320 lbs.-ft. |
Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8 |
435 HP |
400 lbs.-ft. |
As tested in Motor Trend the Camaro SS is faster than the Mustang GT (manual transmissions tested):
Camaro |
Mustang |
|
Zero to 60 MPH |
4 sec |
4.6 sec |
Zero to 80 MPH |
6.3 sec |
7.1 sec |
Zero to 100 MPH |
9.3 sec |
10.8 sec |
Passing 45 to 65 MPH |
1.8 sec |
2.2 sec |
Quarter Mile |
12.4 sec |
12.9 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
114.6 MPH |
110 MPH |
As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Camaro V6 is faster than the Mustang ECOBoost (automatics tested):
Camaro |
Mustang |
|
Zero to 60 MPH |
5.3 sec |
5.6 sec |
Quarter Mile |
13.8 sec |
14.1 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
102.9 MPH |
97.8 MPH |
On the EPA test cycle the Camaro SS gets better fuel mileage than the Mustang GT:
Camaro |
Mustang |
|||
SS/Manual |
16 city/25 hwy |
15 city/25 hwy |
GT/Manual |
|
SS Coupe/Auto |
17 city/28 hwy |
16 city/25 hwy |
GT Coupe/Auto |
|
SS Convertible/Auto |
17 city/28 hwy |
15 city/24 hwy |
GT Convertible/Auto |
An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Mustang doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.
The Camaro has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang ECOBoost’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 15.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Camaro has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang V6/GT’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 16 gallons).
The Camaro stops much shorter than the Mustang:
Camaro |
Mustang |
||
80 to 0 MPH |
197 feet |
218 feet |
Road & Track |
70 to 0 MPH |
147 feet |
164 feet |
Car and Driver |
60 to 0 MPH |
115 feet |
126 feet |
Road & Track |
For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the Mustang (245/50R18 vs. 235/55R17).
The Camaro’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 55 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro has standard 18-inch 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 available on the Camaro 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 Camaro offers an available 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.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Mustang (110.7 inches vs. 107.1 inches).
The Camaro SS Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the Mustang V6 Fastback pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
The Camaro SS Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback (24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .8 average G’s).
As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Camaro SS Coupe is quieter than the Mustang GT Fastback (49 vs. 50 dB).
The Camaro has .5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mustang Fastback (85 vs. 84.5).
The Camaro offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation 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 Camaro 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.
On extremely cold Winter days, the Camaro’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Mustang doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.
Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2015 issue and the Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe won out over the Ford Mustang GT Fastback.
The Camaro was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2016. The Mustang hasn’t been picked since 2015.
Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Mustang was Car of the Year in 1994.
The Camaro was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2010 Car of the Year. The Mustang has never been chosen.
The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Ford Mustang by 3662 units during 2014.
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