Is a Camaro better than a Mustang?
The Mustang generally offers broader versatility and stronger daily usability, while the Camaro leans toward raw performance and track-oriented capability. It’s also important to note that Chevrolet ended Camaro production after the 2024 model year, which affects current availability and future value.
Performance and Powertrains
Key horsepower figures and acceleration benchmarks across mainstream variants help illustrate how each brand approaches performance.
Horsepower and acceleration benchmarks — Ford Mustang
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost (2.3L turbo): approximately 300–315 hp; 0-60 mph around the mid-5 seconds range.
- Ford Mustang GT (5.0L V8): about 450 hp; 0-60 mph around 4.0 seconds.
- Ford Mustang Mach 1: roughly 470 hp; 0-60 mph around 4.0 seconds with tuned suspension for greater track capability.
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: about 760 hp; 0-60 mph around 3.5 seconds in ideal conditions.
For buyers prioritizing a wide range of power, the Mustang family covers efficient daily drivability to extreme straight-line performance in a single lineup, with notable gains in higher-end variants.
Horsepower and acceleration benchmarks — Chevrolet Camaro
- Chevrolet Camaro LT1 (6.2L V8): about 455 hp; 0-60 mph typically around 4.0–4.2 seconds in capable configurations.
- Chevrolet Camaro SS (6.2L V8): about 455 hp; similar 0-60 timing to LT1, with strong mid-range grunt.
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (6.2L LT4 supercharged): about 650 hp; 0-60 mph roughly 3.5–3.8 seconds in favorable conditions.
Camaro variants emphasize a higher likelihood of a top-end, race-inspired experience, especially in the supercharged ZL1, though availability is limited by the model’s production end after 2024.
Handling, Design, and Practicality
Beyond straight-line speed, buyers weigh handling, cockpit feel, visibility, and everyday practicality. The Mustang and Camaro take different routes to deliver a distinct driving character.
- Driving dynamics: Mustangs tend to offer balanced handling with a focus on comfortable highway cruising and confident highway presence; Camaros emphasize a tighter, more cockpit-like feel with a lean toward track performance.
- Interior and ergonomics: Mustangs generally provide a more open-feeling cabin in some trims and can offer more passenger room for everyday use; Camaros favor a snug, driver-centric layout that can feel cramped for taller occupants in rear seats.
- Visibility and packaging: Mustangs often provide better outward visibility and more practical trunk space for daily errands; Camaros, with their sloping roofline, can sacrifice rear visibility and cargo flexibility.
- Weight and balance: Both cars are designed with rear-wheel-drive dynamics in mind, but the Camaro’s chassis tuning tends to skew toward aggressive handling at the expense of ride comfort on rough pavement; the Mustang aims for a balanced, versatile ride.
In short, if you want a well-rounded daily driver that still delivers strong performance at a lower risk of compromising comfort, the Mustang generally wins on practicality. For enthusiasts chasing a more focused, track-grade feel, the Camaro—especially in SS and ZL1 configurations—offers a sharper raw-performance edge.
Technology, Interior, and Comfort
Cabin tech and comfort levels vary by trim, but both vehicles equip modern infotainment and driver assistance that are competitive within the segment.
- Infotainment: Ford’s SYNC 4 system with large touchscreen options and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; Camaro uses Chevrolet Infotainment with smartphone integration and comparable app support.
- Driver aids: Both offer a solid suite of available safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping tech on higher trims or with packages, though feature availability depends on year and trim.
- Interior quality: The Mustang has been praised for improving materials and design in recent years, while the Camaro offers a driver-focused cockpit with premium trims that feel sportier but can be less spacious than the Mustang in some configurations.
Technology and comfort are strong points for both, with Ford often delivering a more user-friendly infotainment experience and Camaro delivering a more dedicated sports-car atmosphere in its higher trims.
Ownership Costs, Availability, and Aftermarket
Cost of ownership, parts availability, and community support influence long-term value and accessibility for both models.
- Availability: The Camaro’s production ended after the 2024 model year, limiting new-car options and affecting resale dynamics; the Mustang remains in active production with ongoing updates and variants.
- Maintenance and repair: Both vehicles have broad aftermarket support, which helps with parts pricing and customization, though the Camaro’s end of production may influence some supply chain aspects for newer owners.
- Resale and depreciation: With Camaro production concluded, some buyers view early 2020s Camaros as collectible or as potential bargains depending on condition and mileage; Mustangs, having ongoing production and a larger enthusiast base, generally retain a broader resale market.
Ownership considerations tilt toward ongoing Mustang availability and parts diversity for most buyers, while Camaro ownership now hinges on availability, condition, and the specific model year or rarity of performance variants.
Summary
In a direct comparison, the Ford Mustang excels as a versatile, accessible, and well-rounded sports coupe with a broad range of trims and strong daily drivability. The Chevrolet Camaro stands out when raw performance and track-ready capability are the priority, especially in the higher-performance ZL1 variant. However, Camaro production has ended after the 2024 model year, which changes new-car availability and long-term value considerations. Ultimately, the choice comes down to whether you value everyday practicality and variety (Mustang) or pure, focused performance and a driver-centric feel (Camaro)—keeping in mind that limited new Camaro supply may shape buying options in the used market.
Do Mustangs or Camaros sell more?
The Camaro finished dead last, even losing in sales to the Mustang Mach-E.
| Model | Q4 2023 | YTD 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Camaro | 6,340 | 24,652 |
| Dodge Challenger | 9,610 | 55,060 |
| Ford Mustang | 13,290 | 47,566 |
Is the Mustang better than the Camaro?
The Mustang's newest redesign has made it much improved for 2024. It surpasses the Camaro regarding interior quality, seat comfort, fuel economy and cargo room. It also has superior interior and safety technology. With wins in more categories than its rival, the Mustang is the victor in our head-to-head.
What are the disadvantages of Camaro?
Some drivers have reported engine knocking, stalling, loud noises when cranked up after a shutdown, and loss of power. The car can also vibrate similarly to gear slippage in a manual transmission. In the worst-case scenario, the engine can lock itself up and shut down the entire Camaro.
Is a Mustang or Camaro safer?
Notably, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also rated the Mustang as a safer vehicle than the Camaro in their front crash test simulations.
