Is a Challenger heavier than a mustang?
Yes. Across the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang lineups, the Challenger generally carries more curb weight than the Mustang, though there are exceptions in high-performance Mustang variants and depending on the model year and options. It’s important to note that Dodge ended Challenger production after the 2023 model year, so the comparisons below reflect the last-generation Challenger and contemporary Mustangs.
What the numbers say about weight: Challenger vs Mustang
To illustrate the comparison, here are typical curb weight ranges for common Challenger trims and Mustang trims. Figures refer to base curb weights for each model year and trim level, not including passengers or cargo.
- Dodge Challenger SXT (V6): roughly 3,900–4,000 lb
- Dodge Challenger R/T (5.7L Hemi): roughly 4,000–4,100 lb
- Dodge Challenger Scat Pack (392): roughly 4,100–4,200 lb
- Dodge Challenger Hellcat (Supercharged 6.2L): roughly 4,500–4,600 lb
- Dodge Challenger Redeye (Extreme Supercharged): roughly 4,700–4,800 lb
- Challenger Widebody variants: add about 100–200 lb on top of the corresponding non-widebody trims
In summary, the Challenger’s mass is typically higher across its most common configurations, with extreme variants pushing well into the 4,600–4,800 lb range. The widebody versions tend to be heavier due to additional structural and aerodynamic hardware.
Weight benchmarks for the Ford Mustang
These figures reflect representative curb weights for popular Mustang configurations, before any optional track packs or performance packages that can affect mass. As with the Challenger, weights are curb figures and exclude occupants and cargo.
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost (2.3L): roughly 3,500–3,800 lb
- Ford Mustang GT (5.0L V8): roughly 3,600–3,900 lb
- Ford Mustang Mach 1: roughly 3,800–3,900 lb
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT350: roughly 3,700–3,900 lb
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: roughly 4,100–4,200 lb
Mustang weights span a broad range. While base EcoBoost and most GT/Mach 1 configurations sit in the mid-3,000s to upper-3,000s, the high-performance Shelby variants push past 4,000 pounds, narrowing the gap with the Challenger in some years and trims but generally still lighter on average than the heaviest Challenger models.
Bottom line: who weighs more?
On balance, the Dodge Challenger is heavier than the Ford Mustang in most trims, especially when comparing base or mid-range configurations. The Mustang can reach or exceed Challenger weights in its high-performance variants (such as the Shelby GT500), but the overall mass distribution across the common trims tends to favor the Challenger as the heavier car. Prospective buyers should compare the exact curb weights for the specific year and trim they’re considering, since options like widebody packages and track-focused equipment can shift the numbers noticeably.
Why weight matters in these cars
Weight influences acceleration feel, braking performance, and handling characteristics. The Challenger’s larger footprint and heavier framing contribute to a different driving balance than the lighter Mustang, which can translate to distinct performance experiences even when horsepower figures are similar. Both cars offer compelling performance, but the Challenger’s mass is a defining characteristic across many of its variants.
Summary
In short, the Challenger is typically heavier than the Mustang across most mainstream trims, with the gap narrowing only in select high-performance Mustang models. For buyers prioritizing lightness and nimble handling, the Mustang often presents a lighter, more agile option; for those valuing mass and a presence on the road, the Challenger delivers a more substantial footprint. Always check the specific curb weight of the exact model year and trim you’re evaluating to make a precise comparison.
How heavy is a Dodge Challenger?
A Dodge Challenger's weight varies significantly by model year and trim, but generally ranges from about 3,700 to over 4,400 pounds. For example, a base SXT model can weigh around 3,841 pounds, while a higher-performance SRT Hellcat model is considerably heavier, at around 4,481 pounds.
- Base models: A 2022 SXT weighs about 3,841 pounds.
- All-wheel drive models: A 2021 GT with AWD weighs around 4,078 pounds.
- High-performance models: A 2022 SRT Hellcat weighs around 4,481 pounds.
How heavy is a Mustang?
The weight of a Ford Mustang depends on its model and configuration, ranging from approximately 3,588 pounds for a 2024 EcoBoost Coupe to 3,991 pounds for a 2024 GT Convertible. Other models fall within this range, such as the EcoBoost Convertible at about 3,741 pounds and the GT Fastback at around 3,827 to 3,832 pounds.
This video shows the weight of a 2024 Mustang GT S650 compared to a 2015 model: 56sCJ Pony PartsYouTube · Sep 15, 2023
- EcoBoost Coupe (2024): 3,588 pounds
- EcoBoost Convertible (2024): 3,741 pounds
- GT Fastback (2024): 3,827 pounds (manual) or 3,832 pounds (automatic)
- GT Convertible (2024): 3,991 pounds (manual) or 4,012 pounds (automatic)
- Dark Horse (2024): 3,949 pounds (manual) or 3,993 pounds (automatic)
Is a Mustang heavier than a Challenger?
While it's powerful, the Challenger is heavier, which makes it less agile around tight turns. The Challenger Scat Pack bumps the power up to 485 horsepower, but its larger frame still impacts its handling compared to the Mustang.
What car is the crowd killer?
The term "crowd killer car" is a nickname for the Ford Mustang, stemming from numerous videos shared on social media of Mustangs crashing into crowds, often while drivers are showing off or attempting to perform stunts. While any powerful, rear-wheel-drive car can be dangerous in inexperienced hands, the stigma is often attributed to the Mustang's high power, accessibility to new drivers, and the visibility of its crashes on platforms like YouTube and Facebook.
This video explains why the Ford Mustang has a "crowd killer" reputation: 59sMartiniWorksYouTube · Feb 4, 2024
Reasons for the "crowd killer" stigma
- Inexperienced drivers: Many owners are first-time performance car buyers who may not have the skills to handle the car's power.
- Reckless behavior: Drivers often show off by revving the engine, performing burnouts, or attempting other stunts, which can lead to loss of control.
- Traction control settings: Some drivers disable traction control or use "Sport+" modes, which can lead to spinning the rear wheels and a loss of control.
- Visibility on social media: Videos of these crashes go viral, leading to a perception that Mustangs are inherently more dangerous than other cars.
- Car design: Historically, some models had a solid rear axle, which could make them more challenging to handle than cars with independent suspension, although the issue is not limited to any one generation.
This video discusses the reputation of the Mustang as a crowd killer: 1mCrewZ NatioNYouTube · Jul 9, 2024
Misconceptions
- The issue is not limited to one model: While newer S550 generation Mustangs are frequently featured in videos, this issue spans many generations of the car.
- It is the driver, not the car: The problem is largely due to driver error and a lack of skill, not the car's design itself.
- Lack of official statistics: There is no readily available, official data that definitively proves Mustangs crash into crowds more often than other similar cars.
