Since the 60s, the 2021 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro have been close competitors, drawing buyers in with their all-American exteriors and quick, agile performances. Our comparison guide is here to help you get to know each sports coupe a little better.
Interior Style and Substance: 2021 Ford Mustang
Over the years, both sports coupes have continued to improve cabin quality. However, the Mustang has the edge here. We love its high-quality materials and rattle-free finish. Convertible models even include extra active noice cancellation features, so you can expect a quiet ride. You might even be surprised at just how comfortable the Mustang is. And you can eke out hours of comfort from the Mustang’s roomy, supportive front seats. Dash controls are neatly arranged, minimizing distraction.
Inside the Chevy Camaro, the suspension maintains a supple ride. And the cabin keeps noise at bay, so there’s no need to shout. We do wish, however, that front and side visibility were better. In this segment, drivers count on cameras to maximize their rear visibility. But the Camaro’s limited front and side views make it hard to handle in a tight spot.
Cutting-Edge Technology: 2021 Ford Mustang
Both American sports coupes are nicely equipped with infotainment features and cutting-edge safety gear. Connecting your smartphone to each car’s infotainment system is simple, thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology. And both coupes offer modern infotainment technology, including sharp color touch screens.
The Mustang comes standard with more safety aids, however, giving it the edge in the tech department. Every trim model includes the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids, with features like forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist to help you avoid an accident. The Camaro offers similar safety features, but you have to pay extra to get them.
Standard Performance: 2021 Ford Mustang
When you’re shopping for a pony car, you’ve got speed on your mind. Both the Mustang and the Camaro have plenty to offer in terms of performance, but it’s the Mustang that gives you the edge at no extra cost.
The entry-level Mustang, with its 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gets you off to a powerful start with its 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The base Camaro comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s powerful in its own right — with 275 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque — but it can’t quite keep up with the Mustang.
High-End Performance: 2021 Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro offers a few V8 engine options, the most powerful of which you’ll find on the top-trim ZL1. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 will get your heart going with 650 horses and 650 pound-feet of torque.
The regular Mustang doesn’t offer anything quite as powerful, but its top-tier Mach 1 model does supply stunning speed. It features an upgraded version of the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8, boosting output to 480 horses and 420 pound-feet of torque.
High-performance Mustang models, like the Shelby GT500, might beat the ZL1 in a race, but they’re considered separate models from the regular Mustang.
Endnotes
There’s a lot to love about the Chevy Camaro, but the modern Mustang has it beat in just about every capacity. If you’re after a sports coupe that blends speed with impressive comfort and safety technology, choose the 2021 Ford Mustang.