2017 Chevy Camaro vs. 2017 Ford Mustang: Head to Head

Mustang vs. Camaro: What's the Better Muscle Car to Buy?

The Ford Mustang has been an American icon since Ford introduced it as a 2-seat concept car built on the compact Ford Falcon platform in 1962. The car evolved into a 4-seater and was officially released partway through 1964 as a 1965 model.

Ford’s intention with the Mustang was to fill a gap between the average commuter car and the Corvette. The Mustang inspired a new class of cars referred to as “pony cars.” Pony cars were affordable compact cars with sporty styling and an emphasis on performance. The Mustang was completely redesigned in 2015 and is now in its sixth generation.

The Mustang paved the way for such rivals as the Chevrolet Camaro. While the Camaro is not considered as iconic as the Mustang – likely due in part to the success of Chevrolet Corvette – it has been the Mustang’s toughest competition for many years.

It didn’t take long for General Motors to get its Mustang competitors on the road. By 1966, the 1967 Camaro, as well as the Pontiac Firebird, entered the market. GM discontinued the Camaro in 2002 after its fourth generation. However, it returned in 2010 to raving reviews and is now also in its sixth generation. The Camaro was completely redesigned in 2016.

Read on to discover which sports car wins this race to the finish.

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Pricing

Winner: 2017 Ford Mustang

The 2017 Ford Mustang is tied with the Mazda MX-5 Miata for the best-in-class base price, both start at $24,915. Upgrading it can get pricey, with the top-of-the-line two-seat Shelby GT350R setting you back $54,570. If you had your heart set on a convertible, the V6 Convertible trim starts at $30,415.

The base 2017 Camaro starts at $25,905, slightly higher than the Mustang. The top-tier performance-oriented Camaro ZL1 is priced at $62,135. Moving to a convertible Camaro will cost you $31,905, about $1,500 more than the Mustang.

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Safety

Winner: 2017 Ford Mustang 

The Mustang received a perfect 10 out of 10 safety score. The Camaro has not yet been rated for safety. The 2016 Camaro did not fare as well as the Mustang and, unlike the Mustang, the new Camaro doesn’t offer forward crash avoidance technology.

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Seat Comfort and Interior Refinement

Winner: 2017 Ford Mustang 

While the sixth-generation Camaro’s interior is much-improved over previous models, reviewers agree that it is lacking compared to the Mustang. Both the Mustang and the Camaro provide comfort up front, while offering nearly useless rear seats. You may be able to get your children back there for a quick ride, but getting a car seat in or travelling any distance with more than two passengers is a stretch.

The Camaro suffers from a lack of visibility out the front windshield, and almost no visibility out the back due to its thick pillars. The Mustang offers a great view of the road from the driver’s seat, but the view out the rear window is also an issue. Fortunately, the standard rearview cameras solve the rear visibility problem and both cars offer rear park assist. 

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Cargo Space

Winner: 2017 Ford Mustang (Details Below)

The Camaro trails the Mustang in cargo space for both coupe and convertible models. The Mustang offers 13.5 feet of trunk space in the coupe and a surprising 11.4 in convertible models. The Camaro measures 9.1 and 7.3, respectively.

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Interior Technology

Winner: Tie

Both ponies offer intuitive touch-screen infotainment systems, teen driver safety features, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and rearview cameras. Both include technological features for racing enthusiasts that can track and record performance data.

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Fuel Efficiency

Winner: 2017 Chevy Camaro

The Camaro boasts better fuel economy than most rivals, including the Mustang. The base Camaro returns 22 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway, compared to the Mustang’s respective 18 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. The same holds true for upper trims. The Mustang’s more expensive EcoBoost option narrowly mirrors the Camaro’s efficiency.

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Performance

Winner: 2017 Chevy Camaro

The base Mustang comes equipped with a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine. If protecting the environment is a priority, about $1,000 extra will get you the fuel-efficient 310-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.

The Mustang GT is powered by an athletic 5.0-liter V8 that produces 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All Mustang models are available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The base Camaro LT has a standard 275-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. You can also upgrade the LT to a 335-horsepower V6. The Camaro SS comes with a muscular 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine. All Camaro’s come with a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.

In terms of high-performance variants, the Mustang GT350 and GT350R (racing) both come with a 5.2-liter V8 that produces 526 horsepower (it is the only Mustang model that isn’t offered with an automatic transmission). The GT350 can race from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The Camaro ZL1 boasts a whopping 650-horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter that can pull off a zero to 60 mph sprint in 3.5 seconds. It is the fastest Camaro ever produced. If you don’t want the manual transmission, you can opt for the 10-speed automatic, only available on the ZL1.

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Reliability

Winner: Tie 

Although J.D. Power hasn’t released predicted reliability ratings for either vehicle, they are both historically slightly above average, which is typical for the class. Ford and Chevrolet also offer similar three-year/36,000-mile basic warranties and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties. 

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The Winner Is …

2017 Ford Mustang 

Despite having overall scores and rankings that match up very closely, the Mustang exceeds the Camaro in too many areas. If you are looking for an affordable sports car, either model should impress. It boils down to what is most important to you.

If ultimate acceleration is your top priority, the Camaro may be the answer. However, considering the total package, the Mustang has more to offer. It’s a tough sports car to beat, especially for the price.

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More Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Are you ready to buy a Mustang or a Camaro? Do you have another, more practical model in mind to get you prepared for winter? Check out the U.S. News Best Price Program to discover the dealer in your area with the lowest prices.