Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang

American muscle cars have thrilled drivers for decades. If you’ve recently shopped for a sleek, powerful sports car, you’ve probably seen the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. These two classics deliver style and performance at every turn. However, some may find sifting through the different models, options, and performance packages challenging. To help, we had our sports car experts dive deeply into these two vehicles, exploring the various features. After reading this article, you may be ready to sell your car and replace it with one of these sporty upgrades.

Chevrolet Camaro Vs. Ford Mustang: Trim Levels and Pricing

Image by Johnny Ainsworth | Licensed with CC BY 2.0

Both manufacturers make these sports cars in multiple trims. In addition, Chevrolet and Ford offer buyers several performance and option packages. We provide you with the pricing breakdown in the table below:

At first glance, it appears you have more options with the Mustang. However, Ford offers the same Mustang with a different body style — Fastback, Convertible, and GT. Each of these body styles also has a Premium option.

Chevrolet sets the Camaro lineup slightly differently, with the 1LS, 1SS, and ZL1 being the primary trims. The convertible Camaro options are 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, and 2SS, so you have more options if you’re looking for an open-air driving experience to pair with performance driving dynamics. If you prefer the exterior style of a sports car, both vehicles offer comparable trims.

A performance feature comparison by trim positions the Camaro 1LS against the Mustang Fastback, the Camaro 1SS against the Mustang GT, and the Camaro ZL1 against the Shelby GT500. Ford also has the Mustang Mach 1 with performance engineering that slots between the GT and GT500, offering upgraded performance features without the high cost of the GT500.

Edge: Chevrolet Camaro

The lineup matches evenly in most areas. You have an additional convertible option with the Camaro but an extra performance version with the Mustang. Lower prices across the lineup make the Camaro the more attractive option.

Chevrolet Camaro Vs. Ford Mustang: Performance

A good performance comparison begins with the powertrain. Chevrolet offers a four-engine lineup. A 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection and variable valve timing comes standard on the LS and LT trims. Chevrolet paired this engine with a six-speed manual transmission, an optional automatic transmission, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. This powertrain produces 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.

You can opt for a 3.6-liter V-6 engine on the LS and LT trims. This engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission to produce 335 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque. The additional power allows this car to go from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

Chevrolet couples a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. This powertrain comes standard on the LT1 and SS models and is optional for the lower trims. You gain significant power with this V-8 engine that puts out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque and goes from zero to 60 mph in 4 seconds.

The top-tier Camaro ZL1 comes standard with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, a 1.7-liter Eaton supercharger, and a six-speed automatic transmission. As a result, this powertrain comes in with an impressive 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque and goes from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Ford has a three-engine lineup for the Mustang. The Fastback base models use the 2.3-liter EcoBoost high-performance engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission to produce 330 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The GT and Mach 1 trims come with Ford’s classic 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V-8 engine and six-speed manual transmission. Ford’s V-8 produces 420 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.

A 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine comes standard in the Shelby GT500 and pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. As a result, this powertrain rates at 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, you don’t have an option for a manual transmission, which is a rarity in performance vehicles. Still, the Shelby GT500 goes from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Edge: Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro beats the Mustang with variety, offering every engine except the supercharger on each trim. While Ford’s base engine puts out more horsepower than Chevrolet’s, you can upgrade to a V-6 that produces similar power or the V-8, which far out-performs both Ford engines.

Chevrolet Camaro Vs. Ford Mustang: Curb Appeal

Let’s face it. Although you buy a sports car for the driving thrill, you also want to turn heads as you roll by. The Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang have successfully achieved both for decades. These two vehicles maintain an unmistakable identity that is instantly recognizable. Muscular lines, a low, wide stance, stylish wheels, a fastback design, and a throaty growl accompany each model.

Both manufacturers have a plethora of design and performance packages to enhance your model of choice. Racing stripes, performance hoods, tunable exhaust valves, and race-ready equipment can be added to either vehicle.

Edge: Even

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Both cars have outstanding styles, so your decision will come down to personal preference.

Chevrolet Camaro for the Win

More options, better power, and exceptional style make choosing the Camaro easy. If you’re ready to elevate your Louisville commute with a sports car loaded with power and performance features, the Camaro should be top on your list. Bachman Chevrolet has an expansive inventory of Camaro models in various trims and at competitive prices.

To start, we recommend you browse our inventory online. Once you’ve found a vehicle worth a closer look, you can visit our Bluegrass Parkway dealership any time. One of our friendly, professional staff will show you your preferred Camaro and let you take it for a test drive.