Two American Icons Go Head-to-Head: Chevrolet Corvette vs. Ford Mustang

When it comes to iconic muscle cars, the first place you might head is a Chevy dealership for a Corvette or a Ford dealership for a Mustang. These two performance vehicles have a long-standing rivalry that goes back to the 1960s when the Mustang arrived to give the Corvette a run for its money. After all these years, there is still no substitute for either of these legendary American sports cars, but which one comes out on top?

The Engine Lineup

For some, whether they head to a Chevy dealership for a Corvette or prefer the Mustang is just a matter of preference. Both cars have impressive engine lineups. The entry-level Corvette gets power from a 6.2-liter V-8 that generates 490 horsepower, and the entry-level Mustang has a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder with 310 horsepower. A High-Performance package is available, which boosts output to 332 horsepower. The Mustang GT uses a 5.0-liter V-8 with 450 horsepower, and the Mach 1 increases it again to 470.

The New Corvette C8 Z06 Takes on the Shelby GT500

The latest Corvette C8 Z06 has a 5.5-liter V-8 engine that churns out 670 horsepower and gets 460 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The Shelby GT500 is no slouch either. It has a 5.2-liter supercharged V08 that puts out 760 horsepower and gets 625 pound-feet of torque. What’s the big difference between the two? The Mustang’s V-8 sits conventional position up front, while the Corvette’s mid-engine placement significantly improves handling.

So, what happens when these two top-level performance cars head to the track? Both are impressive, but the Corvette’s wide stance, mid-engine layout, and carbon brakes edge it out in front of the Mustang.

What About the Everyday Driver?

If you’re not planning on taking your sports car to the track, there are other features and equipment that you’ll want to know about. The Corvette comes with power-adjustable leather seats and a power-adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel. The digital instrument panel offers three different themes depending on the driving mode, and you can get a performance data recorder.

The Mustang feels more like a retro muscle car but with modern touches. It’s roomier in the cabin than the Corvette, and there is more seating if you want to take your friends out for a ride. Stepping up from the base to the EcoBoost Premium gets you partial leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver and passenger seat. This trim also has heated and ventilated front seats.

Corvette vs. Mustang: The Bottom Line

So, how do you decide whether you want to go to a Chevy dealer for the Corvette or head down to Ford for the Mustang? Both are impressive, so it really comes down to what you like.

The Corvette is widely regarded as one of the most balanced sports cars made in the U.S. and now offers Magnetic Ride Control, but the iconic Mustang pony car has a legendary persona that appeals to many drivers.