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The 2023 Ford Mustang vs. 2023 Dodge Challenger pits two vehicles together that are no strangers to muscle car competition. On one side, you have arguably the face of the classic American muscle car – the Ford Mustang. On the other – the Challenger – a model that saw moderate popularity in the mid 70s during a four year run, resurface for another half-decade in the late 70s and early 80s, and disappearing until its current triumphant run in 2008. The historical competition is a no contest – the Mustang wins by default, if for nothing else, simply its longevity as a staple in the Ford lineup for a half century. However, in the current era of Ford vs. Dodge, the Challenger has made substantial ground, rising in popularity to rival that of the current generation Mustang – almost. In this article, we take a look at the performance specs and technical features of these two performance machines, hopefully providing insight for Chino Hills drivers looking for the next great muscle car.
Let’s be honest – when someone buys a muscle car, they’re not concerned about cargo and passenger space. Price may be an object to a certain extent, as nearly every thriving American lives within a budget to a certain extent. Technology may play a marginal role, especially in today’s automated world of wireless everything. But make no bones about it – when a Upland driver ponders purchasing a performance vehicle the bottom line is speed and power. With respect to sports moms everywhere – there’s nothing exciting about how many suitcases you can fit into the trunk of your Mustang. That said – on the surface, it would appear the base Challenger has the base base Mustang beat. A 2.3L 4-Cylinder can’t hold a candle to the superior 3.6L V6 – or can it? Ten years ago, this would be the engine matchup you’d expect to see from a Toyota Camry vs. the Mustang V6 of the past. However, in our current world, the Mustang proves the performance chops of the 2.3L Turbo engine, delivering unprecedented acceleration, higher horsepower, more torque, and, well – more muscle. And, it’s also more efficient. Granted, when you get into the upper trim levels, the Challenger does eclipse the Mustang in certain packages, as the V8 version of the former flirts with the 800 horsepower mark. Even still, the lighter-bodied Mustang still makes it difficult thanks to a lighter body and far better handling thanks to its agility.
This brings us to our next-most important aspect of a muscle car – on-road agility. All the muscle in the world won’t do you a darn bit of good through curves if you don’t have agility – you’ll be limited to straight stretches and drag strips indefinitely – and where’s the fun in that? The Mustang is lightyears ahead of the Challenger in terms of agility. The much lighter body, feedback, and sharp steering are impressive – especially when you experience the body roll and and stability while you’re sliding into a turn. This doesn’t discount the excitement of the Challenger – especially in the upper trims. The generous power and strong braking performance are nothing to shake a stick at. However, the much-heavier body becomes apparent, especially in a tight turn, as it has difficulty matching the nimble Mustang.
To be fair, these two vehicles are pretty much dead-even in this category. Both provide a stellar array of the latest technology, including wireless capabilities and WiFi hotspot. This, in addition to each manufacturer’s specific tech platform, ensures you stay connected and in-tune at all times. If you’re dedicated to lowering your carbon footprint, there’s even an EV version of the Mustang known as the Mustang Mach E.
In this version of Ford vs. Dodge, the nod has to to the Mustang. With a more efficient performance and superior output on the base level, the standard buyer has a lot to look forward with the purchase of a Mustang. To get started on your purchase, fill out our secure loan application mmand our finance team will get back with you shortly!
