2022 Ford Mustang Gets Real With the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro
Article highlights:
- Chevrolet Camaro has more realistic prices and engine options
- Ford Mustang has more power
- Fuel economy and safety ratings are identical
The Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro have battled for the top muscle car step since 1967, and it doesn’t look like the fight will be decided anytime soon. Where one is cheaper, the other is more powerful, making it a difficult choice for consumers. The nice thing about these cars is that they have identical safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA and are roughly the same with fuel efficiency, so all that’s left to assess is power and comfort.
| Vehicle | 2022 Ford Mustang | 2022 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Price Range | $27,205 – $72,900 | $26,195 – $65,790 |
| Engine Options | 2.3L turbo four cyl., 5.0L V8, 5.2L V8 | 2.0L turbo four cyl., 3.6L V6, 6.2L V8 |
| Horsepower | 310 hp/760 hp | 275 hp/650 hp |
| Torque | 350 lb-ft/625 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft/650 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual, 10-speed automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch | 6-speed manual, 8 and 10-speed automatic |
| MPG Rating | 21/32/25 – 12/18/14 (combined/city/highway) | 22/30/25 – 13/21/16 (combined/city/highway) |
| IIHS Safety Rating | Good/Acceptable | Good/Acceptable |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | 5 stars | 5 stars |
2022 Ford Mustang
- Pros: More power, adequate visibility, affordable
- Cons: Not as composed, comfort levels not sustainable, harsh ride
On paper, it’s a dead heat between the 2022 Ford Mustang and the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro. Both offer comprehensive packages and features, independent rear suspension, and similar power ranges at affordable prices. It comes down to style and how you want that power delivered. While the Chevrolet Camaro has it’s low- to high-tier engines, the Mustang only has two tiers: realistic and crazy.
The 2.3-liter turbo-four “Ecoboost” is for the commuter who wants an exciting and dynamic drive. The mileage isn’t going to beat a hybrid, but that’s not why you buy a Mustang. The power takes its time off the line, but upon climbing the revs, that engine starts to feel like a lot more than 310 horsepower. However, compared to the GT trim, the weight of the car is hard to avoid. Ecoboost-equipped Mustangs don’t feel as spry as the V8.
The Mustang’s 5-liter “Coyote” engine has grown a lot since its 2011 debut. Output is now 460 horsepower for the GT trim, while the Mach 1 gets 470 horsepower. The GT500 trim nips at the heels of supercars with 760 supercharged horsepower. The Mustang GT feels big behind the wheel. The driver’s seat is more akin to a cocoon than a fighter jet, but the position is snug, and visibility is decent for its alleged muscle car class.
Naturally aspirated power from the 5-liter Coyote V8 rockets the car forward with immediacy, yet it feels planted throughout. Unfortunately, the treacherous Ford manual transmission strikes again. Shifts feel deliberate but lack conviction, almost like each gear change is second-guessing itself or leaping first without looking.
2022 Chevrolet Camaro
- Pros: Affordable and decent power, comfortable and relaxed interior
- Cons: Poor visibility, the car’s size is inescapable
The Chevrolet Camaro is an entirely different muscle car from the Ford Mustang when it comes to sitting behind the wheel. Using Chevrolet’s configurator can be a bit overwhelming when faced with all the engine and transmission choices, not to mention accessories and trim packages. Simplicity is lacking with the Camaro, but it makes up for it with a more comprehensive driving experience than the Ford Mustang.
The Camaro’s turbo-four provides 275 horsepower, which for a car weighing more than 3,300 pounds simply isn’t enough. Though the Camaro is lighter than the Mustang by 200 pounds, it needs the 6.2-liter V8 and its 455 horsepower. V8-equipped Camaros jump off the line with ease and seemingly all the grip in the world. The Camaro feels more composed or tame compared to the Mustang yet loses none of its grunt.
Sitting in the driver’s seat of the Camaro feels more like a cockpit, with a Grand Canyon between you and the front passenger, and still manages to be quite spacious and comfortable. When you slip into the driver’s seat, the car becomes approachable and safe, with all the controls at your fingertips. U.S. News pegged one problem with the Camaro’s interior as the dreaded visibility, which has been a problem since this new era of Camaro debuted in 2010.
Which muscle car is the right fit for you?
Both the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro have earned their spots as sports cars, and to that end, neither of them does it better than the other. Figuring out what you’ll use the car for is paramount. The Ford Mustang is unbridled fury wrapped in a nice, cheap little package, while the Chevrolet Camaro is domesticated and civil. Get the Mustang if you’re going to track your daily driver, but if you want something comfortable and fast to commute in, the Camaro wins all day.
