North Georgia Ford Compares 2019 Ford Mustang VS 2018 Dodge Challenger Near Calhoun, GA

The Mustang offers optional Pre-Collision Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Mustang’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Mustang’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Challenger doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Mustang’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Challenger runs out after 60,000 miles.

There are over 31 percent more Ford dealers than there are Dodge dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Mustang have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Mustang first among midsize sporty cars in their 2018 Initial Quality Study. The Challenger isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 16th in reliability. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 9 places higher in reliability than Dodge.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mustang GT is faster than the Challenger 6.4 V8 (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback gets better fuel mileage than the Challenger:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Challenger R/T manual requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Challenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Challenger:

The Mustang GT Premium Fastback handles at 1.00 G’s, while the Challenger Scat Pack pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Premium Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (24 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Challenger SXT/R/T’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 600 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The Mustang is 9 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the Mustang easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Mustang has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Challenger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Challenger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

When three different drivers share the Mustang Premium, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and outside mirror angle. The Challenger doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Challenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang has a lever hand brake in the console, easy to use while keeping both feet free and not impeding entry and exit. The Challenger’s foot pedal parking brake is not handy to use as a hill holding device with a manual transmission.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the Challenger because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mustang than the Challenger, including $10 less for a water pump, $42 less for a muffler, $206 less for front brake pads, $97 less for a starter, $500 less for a fuel pump and $97 less for front struts.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Dodge Challenger by 27% during 2017.