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2010 Ford Mustang Beats Camaro, Challenger in Performance Shootout

 
5 3,174 views Sep 1, 2009
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The upgraded six-pot should provide smoother, stronger performance

The upgraded six-pot should provide smoother, stronger performance

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2010 Chevrolet Camaro

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

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2009 Dodge Challenger

2009 Dodge Challenger

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Sales of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro have been fast and furious, handily beating the Mustang for monthly sales in June, July and August, but when it comes to street-level performance, the 'Stang gets the nod. At least, that's what Consumer Reports' road test comparison of the three concluded.

While the competition between the Camaro SS and the 2010 Mustang GT was close - the Chevy scored 71 points to the Mustang's 78 - the Challenger R/T was left holding the low-tech bag with a mere 53 points. Those scores correlate to "Very Good" for the Camaro and Mustang and just "Good" for the Challenger.

The bottom line differences between the three came down to size and weight. While the Camaro accelerates well and handles admirably, its size and 'girth' give the Mustang the edge. The Challenger also suffered from its portly size, failing to match up in braking and handling.

Also compared alongside the three muscled-up pony cars was an odd assortment of import metal: the Nissan 370Z, Subaru WRX and Hyundai Genesis Coupe. While each of the imports shares little in common with each other, the 370Z arguably fits the bill of 'Japanese muscle car', so it may be an apt point of comparison.

Except CR neglected to give us the numeric scores of the three out-of-town contenders, only noting that all of them scored in the "Very Good" range.

The obvious difference between the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger is that the Mustang has been 'back' longer than either of the alternatives; Ford has had time to tune and tweak the car to work the kinks out of it while the other cars were merely twinkles in a product planner's eye.

And in the end, that shows through in CR's assessment of the Ford as the more civilized and smooth performer of the three.





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Comments (5)

  1. By Gus Posted: 9/1/2009 6:11pm PDT

    Even with it's "archaic" live axle...
    And Consumer Reports isn't the only magazine to say so. I've read several magazines who put the Mustang on top at this price point.
    And the 370z is a two seater, not really a comparison, in my opinion, but I'm sure it beats the Mustang in handling...
     
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  2. By  Alister Posted: 9/2/2009 12:16am PDT

    "mustang has been back" I think a more accurate statement would be. Ford has finally pulled their head out of their arse. Thusly realising that if Mustang is to succeed it needs to be a great car over all and not just a great Mustang.
    Good job Ford!!!
     
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  3. By  Car Guy Posted: 9/2/2009 3:22pm PDT

    The Challenger is a better car in my opinion.I sell cars for a living multi- make used car lot new/used & specialize in leasing we get them all !!The Mustang and some others ride too rough for a daily driver plus are very small inside(being tall I like to have room)So what if it can only go 70 mph around a corner instead of 73 mph and takes a few feet longer to stop from 60,it weights more ,what do you expect.The pay off is a quiet,smooth ride,great handling and 5 second flat to 60 mph with the R/T and 4.5 seconds with the SRT,wait until the 500+ hp 6.4 L comes out!! But on the street the R/T is a great driving,handling powerful car!!Hardly anything will touch you I dont know about you but to keep my drivers licence you cant race around the corners at high speed,zig zag in traffic,for safety reasons and if you race your car around 24/7 it wont last..I have driven the 370 Z and I dont fit in the car comfortably as being 6'4 I found the Challenger to be the most comfortable and best looking of the bunch..
    One more thing,the Challenger's steering in boosted so you can drive with your pinky,alot of journelists consider that bad handling because they are used to the competion 2 hand full force hard steering turning they call it road feel,so if you are a better driver you can actually know the car and handle and control the Challenger better than the journelists..thats the truth..
     
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  4. By  Vitamin C Posted: 12/2/2009 1:15am PST

    I think that it has gotten quite a bit of R&D money over the years, unless the GT500 and the 2010 Mustangs came free of charge from the engineering department at Ford. The refinements made to the 2010 Mustang vs the 2009 Mustang alone cost quite a bit of dough. And despite the live-axle rear suspension, there is nothing old, hoary, or low-tech about the Mustang.
     
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  5. By Wes Jones Posted: 12/31/2009 7:04pm PST

    I have driven all three, plus the Infinity G30, and the Camaro is by far the "most civilized", and best leg room. I am 6 ft. plus, and over 240, and I can get in and out of the back seat of the Camaro EASIER than in and out the front passenger seat of the G or the Mustang. The independent rear suspension makes all the difference over Mustang. Truthfully, I have driven a lot of Fords when buying a new car or truck as I have two son-in-laws that I can get the A plan through, and keep trying to save some bucks is always good, but even though it costs more, I routinely buy the Chevy or other GM product. I have had Fords and a Lincoln and they were OK, but I keep coming back to GM products most of the time.
     
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