Turbo Ponies: Ford Mustang EcoBoost vs. Chevy Camaro 2.0T

Gone are the days when a V8 was the only acceptable engine option in an American pony car. Today’s V6 and turbocharged-four engines in the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro make every bit as much power as the big, heavy V8s of yore, and weigh-down the front axle less doing it.

But which turbocharged, four-cylinder American pony car is the one to have: the Ford Mustang EcoBoost, or the Chevrolet Camaro 2.0T? To answer that, Motor Trend performed an in-depth comparison test, gauging the acceleration, braking, cornering grip, and track prowess of each to determine a winner.

Neither the Ford Mustang nor the Chevy Camaro in this test was without a breadth of optional extras, with the former rocking an optional, $1,995 Performance Pack with a different axle ratio, summer performance tires, and big, four-piston brakes. The Camaro, left without an equivalent performance package, was optioned with a performance all-season tire upgrade and a front-only brake upgrade.

That’s likely a large part of the reason that the Ford Mustang EcoBoost – some 230 pounds heavier than the Chevy – was able to best its rival with regard to cornering grip, braking distance, and overall track competence in the hands of Motor Trend‘s resident racing driver, Randy Pobst. Even still, GM’s turbo-four pony car managed a 5.2-second sprint to 60mph versus the Ford Mustang’s 6.3 seconds, despite a 35-horsepower deficit (275HP in the Chevy vs. 310HP in the Ford).

To read the full comparison test and find out which of these “fuel-sipping” American pony cars won, pay a visit to the Motor Trend website.