For the 2019 model year, the base MSRP of the Ford Mustang EcoBoost has increased slightly over 2018, while the starting price of the Chevrolet Camaro – the Mustang’s foremost rival in the North American market – has decreased by nearly a thousand dollars. As a result, the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS now starts considerably lower than a Ford Mustang EcoBoost, which could be enough to sway pony car customers that aren’t bound by brand loyalty.
It isn’t just at the entry level that the price balance between both pony cars has changed significantly, however; according to pricing analysis from CarsDirect, the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro has seen price reductions of up to $3,000 throughout the lineup, compared to 2018 MSRPs.
For 2019, a barebones Ford Mustang EcoBoost costs $27,115 including destination – up from $26,745 in 2018. Of the total $370 price increase, $95 comes from Ford’s higher $995 destination charge for the 2019 model year (vs. $900 for 2018), and the remaining $275 from the car’s higher list price. The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS, meanwhile, starts $905 cheaper at $25,995, including $995 destination, which gives the bowtie-brand pony car an $1,120 price advantage. Option both cars with automatic transmissions and the price disparity jumps to $1,220.
Of course, some will say you’re getting more for your money with the Ford Mustang EcoBoost, which is equipped with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to the Camaro’s smaller 2.0-liter I4. The EcoBoost’s available automatic is a brand-new ten-speed unit like the one used on the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor; to get that transmission on the Camaro, one would need to step up to at least the 1SS trim level.
Speaking of, the V8-powered Camaro 1SS and 2SS are two models that haven’t seen their MSRPs budge for 2019, so while the 1SS starts at $37,995, the 2019 Ford Mustang GT still undercuts it by a considerable margin, with a base price of just $36,350 including destination. That’s a fairly significant price difference, and one that will keep plenty of Mustang fans from straying toward its chief rival from GM – at least at the higher end of the price spectrum.
Comments
Uhh…The 2019 1SS Camaro starting price is $37,995 including destination.
Thank you for correcting your mistake. Although it is not that much of a price difference from a base GT.
Yes, I apologize for the error. That’s most likely right; $1,600 or so in savings probably won’t pull any determined Camaro buyers away from Chevy’s showrooms. But for the agnostic pony car fan, it’s something that will probably factor into customers’ choices.