For quite a few years now, fans of V8-powered, rear-wheel drive American cars have had plenty to choose from – a list that includes the Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and of course, the Ford Mustang. However, that’s quickly changing, as the sixth-gen Camaro is going away after the 2024 model year with a collector’s edition model and no clear successor in sight, while Challenger production is ending as well, though that model may live on as an EV or something else entirely at some point in the future. Meanwhile, the 2024 Ford Mustang ushers in brand new generation for the iconic machine, and FoMoCo intends to continue selling it with a V8 as long as it possibly can – at this point, with a hybrid looking more likely than a full-blown EV. Now, in a somewhat sad comparison test from MotorTrend, the 2024 Ford Mustang has beaten its old rival, the 2023 Dodge Challenger – perhaps for the final time.
This latest (last?) comparison between these two old rivals consists of a 2024 Ford Mustang GT with the Performance Package and the six-speed manual transmission, which is taking on a 2023 Challenger Shakedown R/T Scat Pack Widebody. With its active exhaust system, the Mustang GT churns out 486 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque from its 5.0L V8 Coyote engine, while the Challenger’s 6.4L V8 makes 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet, in this case, routed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic.
Right off the bat, the 2024 Ford Mustang wins the price war, with an as-tested amount of $61,775 versus the limited-edition Challenger’s $68,800 sticker. However, despite its 400-pound weight disadvantage, the Challenger won the straight-line showdown with a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds versus the Mustang’s 4.3 clicks, and a quarter-mile of 12.5 seconds, though the pony car matched that latter time – and in all fairness, it’s hard to compare the slower-shifting manual to the automatic in this case.
In other performance metrics, the Mustang reigned supreme, stopping from 60-0 in 99 feet vs 102, and pulling 0.80g on the skid pad versus 0.76 for the Challenger. At the end of the day, MT notes that while these two cars are very different in their current form, there is a clear winner between the two. “The Mustang GT feels like a product of the 21st century,” it noted. “Modern, tech-forward, yet still delightfully anachronistic in its choice of powerplants given the rest of its current competition resort to turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines. Although it feels somewhat torn between the muscle and sports car camps, it’s, for now, the last car standing. And thankfully, it’s one we thoroughly enjoy driving more.”
We’ll have more on the Mustang and its competition soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
It´s OK that Ford keeps the V8 as long as possible, but Ford needs to develop an EV Mustang, in order to compete with the new EV Challenger. The Mach-e is, first than anything, NOT a Mustang and therefore is no rival for the EV Challenger. It would be pathetic that Ford would intend to compete the EV Challenger with a boring SUV with Mustang badges, that´s nothing but a make beleive Mustang.
Why come on with “you are an idiot”? I’m sure you can do better. This isn’t sixth grade.
Ford owner: “you are an idiot?” That´s the best your brain can do in order to get an argument? You think the Mach-e is a Mustang? Good for you. For me it´s not a Mustang and that is just a pure matter of tastes. Arguing with an insult, is not only coward, but mediocre.
YOU are the idiot for thinking that an electric SUV is a Mustang! I don’t care who “owns” the brand! That’s a stupid argument, and that makes you stupid! Any REAL Mustang enthusiast knows that ugly electric SUV is NOT a Mustang! Anyone who thinks it is is an idiot, moron and dumbass! That goes for you, too, Jim Farley!
Having owned 6 Mustangs, one Mercury Cougar, and two Mercury Capri’s, I’ve had some experience with the “PONY” car. I’m happy that FORD is continuing on with the 2024 Mustang with a V-8 and a manual transmission option. I do however think the “BIG THREE” is wrong in thinking that the EV will replace the ICE Cars. Electricity still comes from fossil fuels, the grid isn’t prepared for the uptick in electrical charging, and we are opening the door for cheap Chinese imports as well as being dependent on the Chinese for battery production. Living in Pennsylvania, that has a lot of Marcellus gas production, I kept reading eight or ten years ago that all vehicles would run on clean natural gas. That dream went away with the exception of some public transportation. The same will happen with the EV’s. The Auto Unions think the Government will be loyal to them until the Chinese start shipping EV’s to the USA and our vehicle production will be slim and none or they will be working for half their wages in a Chinese factory in Mississippi!
Many people are living a dream right now. Soon it will become a nightmare for all of us! I looked at a Mustang Mach e GT It was $66K. A 2024 Mustang Premium GT was $57K. Add to that an electrical hook-up in my house.
There’s something wrong with this picture.
Keep in mind this Challenger has essentially been unchanged since it’s revival in 2008. Moreover, a large number of components have come from Mercedes Benz models developed in late 90s.
And now FCA wants to do away with even this long before it can mass produce an EV version? This is basically the end of Dodge & Chrysler since Tavares clearly doesn’t have the time, attention or resources to spare keeping these 2 brands viable. He’s too busy placating European governments to care.
I’m amazed how they compare a 6.4 liter to 5.0 and fail to mention the 1.4 liter advantage. Seems to me that’s one hell of a 5.0 liter.