Dodge Charger Vs. Ford Mustang Comparison & Differences
Comparing the Dodge Charger vs. Mustang begins with one easy question. Would you like a muscle car, or would you like a muscle car that can haul all your friends, family, and gear along for the ride? If you'd prefer the latter, you'd prefer a Dodge Charger. But the Charger is much more than just the sole survivor of the four-door muscle car class.
It's a premium muscle car that offers competition-exceeding standard features, untouchable available power, intimidating looks, the unmistakable HEMI rumble, and a comfortable, impressively spacious cabin. Learn more with our Charger vs. Mustang comparison guide, and contact the DARCARS team to set up a Charger test drive.
2022 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
| Starting Price: | $49,1403 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 6.4L HEMI V8 |
| Horsepower: | 485 hp @ 6,350 rpm |
| Torque: | 475 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm |
| Transmission: | 8-speed automatic |
| EPA-Estimated MPGs: | 15 City / 24 Highway2 |
| Shop Model: | Shop Dodge Charger |
2022 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
| Price: | $43,0654 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 |
| Horsepower: | 450 @ 5,500rpm |
| Torque: | 410 Pound-Feet @ 4,600 rpm |
| Transmission: | 6-Speed Manual Transmission |
| EPA-Estimated MPGs: | 15 City / 24 Highway1 |
| Shop Model: | Find A Local Dealer |
Compare Dodge Charger to Ford Mustang Performance
From top to bottom, the Dodge Charger vs. Mustang power levels favor the Charger.
How so? The Mustang EcoBoost does score a base-level win with 310 horsepower vs. the Charger SXT sedan's 292 horsepower, but the Charger SXT makes that power with regular 87-octane gasoline; the Mustang EcoBoost requires premium 93-octane fuel to reach its full power potential.
Starting the Dodge Charger vs. Mustang V-8 ferocity, the Charger R/T offers a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with 370 horsepower, the Scat Pack unleashes a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 with 485 horsepower, and the Hellcat Redeye Widebody explodes to life with 797 horsepower from its 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8.
The Mustang, meanwhile, has a 5.0-liter V-8 engine or a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine. V-8 Mustangs have between 450 and 760 horsepower.
Interestingly, Dodge Charger vs. Mustang efficiency can reveal that the Mustang offers less power for the same MPGs.
For example, a Mustang GT Fastback with its standard transmission makes 450 horsepower and delivers an EPA-estimated 15/24 MPG (city/highway).1The Charger Scat Pack makes 485 horsepower yet delivers the same EPA-estimated 15/24 MPG (city/highway).2
2022 Dodge Charger vs. 2022 Ford Mustang Interior Comparison
Dodge Charger vs. Mustang interiors begin with the doors; a Mustang has two, and a Charger has four.
The Mustang can carry four occupants, but the two passengers in the back seats may be cramped with the model's 29.2-inches of legroom. The Charger treats your rear-seat passengers to a whopping 40.1-inches of legroom.
The Charger treats everyone to such spaciousness with its 105 cubic foot passenger volume, while the Mustang tops out at 82.6 cubic feet of passenger volume. Moreso, Dodge Charger vs. Ford Mustang trunk space sees the Charger fit 16.5 cubic feet of cargo, and the Mustang falters with a 13.5 cubic foot cargo limit.
More importantly, a Charger lets you enjoy all this space with Mustang-shaming standard features.
Among them, the Mustang has a standard four-way manual driver's seat and single-zone climate control; the Charger offers a standard eight-way power driver's seat and dual-zone climate control. Both muscle cars give you a standard six-speaker sound system and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Ford Mustang vs. Dodge Charger infotainment screens reveal that the Mustang has a standard 4.2-inch touch-screen while the Charger has a standard 7-inch touch-screen.
Dodge Charger vs. Mustang Price & Trims
Embark on new or used Dodge Charger research, and you'll find a wide variety of trims that suit every lifestyle. For a new model, the Dodge Charger offers the following trims:
- Dodge Charger SXT: Starting price of $32,645 MSRP3
- Dodge Charger GT: Starting price of $35,345 MSRP3
- Dodge Charger R/T: Starting price of $42,780 MSRP3
- Dodge Charger Scat Pack: Starting price of $49,140 MSRP3
- Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody: Starting price of $54,835 MSRP3
- Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody: Starting price of $88,140 MSRP3
Over in the Mustang's stable, you can find:
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback: Starting price of $27,470 MSRP4
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback: Starting price of $32,495 MSRP4
- Ford Mustang GT Fastback: Starting price of $38,045 MSRP4
- Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback: Starting price of $43,065 MSRP4
- Ford Mustang Mach 1: Starting price of $56,270 MSRP4
- Ford Mustang Mach 1 Premium: Starting price of $58,365 MSRP4
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Starting price of $79,420 MSRP4
Consider the Dodge Charger vs. Mustang standard features; the base-trim Charger SXT is closer-matched to the Mustang EcoBoost Premium, bringing an effective tie for pricing.
Discover The Final Generation Dodge Charger Today
Sadly, the 2023 model year will be the last time a new Dodge Charger roars into battle and smacks down competing muscle cars. If you'd like to get a taste of this last hurrah of HEMI fury, contact the DARCARS team to explore our new and used Dodge Charger inventory with a test drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Dodge Charger better than a Ford Mustang?
The Dodge Charger is better than the Mustang in many ways. It offers more interior room, adult-accommodating rear seats, a larger trunk, more available power, equal MPGs in comparable trims, more standard luxuries, a larger standard touch-screen display, more engine options in its arsenal, and, in our opinion, more aggressive muscle-car style.
Which Dodge Charger is the fastest?
The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye is the fastest of the bunch. With a 797 horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 screaming to life and sending power to the rear wheels, this monster rips from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and onto a top track speed of 203 mph.
Do Dodge Chargers last long?
A Dodge Charger is a robust performance sedan that's built to last. As with any car, though, its lifespan can vary with factors like regular maintenance and driving habits. But, when a Dodge Charger is given the proper maintenance and consistently driven smoothly, it can last for 200,000 miles or more. When factoring in an average yearly mileage of 15,000 miles, this means a Dodge Charger can last for upwards of 13 years.
1EPA estimated 15 city / 24 hwy MPG with 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Actual mileage may vary.
2EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
3MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.
4MSRP for base vehicle. Excludes destination/delivery fee plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge. Optional equipment not included. Starting A, Z and X Plan price is for qualified, eligible customers and excludes document fee, destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration. Not all vehicles qualify for A, Z or X Plan. All Mustang Shelby GT350® and Shelby® GT350R prices exclude gas guzzler tax.