Since the dawn of time (or at least, since the 1960s), one of the most epic car battles has been the Mustang vs Camaro. Both two door coupes are zippy and sleek while also being on the more affordable end of things. With big changes happening in the car industry, it looks like these sports cars aren’t long for the world. Many companies, Ford and Chevrolet included, are redesigning their cars to include hybrid powertrains. The 2024 Camaro is the last year of the sixth generation models, and the Mustang just got a whole new redesign with an engine that is more powerful than ever. So, what better way to celebrate this iconic rivalry than to compare the Camaro vs Mustang?
Read along as we get into the nitty-gritty of these two classic American muscle cars. We’ll compare engines, transmissions, speed details, interiors, price, and more. Finally, we’ll let you in on a little secret for getting your hands on either a Mustang or Camaro while saving you thousands of dollars.
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse Guide
Mustang vs Camaro: 2024
The rivalry between the Camaro vs Mustang represents one of the most enduring battles in the automotive world. In fact, the Camaro was designed as a direct response to the Mustang, which debuted in 1964. Since then, these two American muscle cars have captured the hearts of enthusiasts for generations. While there are speculations about both companies preparing to discontinue gas-guzzlers, the Camaro and Mustang are still going strong, sparking passionate discussions across the country.
Both the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro offer exhilarating performance, but they do so in slightly different ways. The Mustang is often celebrated for its raw power, with its throaty V8 engines and rear-wheel-drive setup that provides the classic American muscle car experience. With Ford looking to create more sustainable vehicles, the base model of the Mustang comes with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that, while less zippy, still does a decent job. The Camaro, on the other hand, is known for its modern, aggressive design and superior handling, thanks to advanced suspension systems and aerodynamics. It offers a range of potent engine options, including V8s and V6s, which cater to a broad spectrum of buyers.
Traditionally, the Mustang and Camaro both came with the option of either a 2-door coupe or a 2-door convertible. In the current version of the Mustang, which represents the seventh generation of this powerful vehicle, some of the trim levels–like the Mustang GT and Dark Horse–only come as a fastback. The Camaro, however, offers both coupe and convertible styles for all seven of its trim levels.
Mustang GT vs Camaro SS
In any discussion of the Mustang vs Camaro, it’s simply a requirement to discuss the Mustang GT and the Camaro SS. Both the GT and the SS are designed as performance vehicles, catering to enthusiasts seeking uncompromising power and spirited driving experiences.
The Mustang GT is powered by Ford’s acclaimed 5-liter V8 engine, known as the Coyote. This engine produces a robust 486 hp and 418 pounds-per-feet of torque, resulting in blistering acceleration and a truly iconic V8 sound. With rear-wheel drive and a well-tuned suspension, the Mustang GT excels on the open road, offering a balanced mix of power and handling. It comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, which adds to the nostalgic feel of driving a classic muscle car, but a 10-speed automatic is available for an added cost of $1595.
On the other hand, we’ve got the Chevy Camaro SS, which features a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 455 hp and 455 pound-per-feet of torque. The Camaro SS boasts sharp handling dynamics, thanks to its modern chassis and advanced suspension systems. It offers a blend of power and precision that makes it a formidable competitor on the track as well as on the streets.
Mustang vs Camaro: Engines
One of the biggest differences you’ll see between the Mustang vs Camaro in 2024 is in the engines. First of all, the base model of the Mustang–the Mustang EcoBoost–comes standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces up to 315 hp and 350 pound-per-feet of torque. This engine will save you money on gas but is nowhere near as powerful as the V8s offered in the higher trim levels. For more power, you can look at the Mustang GT. This model comes with a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine, which is known as the Coyote. This impressive engine produces 480 hp and 415 pound-per-feet of torque, although if you choose the optional performance exhaust, you can see up to 486 hp and 481 pound-per-feet of torque. And finally, for those looking for real power, the Mustang Dark Horse’s V8 produces an astounding 500 hp.
In the 2024 Camaro, you’ve got a few different engine options. The base model comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces up to 335 hp–slightly more than the Mustang’s EcoBoost. For more power, both the LT1 and the SS come with a 6.2-liter V8 DI engine that produces 455 hp and 455 pound-per-feet of torque. And if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a 2024 Camaro ZL1, the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 can produce up to 655 hp, well over the Dark Horse. So if we’re comparing across the board, it looks like the 2024 Camaro takes the prize for the most impressive engines.
Transmissions
Whether you like the ease of an automatic transmission or the control of a manual, both the Mustang and the Camaro have options for either type. Starting off with the Mustang, a 10-speed automatic transmission comes standard in the EcoBoost, with no options for a manual. The advanced gearbox provides smooth and quick gear changes and enhances performance with its broad range of gear ratios. However, in the GT and Dark Horse, a six-speed manual transmission comes standard. For an extra $1595, you can change to an automatic, but it’s fair to assume that many people purchasing the GT or Dark Horse appreciate the sensory experience of a manual transmission. One of the big differences between the GT compared to the Dark Horse is the specific type of transmission offered. The GT comes with an MT-82 D4 6-speed manual transmission, which is nothing to write home about, but it works better than the first-gen MT-82s. The Dark Horse, however, comes equipped with a Tremec TR-3160, the same transmission used in the Mach 1 as well as the beloved Shelby GT350.
As with the Mustang, the Camaro comes with a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 10-speed automatic. The 6-speed manual is standard on all models of the Camaro, but you can opt for the automatic for an additional $1595. The automatic comes with paddle shifters for manual control when desired, which is essentially the best of both worlds.
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Speed
For most muscle car aficionados, 0 to 60 times are one of the most important specs to watch out for. Whether you’re into drag racing yourself, or simply curious, you’re probably dying to hear how the 2024 Camaro vs Mustang compare for speed. Since both vehicles have a variety of powertrains to choose from, the speeds reached vary depending on the specific trim.
Starting with the Camaro, the V6 engine comes on the base trim levels: 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT. With this engine, the Camaro can reach 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds. With the naturally aspirated V8, which comes standard in the LT1, 1SS, and 2SS, that time drops down to 4 seconds. And finally, the ZL1, which comes with a supercharged V8 engine, can reach 60 miles per hour in an amazing 3.5 seconds.
The Mustang’s base engine does even better than the Camaro’s base engine when it comes to speed. With the 2.3-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, Car and Driver tested the 2024 Mustang as reaching 60 miles-per-hour in 4.5 seconds. That outperforms the base engine of the Camaro by .5 seconds. The GT, equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, the 5.0-liter V8 engine, and the $4995 performance package, made it to 60 in 4.3 seconds (as tested by MotorTrend). When paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, that time went down to 3.9 seconds. And finally, when MotorTrend tested the Dark Horse, with its upgraded Coyote engine, they raced to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds. That’s not quite as fast as the ZL1, but when considering the difference in engines–the ZL1 producing over a hundred hp more than the Dark Horse–the Mustang does an impressive job.
Interiors
Another place you’ll see some major differences between the Mustang vs Camaro is in the interior. One of the most common complaints about the Camaro is the cramped interior. The front seats are comfortable enough, but the back seats are so small that they’re only usable for children. Plus, the windows are slim, which gives you a bigger blind spot. As far as technology, the 2024 Camaro comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with an intuitive user interface. Optional ambient lighting is a fun addition if you’re willing to pay about $1300. For most trim levels, cloth seats are standard, but you can opt for leather seats and Recaro bucket seats for more comfort.
Just like the Camaro, the 2024 Mustang interior offers very little room in the back seats. It’s perhaps a bit more spacious than the Camaro, but still not comfortable for use by adults. One huge difference between the Mustang vs Camaro is in the touchscreen that comes standard. Even in the lowest trim levels, the Mustang comes with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. These two large screens are customizable so you can make the interior your own. The 2024 Mustang comes standard with cloth seats, but faux and genuine leather upgrades are available. And like the Camaro, ambient lighting is available in the Premium packages.
Price
Both the Mustang and the Camaro are known for their affordability when compared to other popular muscle cars. Their prices come in a wide range, with the top end being around $40,000 more for the Camaro and $33,000 more for the Mustang.
Still, when looking at the base trims of both the 2024 Camaro and the 2024 Mustang, the starting prices are pretty reasonable. The Camaro 1LT starts at $32,495 and the Mustang EcoBoost Starts at $30,920.
Here’s a breakdown of the starting cost for each vehicle:
1LT: $32,495
2LT: $34,495
3LT: $38,495
LT1: $40,395
1SS: $43,895
2SS: $48,895
ZL1: $73,695
EcoBoost: $30,920
EcoBoost Premium: $36,445
GT: $42,495
GT Premium: $47,015
Dark Horse: $59,270
Dark Horse Premium: $63,265
How to Get One for Less
So, we’ve compared the 2024 Mustang vs Camaro, and both cars continue to impress, showing us why they’ve been competing for the top spot for decades. Whether you prefer the angular Camaro or the sleek Mustang, you can be sure you’re getting a vehicle that looks cool and moves fast.
So how can you get your hands on a 2024 Mustang or Camaro and save money? The answer is Katzkin! By purchasing one of the lower trim levels, you can save thousands of dollars. Then, Katzkin can upgrade your interior to real leather seats installed by a professional. You get to choose the material, colors, and details, with hundreds of options. Plus, Katzkin can add heated and ventilated seats to really improve the comfort of your muscle car. With our quality guarantee, you can be sure Katzkin will give you the interior of your dreams.
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