Known for their power, roaring engines and speed, high-performance cars have always lured car enthusiasts. Pony cars are a highly recognised category of high-performing vehicles. A little less powerful than the mightier muscle cars, many iconic vehicles have been produced as pony cars. The two highly famous contenders in this regard are the Dodge Challenger and the Ford Mustang. Driving these legendary vehicles while listening to their roaring engines is a dream come true for many car geeks.
Let’s compare the design, specs and other features of the Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang. Comparing the two vehicles side-by-side will help us know which of the two pony cars stands out.
Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang: The Pony Car Showdown
Whether someone prefers muscle or pony cars, the two names – Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger – often rival each other. To start detailing the spec sheet for both cars, we’ll first explore the performance specifications.
Ford Mustang vs Dodge Challenger: Performance Specifications
The Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger are both performance-oriented nameplates. Based on historical facts, pony cars were inspired by the concept of muscle cars. Comparatively, pony cars come with slightly toned down yet powerful engine blocks.
First, let’s explore the engine specifications of the Dodge Challenger. The car comes with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine. With these impressive specs, the car can generate a whopping 797 horsepower. Other available engine configurations include a 392 Hemi V8 engine, a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine and a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine. The name ‘Hemi engine’ has been derived from the hemispherical combustion chambers found in this class of engine.
According to Ford Mustang’s history, the car has always come with impressive engine specs. For instance, its latest model has a 5.0-litre V8 engine that churns out 460 horsepower. There is also a Ford EcoBoost model that comes with a 2.3-litre engine.
Ford Mustang comes with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD). However, the Challenger comes with both RWD and AWD systems. Moreover, the Challenger offers both an 8-speed auto transmission and a 6-speed manual transmission. On the other hand, the Ford Mustang comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang Specs and Trims
One of the interesting facts about Dodge is that it emphasises exterior enhancement for its nameplates. The same thing can be noticed in the Dodge Challenger. The available trims of the Challenger in the UAE include GT, R/T, R/T Scat Back Widebody and SRT Hellcat Redeye Wide Body.
The R/T in the trim name stands for Road Track, a common naming convention for Dodge vehicles. Similarly, the Hellcat Modifications in Dodge cars also make them stand out.
The available car trim levels of the Ford Mustang nameplate include EcoBoost 101A, EcoBoost 201A, GT 5.0 301A, GT 5.0 401A and Mach1 700A. An interesting fact about Ford Mustang is that ever since its launch, the pony car’s production has remained consistent. Given its widespread popularity, the Mustang nameplate has evolved into so many different trims.
Ford Mustang vs Dodge Challenger Comparison: Exterior Specs
Ford Mustang comes with a fastback car body type, designed for a commanding yet sporty appearance. Except for the EcoBoost 101A and GT 5.0 301A, the option of a hardtop convertible is available for all trims.
The sporty character lines of the car’s exterior are enhanced by its aggressive-style headlamps. Another thing that adds to the exterior appeal of the car is its 19-inch alloy wheels available with black-painted wheels for certain trims. Ford Mustang buyers can choose from 11 different exterior colours in the UAE.
An iconic exterior feature that has been a part of generations of the Dodge Challenger is its hood scoop. The Dodge Challenger’s exterior profile has gotten chunkier with time. The latest model of the pony car has an added width to its fenders. There are black-painted 20-inch alloy or carbon wheels available with the car that further enhance its muscular profile.
Even the headlamps of the Dodge Challenger contribute to the car’s aerodynamics. The car comes equipped with purpose-built Air-Catcher headlights with an integrated air-inlet system. Moreover, the Dodge Challenger comes with a range of 14 different exterior colours, which makes customisation easier.
| Feature | Challenger | Mustang |
| Length | 5,027 mm | 4,798 mm |
| Width | 1,922 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Width with Side Mirrors | 2,169 mm | 2,080 mm |
| Height | 1,465 mm | 1,399 mm |
Disclaimer: Note that the aforementioned dimensions may vary for different trim levels based on the installed car exterior accessories.
Available Exterior Colours
The availability of wide-ranging exterior hues for both pony cars reflects the deep-rooted history of car colours. Here’s the list of available exterior colours for the Challenger vs Mustang.
Dodge Challenger
- Destroyer Gray
- F8 Green
- Frostbite
- Granite
- Octane Red
- B5 Blue
- Pitch Black
- Sublime
- Plum Crazy
- TorRed
- Go Mango
- White Knuckle
- Cinnamon
- Triple Nickel
Ford Mustang
- Ingot Silver
- Metallic Oxford White
- Kona Blue
- Magnetic Metallic
- Shadow Black
- Triple Yellow Tri-Coat
- Race Red
- Lightning Blue
- Metallic Ruby Red
- Royal Crimson
- Orange Fury
Interior Differences Between Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang
The Dodge Challenger may come with a two-door design but its interior has ample capacity. Equipped with a class-exclusive seating arrangement, the car can accommodate up to five passengers. Besides the spacious interior, the Dodge Challenger has state-of-the-art car infotainment system features ensuring safety and convenience.
The connectivity in the Challenger is based on Dodge Uconnect, an integrated 8.4-inch touchscreen. For entertainment and utility, the Dodge Challenger comes with the support of both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
According to the Ford Mustang’s history, the pony car’s interior has long been known for the comfort it offers. The car comes with a six-way adjustable driver seat and 4-way adjustable passenger seats. The car’s interior also packs dual-zone climate control.
Adding to the Ford Mustang experience is its in-car entertainment features. The features are connected with FordPass. This platform syncs the information from the Ford vehicle with a mobile app, adding to the user’s convenience. For in-car entertainment, Ford also offers the compatibility of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ford Mustang vs Dodge Challenger: Safety Features
On-road safety has been given special consideration in both pony cars. To improve visibility at night, the Dodge Challenger has automatic high beams. These cars detect the intensity of light beams from oncoming traffic and switch between low and high beams automatically.
Another thing that protects the Dodge Challenger against theft is a security alarm with a cutting-edge intrusion module. Similarly, the Ford Mustang also comes with a perimeter alarm mechanism. When activated, the system deters unauthorised access to the car. The ISOFIX Child Car Seat is also available in both the Mustang and Challenger.
Let’s compare some safety features of the pony cars side by side.
| Features | Challenger | Mustang |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic stability control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction control | Yes | Yes |
| Blind-spot monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Rear cross-traffic alert | Yes | Yes |
| Lane departure warning | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive cruise control (Depending on Trim Levels) | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Front and Side Airbags (Total 6) | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Active Torque Vectoring | Yes | Yes |
Mustang vs Challenger Price
The starting price of a brand-new Ford Mustang is AED 183,645. Similarly, buying a new Dodge Challenger in the UAE would cost as low as AED 219,900.
Those looking for these pony cars with a little lower price tags can browse the pre-owned market. For instance, a used Ford Mustang for sale in the UAE has an average cost between AED 77,700 and AED 148,800 for model years 2019-22.
For the Challenger fans, the price tag gets a little steeper. Case in point: buying a pre-owned Dodge Challenger in the UAE costs around AED 83,500-192,700 for models between 2019 and 2022. The Challenger is loved by its fans for a host of reasons. For starters, here are some fascinating facts about the Dodge Challenger.
FAQs
Is a Challenger better than a Mustang?
Both the pony cars have a dedicated fan following. The Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger are high-performance cars, powered by either V6 or v8 engines. Featured on the silver screen multiple times, these are also among the iconic movie cars.
Which is more expensive, the Mustang or Challenger?
The starting price of the latest Ford Mustang model year is AED 232,995. Similarly, the price tag of a brand-new Dodge Challenger is AED 219,900.
Will there be a Dodge Challenger in 2024?
The story of the Dodge Challenger is coming to an end. The nameplate will not be renewed for the 2024 lineup. That said, the car can still be bought in new and used condition across the country. Besides, there are many other popular used American cars in the UAE for motorists to pick from.
This brings us to the end of our Ford Mustang vs Dodge Challenger comparison. Besides muscle and pony cars, sports cars are known for their record-breaking speed and performance. For curious car enthusiasts, here is a detailed comparison of muscle cars vs sports cars.
From sports cars to daily-driven vehicles, the pre-owned market has a myriad of options. To have an idea of the available options, browse these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Keep following dubizzle’s auto blog for more comparisons between famous makes and models.
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