2020 Dodge Challenger vs 2021 Ford Mustang

The 2020 Dodge Challenger was a modern homage to its 1970s predecessor, maintaining a muscular silhouette with design updates over the years. Its recessed headlights and grille gave it a menacing look, hinting at the performance potential beneath. Inside, the Challenger featured a driver-focused cockpit with a blend of modern and vintage elements, including a semi-digital instrument panel and a modern infotainment screen. Despite its attempts to marry old and new, some found the design slightly dated. The Challenger offered nine trims, each providing a unique driving experience, from the base SXT with 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen to the high-performance SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody with a dual-intake hood scoop. Leather seating was available on most models, and the 2020 lineup introduced new colors like Frostbite and Hellrasin.

The 2021 Ford Mustang continued to evolve its iconic design, blending retro elements with modern touches. Its flowing lines and aggressive front-end signaled a car built for driving excitement. Inside, the Mustang combined classic-style switches with modern digital screens, offering a noticeable improvement in quality over competitors like the Camaro. The Mustang's trim lineup included the EcoBoost, GT, and the new Mach 1, each offering distinct features and performance levels. Standard features on the base EcoBoost included 17-inch alloy wheels and a 4.2-inch touchscreen, while the EcoBoost Premium added amenities like dual-zone climate control and the Sync 3 infotainment system. The GT trim introduced a 5.0-liter V8 engine, and the Mach 1 further enhanced performance with components from the Shelby GT350. The Mach 1 also featured a fully-digital instrument panel and optional packages for added customization.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque in the SXT and GT trims. These models featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. The R/T trim introduced a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 475 hp and 410 lb-ft with a 6-speed manual, or 372 hp and 400 lb-ft with the automatic. The R/T Scat Pack upgraded to a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, offering 485 hp and 475 lb-ft, along with Brembo brakes and launch control. The Hellcat models boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 717 hp and 656 lb-ft, while the Hellcat Redeye cranked up to 797 hp and 707 lb-ft. The Challenger's SRT Performance Pages allowed for extensive customization of drive modes and performance metrics, making it a versatile sports coupe or performance machine.

The 2021 Ford Mustang's performance began with the EcoBoost trim, featuring a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The EcoBoost High-Performance Package increased output to 330 hp. The GT trim was powered by a 5.0-liter V8, delivering 460 hp and 420 lb-ft, providing thrilling straight-line acceleration and cornering power. The new Mach 1 featured the GT's V8 with an additional 20 hp, totaling 480 hp. The Mach 1's 10-speed automatic transmission kept the engine in the optimal rev range, while the drive-mode selector offered various settings for different driving conditions. The Mach 1 also included Brembo brakes, MagneRide control, and chassis components from the GT350, enhancing its performance capabilities.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger stood out with its spacious cabin, offering ample legroom and decent headroom for a coupe. Its rear-seat legroom was impressive, and a quick-release latch provided easy access to the back seats. However, the retro styling and large rear pillars limited visibility. The Challenger offered 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing the Camaro's 9.1 cubic feet and the Mustang's 13.5 cubic feet. The traditional rear-wheel-drive setup resulted in a large center console, but helpful storage cubbies were available in the doors. The AWD version had a larger hump in the front passenger footwell due to additional drivetrain components.

The 2021 Ford Mustang provided 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space in the fastback coupe and 11.4 cubic feet in the convertible. While not as spacious as the Challenger, it was better than the Camaro's offerings. The Mustang's rear seats were not ideal for adults, with limited legroom when the front seats were adjusted for comfort. The front seats offered power adjustments, but the lack of power adjustment for the seat-back felt cheap. Despite this, the seats were well-bolstered and supportive for long drives or spirited cornering.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring the Uconnect interface, known for its intuitive layout and ease of use. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless integration with mobile devices. The available Uconnect 8.4 offered a larger screen and Garmin-based navigation. Higher trims included an Alpine premium stereo system with a 276-watt amplifier. The Challenger's digital display in the instrument panel provided logical menu layouts, ensuring drivers could access information without distraction.

The 2021 Ford Mustang's base model featured a 4.2-inch color display and voice controls, while the Premium trim offered the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Sync 3 supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a user-friendly layout and crisp graphics. However, when using CarPlay or Android Auto, the screen was fully taken over, requiring navigation back to the Sync app for other functions. The lack of a physical home button was a notable omission compared to competitors like Chevrolet.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and brake assist. Optional safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path alert. The Challenger received four out of five stars in front driver's side crash testing by the NHTSA and five stars for front passenger side testing. It earned a "Good" score in many IIHS crash tests but received a "Marginal" overall score.

The 2021 Ford Mustang came standard with the CoPilot360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Rain-sensing wipers and automatic high beams were also standard. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were available as options. The Mustang offered better visibility compared to the Challenger and Camaro, providing solid sight lines for drivers.