2020 Ford Mustang vs 2020 Porsche 911

The 2020 Porsche 911 was a head-turner in Miami, reminiscent of the car Will Smith drove in "Bad Boys For Life." Renting a dark blue 2020 Carrera S with only 2,000 miles on it was an unexpected delight. The new 992 model's design enhancements, such as the widebody styling, vertical slats on the engine cover, and a single thin taillight wrapping around the back, made it stand out. The interior, though minimalist, could be luxurious with the right upgrades, but the base model felt disappointingly cheap for its price.

The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt paid homage to Steve McQueen's iconic car from the movie "Bullitt." Painted in Dark Highland Green, it featured subtle chrome accents and retro Torque Thrust-style 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Bullitt had unique green stitching, a white cue-ball shifter knob, and a serialized plaque. The Mustang Bullitt's base MSRP was $47,705, but with additional options, it could reach $54,290. Despite some cheap plastic interior pieces, the Bullitt's nostalgic appeal and performance made it a desirable choice.

The 2020 Porsche 911 excelled in performance, with its unbendable chassis and immense rear grip. The Carrera and Carrera 4 models featured a 3.0-liter flat-six engine with twin turbos, producing 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. The Carrera S and 4S models offered even more power, with 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 911's eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) was standard, while a seven-speed manual was available for the S and 4S models. The 911's staggered-diameter tires and adaptive suspension options provided a firm yet comfortable ride. Fuel economy for the Carrera S with PDK was 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2020 Ford Mustang lineup ranged from the 310-horsepower EcoBoost Fastback to the 760-horsepower Shelby GT500. The Mustang Bullitt, based on the Mustang GT, featured a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Bullitt's six-speed manual transmission included downshift rev-matching for smoother driving. The GT Performance Package added structural bracing, improved engine cooling, and Brembo brakes. The Mustang Bullitt's fuel economy was 14 mpg city, 23 highway, and 17 combined. The car's performance and driving modes allowed for a customizable driving experience, from daily commutes to track days.

The 2020 Porsche 911 offered supportive front seats and large windows for easy visibility. The cabin's simplicity focused on driving, with a few toggle switches for essential functions. The infotainment system was fast and user-friendly, with a motion sensor for additional menu choices. The 911 provided 5 cubic feet of front trunk space and 9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The convertible model's soft-top could be raised or lowered in 12 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. The 911's design made it easy to use, park, and drive daily.

The 2020 Ford Mustang's rear seat was cramped, but the Fastback model comfortably accommodated two adults. The trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, suitable for a week-long road trip. The Mustang Bullitt featured standard black leather seats with six-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Optional Recaro performance seats provided better bolstering but lacked power adjustment and heating. The Mustang's interior had some ergonomic issues, but overall, it balanced style and function for a muscle car.

The 2020 Porsche 911 came standard with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and high-resolution touchscreens. Porsche Connect provided remote functions and onboard LTE WiFi. However, the base stereo system was underwhelming, and many desirable features were part of the Premium package. Advanced options included a night-vision camera, Porsche InnoDrive, and various performance enhancements like dynamic engine mounts and tire temperature sensors.

The 2020 Ford Mustang excelled in performance technology, with adjustable steering effort, active exhaust modes, and multiple driving modes. The 12-inch digital instrumentation cluster and Sync 3 infotainment system, though aging, offered Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Mustang also featured separate stereo and climate controls for ease of use.

The 2020 Porsche 911 had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection and front/rear parking sensors. Optional features were lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt lacked many semi-autonomous safety features, appealing to purists. It included a reversing camera, MyKey technology, and optional blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The Mustang received good crash-test ratings from IIHS and five stars from NHTSA in all tests.