A silver 2019 Chevy Camaro RS convertible wins the 2019 Chevy Camaro vs 2019 Ford Mustang

Join the Debate: 2019 Chevy Camaro vs 2019 Ford Mustang

 

The debate between the 2019 Chevy Camaro vs 2019 Ford Mustang has been raging for decades, and there really doesn’t seem to be a winner. Depending on whether you’re on team Mustang or on team Camaro seems to depend mostly on personal preference and nostalgia. These two sports cars have plenty of things in common with each other, making the debate that much harder to solve.

Both the Camaro and the Mustang come in coupe or convertible body types, both have sharp handling, flashy exteriors, and are purportedly fun to drive. The 2019 Chevy Camaro has a refined powertrain which gives it even better performance, while the Mustang offers more cargo space. Depending on what you value, you can make the case for either of these sports cars.

Here’s a look at how these powerhouses break down:

Engine and Fuel-Efficiency

Neither of these vehicles would be such renowned sports cars if they didn’t boast excellent performance capabilities. Needless to say, you won’t be disappointed with either car’s power or performance.

In the Camaro, you’ll find a 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder base engine, that’s no joke! You can choose to upgrade to either a 335-horsepower V6, a 455-horsepower V8, or a 650-horsepower supercharged V8 depending on whether you want to extra boost. No matter which engine you choose, you’ll get thrilling acceleration and plenty of power to drive around town or on the highway. For muscle worthy of a race track, opt for a high-performance V8 engine.

Like the Camaro, the Mustang gives you a choice of engine to customize how heart-pounding your next ride will be. The two regular engines available for the Mustang are a 310-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a 460-horsepower V8. The 5.0-liter V8 engine will satisfy even the bravest thrill-seekers.

Typically, you don’t associate fuel efficiency with a sports car, that isn’t really the point. But it certainly is a nice perk for those deciding to turn in their boring ride for a beast ready to speed along the road. The Camaro’s V6 engine will get you 19 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. For the best fuel efficiency in a 2019 Camaro, go with the turbo-four engine which gets 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. If you go with the standard four-cylinder engine on a new Mustang, you can get an outstanding EPA-estimated 21 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. This is extremely high for a car providing such great horsepower. Fuel economy with the V8 dips slightly, going down to 16 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, which is more typical on a sports car.

Handling and Performance

When it comes to comparing the 2019 Chevy Camaro vs 2019 Ford Mustang in terms of handling and performance, things get a little difficult. It’s like comparing a lobster dinner with a steak dinner, both are someone’s favorite and not necessarily better than the other. Both of these sports cars have powerful engines that will have you accelerating quickly and flying down the road. The Camaro is known for its incredible agility and for being a smooth ride. If you’re planning to take the Ford Mustang on windy roads, its rapidly adjusting suspension system will do the job. Similarly, the Camaro’s sharp steering and sturdy brakes will keep you safe and have you zooming around. Both of these cars are RWD as well, another reason they’re so similar.

Interior

A closeup of the information cluster on a 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1

Like many sports cars, both the 2019 Chevy Camaro and the 2019 Ford Mustang technically have room for four people, but in practice are really designed to transport just one lucky driver. You can definitely fit more people in, but one of the joys of a sports car is enjoying the freedom of driving something so powerful on the open road in solitude. With only two doors to enter the Camaro or the Mustang, sliding into the back seats can be challenging. In the front, however, both of these vehicles are designed to have comfortable and supportive seats, so you can go further without needing a break.

Both the Camaro and the Mustang offer decent cargo space, with the Mustang offering slightly more because of its design. You’ll have about 9 cubic feet of trunk space in coupe models and a little over 7 cubic feet in convertible models of the Camaro. This should be enough room for a trip to the grocery store, but you probably don’t want to try to fit the whole family and their luggage in if you’re heading to the airport. There’s more cargo space in the Mustang, but only slightly. In the Mustang Fastback trim, you’ll get a generous 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space. This is enough for about two sets of golf clubs, but not a whole lot else.

When you ride in a 2019 Chevy Camaro, you’ll be surrounded by attractive and stylish cabin features. However, you’ll probably be more focused on your ride’s superb handling and power on the road to spend too much time looking around. For Mustang drivers, one of the main criteria is for the inside cabin to look similar to its predecessors. You’ll find the retro design of older muscle cars as well as some hard plastics and modern touches.

Features

Just because both of these sports cars are steeped in history and offer a feeling of nostalgia to drivers doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty of modern features. In the 2019 Chevy Camaro you’ll get standard features which include an Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen, a six-speaker audio system, two USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. These features make the Camaro the perfect vehicle for road tripping and spending hours on the road in. You can also get features like a sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, and satellite radio to make your ride even more fun!

Just like the Camaro, the Mustang offers some high-tech features that set it apart from sports cars of the past. You’ll find an infotainment system which comes standard and has easy to use menus. If you want to pay a little extra, you can upgrade to Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment interface which is a system that includes a wider touch screen, enhanced smartphone integration, and a Wi-Fi hot spot so that you can stay connected to the outside world while on the road. For a techy driver, you can even get a 12-inch all-digital instrument cluster and a voice-activated navigation system.

So, Which is Better?

Neither of these sports cars is “better” overall. Each brings its own unique style to the table, and you’ll probably prescribe to one school of thought or the other. The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro will give you a little more power on the road, while the 2019 Ford Mustang will be able to haul slightly more of your stuff around with it. Both sports cars offer classic designs with modern features built in. The Mustang will get you good gas mileage and the Camaro will handle superbly around tight turns at high speed. Depending on what you value more in a sports car, you can choose either a convertible or coupe style and hit the road in your new, classic sports car!