When the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang both debuted, the Camaro SS handily outperformed its rival. But, things have changed since then. Chevrolet rolled out the Camaro SS 1LE and Ford has a refreshed Mustang to do battle with—and it brought an optional performance package with it.
Do the extra performance goodies help the Mustang finally outgun the Camaro? Not in Motor Trend’s latest comparison.
The publication broke down the comparison into two parts: “cowboy science,” noise, burnouts and all the other fun stuff, and actual measured tests. Here, the 2018 Mustang GT with its performance pack won the former. It was louder, sounded better, and ripped gnarly burnout all day.
But, the Camaro SS 1LE downright outperformed it in every other way. The Camaro was quicker to 60 mph, stopped significantly earlier, gripped better and clocked a 3.3-second quicker time around Streets of Willow.
We’ve said before that the Camaro team has taken great care to morph its pony car into a true sports car, and that continues to ring true. Now, we’ll have to wait and see what Ford has in store when the Mustang GT’s “Performance Pack 2” releases later this year.
Comments
Great performance which makes me happy. Still looks like a cartoon car.
Both were manuals, which on both vehicles are actually slower…The MY18 Mustang with the 10 speed is quicker than the MY18 Camaro…This back and forth rivalry ensures innovations so let’s hope the refreshed MY19 Camaro w/auto beats the MY19 Mustang…
If straight line performance is the only metric one judges a car by, there a lot is left on the table. And differences now days in straight line performance are negligible. How a car feels and comports itself in a corner is the most important factor for me.
I have been driving BMW 3-Series cars for years now, and the only Pony that comes close, and now even exceeds the feel and comportment of a 3-Series is the new Camaro.
I couldn’t see how Ford was going to challenge the Camaro in the Chassis department, and it sounds like they can’t quite reach that high on the current platform. The specs on the ‘PP-1’ and ‘PP-2’ don’t measure up to the 1LE, and if they were apples to apples, there would still be chassis issues for the Mustang.
I have spent a fair amount of time in both cars, and the Mustang feels like your driving a sedan with its upright seating, and feels quite heavy in comparison. The Camaro is just a different animal, with a very sporty nature that just thrills in the twisties.
I’ve been saying the same for a while now. I’ve driven both the Mustang and the Camaro. And as you say, the Mustang isn’t even in the same league dynamic wise. When comparing the two, there is only one driver’s car between the two; the Camaro.
In fact as you say, the Camaro is easily on par with driving greats such as the best RWD sedans and coupes from Europe and Japan. Even the 4 cylinder oozes a taunt aggressive, yet supple ride and excellent steering and balance. I like the Mustang visually, but from the moment you get comfortable and begin to ride down the road, it’s clear the Mustang is more ‘poser’ than performance, all luxo coupe ride and seating position with the bark of a great v8 and racy retro gauges and dash cladding, but yet; no driver’s car pedigree.