New Ford Mustang Vs. Old Dodge Challenger: Incoming and Outgoing Muscle Car Duel
The 2024 Ford Mustang celebrates the Blue Oval’s beloved pony car with the start of the model’s seventh generation (S650). However, one of its closest competitors, the old-school 2023 Dodge Challenger, will be the last model year of the Mopar muscle car. So, how does the outgoing brute compare with the new guy?
How much HP will the S650 Mustang have?
The new S650 Ford Mustang will pack a library of powerplants, starting with the 315-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost engine. Moreover, the new four-cylinder pony car will be the most powerful EcoBoost yet.
Further up the food chain, the V8-powered Ford Mustang GT will carry over the venerable 5.0L Coyote engine. It will produce 480 horsepower, making it the most powerful GT to date. However, fans who want more power can opt for Ford’s optional exhaust upgrade, which increases the figure to 486. Finally, the all-new Dark Horse will produce 500 horsepower, more power than the outgoing Mach 1.
However, despite the Mustang’s new face and lease on life, the top-trim 2023 Dodge Challengers out-muscle the incoming Ford model. For instance, the Hellcat Redeye produces 797 horsepower, nearly 300 more than the most ferocious new 2024 Mustang. Barring a supercharged Shelby addition to the Blue Oval’s lineup, the outgoing Mopar outguns the latest pony car.
Does the new Ford Mustang have a new interior?
Ford updated the Mustang’s interior for the new, seventh-generation car. For instance, the Blue Oval ditched the double-bubble brow dash and toggle switches for a clean, modern center stack with a much larger 13.2-inch touchscreen and Ford’s Sync 4 system.
Additionally, the center stack blends right into the Mustang’s 12.4-inch customizable display. The reimagined cockpit creates a panoramic assembly of screens. It’s a noticeable upgrade from the outgoing model’s best infotainment setup, namely an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3.
Compared to the new Ford model, the 2023 Dodge Challenger’s interior shows its age. The Dodge model’s retro-inspired analog gauges bookend a center digital display, but it’s diminutive compared to the new Ford pony car. Of course, fans who want daily driver practicality should remember that the Challenger is much more spacious. For instance, the Challenger’s 16.2 cubic feet of storage makes it the most accommodating coupe in the segment, per TrueCar.
Does the new Ford Mustang offer any special editions?
The 2024 Ford Mustang has the new Dark Horse special edition model, which replaces the outgoing Mach 1. It will produce 500 horsepower courtesy of a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 engine. Moreover, the Dark Horse will offer an optional Tremec six-speed manual transmission.
In comparison, Dodge is leaning heavily into the special edition market for its final Challenger and Charger model year. The automaker is releasing “Last Call” models on the Challenger and Charger platform to commemorate the namesakes’ tenure.
Is a Challenger cheaper than a Mustang?
The most affordable Challenger is the 2023 SXT trim, which starts at around $32,140. In comparison, the entry-level 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost starts at about $30,920. Moreover, the Mustang is cheaper than the Challenger across the trims.
