Top 5 Most Fuel-Efficient Muscle Cars
Fuel efficiency and muscle cars like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Chevrolet Camaro are often mutually exclusive terms. However, times are changing, and the watch-the-needle-move fuel economy of thunderous V8-powered muscle cars is giving way to more economical power plants, like the EcoBoost. Still, it doesn’t mean that these time capsules are dead; they are just changing. To that end, here are the top five most fuel-efficient muscle cars on sale today!
- Dodge Challenger SXT
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost
- Chevrolet Camaro 1LT
- Chevrolet Camaro LT1
- Ford Mustang GT
Which muscle car has the best fuel economy?
Believe it or not, the Dodge Challenger SXT barely tops the list of muscle cars with the best fuel economy. The healthy horsepower and torque of the 3.6L Pentastar V6 provide effortless highway cruising, even with the SXT’s 3,841lb curb weight. Specifically, the SXT manages 30 mpg at highway speeds. However, moving that much weight from a standstill is difficult and keeps the city economy down to 19 mpg.
Is the Ford Mustang EcoBoost worth it?
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost packs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the Mustang lineup. An EcoBoost gets 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway. Furthermore, you might think that the lack of two cylinders would make the EcoBoost suffer in the power department. However, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost produces 310 horsepower from its 2.3L engine, seven more than the V6 Challenger.
What engine is in a 1LT Camaro?
The Chevrolet Camaro 1LT packs a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That makes it the least powerful car on this list and a solid choice for a fuel-efficient muscle car. The Camaro will manage 19 mpg on city streets and 28 mpg at highway speeds. While those numbers are respectable, they aren’t quite up to the standards of the Ford Mustang EcoBoost.
How is the V8-powered Chevrolet Camaro LT1 a fuel-efficient muscle car?
You might think there’s no way that the Chevrolet Camaro LT1 could be fuel efficient, but it’s not far off in this group. The 6.2L V8-powered LT1 gets 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg at highway speeds. While that may not seem like numbers you would associate with “efficient,” it’s not bad for the power. The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 produces 455 horsepower, putting it well ahead of a comparable Dodge Challenger R/T.
Is the Ford Mustang GT fuel efficient?
The 2022 Ford Mustang GT manages 15 mpg in the city and 24 mpg at highway speeds. However, the GT makes up for that 1.0 mpg city you sacrifice compared to the Chevrolet Camaro LT1. According to TrueCar, a 2021 Mustang GT produces 460 horsepower from its DOHC 5.0 Coyote V8, five more than the Camaro.
Which one should you buy?
If you want a coupe with the retro styling of a muscle car and tolerable fuel economy figures, consider the Dodge Challenger SXT. If you want a muscle car physique with a convertible top, you’re better off with a Ford Mustang EcoBoost. However, it is difficult to beat the Ford Mustang GT’s 5.0 V8 and S550 styling if you’re looking for the fairest compromise of power and economy.
Scroll down to the following article to read more about cars like the Mustang and Challenger!
