The Dodge Charger wants to be a sports car. And it’s trying really, really hard. With a standard V6 engine and rear-wheel drive, it is hard to forget that is technically a family sedan. So is the Charger ready to compete with a true sports car? Looking at the 2016 Ford Mustang vs the 2016 Dodge Charger can lead to some interesting conclusions.
Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger Performance Capabilities
Since this is a comparison examining the Charger’s ability to function as a sports car, it makes sense to look at the performance-oriented variants of each car first. The Charger’s highest trim has the best argument in this quest to earn recognition as a sports car. This Charger trim is no slouch, coming equipped with Dodge’s supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat engine and its 707-horsepower.
For the best Mustang performance, the Shelby GT350 model is the way to go. This car offers drivers a 5.2-liter V8 that produces 526 horsepower. However, even with a distinct horsepower disadvantage, the sports car nature of the Mustang Shelby GT350 allows it to match the Charger Hellcat’s performance, jumping from zero to 60 miles in almost the exact same amount of time. The Mustang is also available in both coupe and convertible body styles, while the Charger will never make you forget that it is a four-door sedan.
Mustang Fuel Economy Estimates
It is also interesting to look at the inverse of this argument and examine how well the Mustang functions as an everyday car. When equipped with the available 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine, the Mustang is able to earn a very respectable 22 city/32 highway miles per gallon. The Charger is able to earn the best fuel economy numbers when equipped with its base V6 engine, but still trails the Mustang in this category, only earning an estimated 19 city/31 highway miles per gallon.
It takes more than just a big engine to make a sports car. The Charger is able to deliver impressive horsepower numbers, but the car’s sedan nature ensures that it still lags behind the 2016 Ford Mustang in pure performance.
If you would like to get your hands on a performance Mustang of your own, we have several great models right here at Brandon Ford. This includes our great line of custom BF Rockets that are all modified in house.
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