*All information in this article has been revised and updated for the latest 2021-2022 models.

Looking for a new sports car that offers a powerful engine and an upscale build and interior? Brighton Ford can show you one of the most iconic sports cars of all times - the new 2021 Ford Mustang. Today we’re comparing it to the 2022 Subaru BRZ to see how they stack up. 

Style and Design

The 2021 Ford Mustang combines modern convenience with retro style. It has an upscale cabin that offers high-quality materials and more trunk space, with a wide trunk opening. The Mustang seats two in the front and two in the back, with its focus on the two front seats. Both the driver and passengers have plenty of comfortable space and well-bolstered seats. Cloth seats are standard, but higher models offer full leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats.

Now for 2021, the Mach 1 has been resurrected with a 480-horsepower, 5-liter V-8 paired with a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. It has a stylish front end and black stripes on the hood and body sides along with aerodynamic elements, cooling upgrades and performance hardware from the Shelby GT350 and GT500. 19-inch wheels with an exclusive design and more are also included in the Mach 1 Handling Package.

The Subaru BRZ hadn’t really progressed since it was first introduced in 2013, with its stiff ride, elevated interior noise, and tepid acceleration. However, for 2022, it has seen vast improvements inside and outside. A new aluminum roof with a double-bubble design allows for more headroom and a 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 228 horsepower are among these updates. The Limited Edition models feature seating with microfiber inserts, a red stripe running down the center and a red stitching theme throughout the cabin. An 8-inch infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster join the updates along with a back seat and trunk that offers 6-13 cubic-feet of space. However, the back seat is not recommended for any person over the age of 6 due to lack of space. The pricing begins at $28,955 to $31,455.

Power, Trims, and Price

The Mustang gives you plenty of options, from the fun and energetic Ecoboost to the Mach 1. There are four main engine options for the 2021 Ford Mustang: the base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, found in EcoBoost trims, gets you moving quickly with 310 horsepower. A new option package for 2020 gives you an engine output of 330 horsepower. The optional 5.0-liter V8 engine in the Mustang GT packs a punch with its 460 hp. Both the four-cylinder and V8 engines come standard with six-speed manual transmission or a refined 10-speed automatic. With the standard EcoBoost engine, you will get an EPA-estimated 21/32 mpg in the city and highway. The V8 Mustang GT gets up to 16/25 mpg in the city and highway. With five available trims, the starting price for the base EcoBoost is $28,400 and ranges to $54,595 for the Mach 1.

Subaru offers the 2022 BRZ in two trim levels – Premium and Limited, with both having the same engine and rear-wheel-drive system. There is no convertible body style in the BRZ lineup however, and it doesn’t match up to the Mustang’s powerful lineup of engines. It comes equipped with a 2.4-liter flat-four that makes 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. 

Safety and Tech Features

A rearview camera is a standard driver assistance feature in the Mustang. Available options include an adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Wi-Fi hotspot is available as well as Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Its latest technology has a clean design and a simple interface that comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an impressive stereo. Ford Sync Connect comes standard, which allows users to control and monitor their vehicles through a smartphone app.

The BRZ also comes standard with a rearview camera, with no other available advanced driver aids. Its infotainment system is a bit outdated compared to the Ford Mustang. It comes standard with the Starlink Infotainment system, with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and an eight-speaker stereo. On-screen texts can be challenging to read, and the virtual buttons are small and hard to press.

Overall

There really is no comparison to these two sports cars. The 2021 Ford Mustang features a richer interior and a larger trunk, making it more comfortable and usable for everyday driving than the 2022 Subaru BRZ. Ford’s offering of more powerful engines also makes this sports car a sure pick. If you are in the Colorado area, don’t pass up your opportunity to take a test drive at Brighton Ford.