Fast, loud, and fun muscle is a thing of the past—or is it? The Ford Mustang has been a staple of car culture since the mid-1960s, and it's still around, but how does it hold up against muscle car rivals today? Let's take a look at how the 2026 Ford Mustang stacks up against the Dodge Charger below.
Key Takeaways
- Ford gives the GT Premium trim a throwback FX package, giving 1980s Fox-body vibes.
- As of this writing, muscle car fans await the ultra-rugged Mustang Raptor to officially debut.
- Dodge completely reimagines the Charger from the ground up for 2026.
Styling Updates and Trim Level Pricing
Ford aims right for the nostalgia bone by adding the FX package to the GT Premium trim. It channels the look of the classic Fox-body era with vintage design touches. Opting for the Performance Package gets you Oxford White fan-style wheels that pay homage to old-school Cobra models, while the FX trim uses a white split five-spoke design. The retro theme continues on the outside with white grille nostrils, white-out taillights, and heritage badges.
On the inside, you get leather sport seats with black-and-white plaid inserts and blue-and-silver accent stitching. Dark Horse carbon-fiber trim panels blend the vintage layout with a modern feel. Ford also tweaked the paint choices, adding Adriatic Blue Metallic and bringing back a fan-favorite, Orange Fury.
MSRPs as of June 7, 2026 are:
- EcoBoost: $34,635
- EcoBoost Premium: $38,340
- EcoBoost Convertible: $42,115
- EcoBoost Premium Convertible: $43,840
- GT: $48,555
- GT Premium: $53,075
- GT Premium Convertible: $58,575
- Dark Horse: $66,075
- Dark Horse Premium Coupe: $71,070
- Dark Horse SC: $106,490
- Dark Horse SC Track Pack: $139,990
- Dark Horse SC Track Pack Special Edition: $170,970
- Raptor / Raptor R: Estimated $90,000 to $110,000
Dodge took a short hiatus before launching this version of the Charger, using the time to reinvent the car from top to bottom. Its prices are:
- R/T Coupe: $51,990
- R/T Sedan: $53,990
- R/T Plus Coupe: $56,985
- Scat Pack Coupe: $56,990
- R/T Plus Sedan: $58,985
- Scat Pack Sedan: $58,990
- Scat Pack Plus Coupe: $61,985
- Scat Pack Plus Sedan: $63,985
Raw Horsepower and On-Track Performance
The entry-level Mustang starts off strong with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo engine that routes 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft through a 10-speed automatic. If you want a real V8 experience, the optional 5.0-liter Coyote V8 cranks out 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft. Adding the active performance exhaust jumps those numbers to 486 horses and 418 lb-ft, and you can choose a traditional six-speed manual stick shift.
Not enough power? The track-focused Dark Horse coaxes 500 horsepower out of that V8 and adds adaptive suspension dampers. Add the Handling Package, and you swap standard rubber for ultra-sticky Pirelli Trofeo RS track tires to maximize your grip.
Meanwhile, the Dodge Charger moves away from the old V8 layout, introducing a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine known as the "Hurricane." In the base R/T, this Sixpack S.O. variant pumps out 420 ponies. Moving up to the Scat Pack or the Sixpack H.O. version dials the output all the way up to 550 horsepower. Every engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, though the software includes a built-in disconnect mode that lets you switch to pure rear-wheel drive.
| 2026 Ford Mustang |
2026 Dodge Charger |
| 2.3L turbo four-cylinder or 5.0L V8 |
Twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six |
| 10-speed automatic or available 6-speed manual |
8-speed automatic only |
| Rear-wheel drive |
Standard all-wheel drive with rear-drive disconnect |
| Dark Horse adds adaptive dampers and available track-focused handling upgrades |
Scat Pack models deliver the lineup's highest output at 550 hp |
Does the Ford Mustang Belong in Your Garage?
We think so! If you want an authentic sports car experience that puts you completely in control of a roaring V8 and trim options galore, the Mustang is the king of the hill. Reach out to our team today to schedule a test drive at Brighton Ford and feel all that power for yourself!