Brandon Nordell
11/13/2025
Lili was awesome. She helped me find the perfect Mustang. They didn’t have what I wanted on the lot, so she found one at another dealership a few hours away. Great experience. Love the car.
If you're craving to add a rush of adrenaline and American spirit to your drives, a 2026 Ford Mustang vs. 2026 Dodge Charger comparison becomes increasingly necessary. Each of these muscle car options is a legendary name in the industry, with the 2026 Charger returning with two powertrains, including an EV setup. However, the Ford Mustang never went all-electric, prioritizing the experience of zipping down Interstate 80 in Sacramento, CA, with a loud and proud powertrain. At Downtown Ford Sacramento, you'll have the opportunity to test out the iconic Ford muscle car that never loses sight of what it means to be one.
The Dodge Charger focuses on electric power, giving you a choice between a 630-horsepower motor or a 550-horsepower gas engine. All electric models have a one-speed automatic transmission, while the gas Scat Pack is equipped with an eight-speed automatic.
The Ford Mustang, in the meantime, has a 2.3-liter I-4, a 5.0-liter V-8 (with two different tunings), and a 5.0-liter four-cylinder engine, exclusive to the Mustang Dark Horse. However, depending on your powertrain, you get to choose between a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, giving you much greater control over every mile.
| Ford Mustang | Dodge Charger (Gas) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engines |
|
3.0L twin-turbo I-6 |
| Max Horsepower |
|
550 |
| Max Torque |
|
531 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto, 6-speed manual avail | 8-speed auto |
| Best 0-60 MPH Time | 4.1 sec (Dark Horse)1 | 3.9 sec |
| Best EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Comb) | 22 / 33 / 262 | Not yet rated |
| Length |
|
206.6 in |
| Width |
|
79.8 in |
| Height |
|
59 in |
| Front Legroom | 44.5 in | 42.6 in |
The Mustang is available in six trims, with some offered as a convertible model for open-air freedom. See the full list below, which you might come across within our inventory of new cars.
If you look at the Dodge Charger instead, you get two gas-powered trim levels – four, if you include the electric variants.
In a muscle car comparison, knowing what your dimensions are can be extremely important. When considering this aspect, the Dodge Charger no longer feels quite like a muscle car. With a guaranteed automatic transmission, 37.2 inches of rear legroom, and a bloated length of 206.6 inches, the Charger often feels like a larger, almost family-oriented vehicle. The four-door Charger reinforces that perspective, abandoning the traditional muscle car experience and appearance.
Take a seat behind the Ford Mustang instead. It's compact, at 189.4 inches, so it feels easier to maneuver and control. It's focused, with 44.5 inches of front-row legroom, catering more to your driving experience and comfort than to serving as the family's model. It doesn't waste space with foldable seatbacks; instead, it ensures the cabin feels like the muscle car of your dreams.
The final step in choosing between a Mustang or Charger is the tech that fuels your drive. The Mustang takes the exceptional feel of muscle cars and adds revolutionary tech, like the 12.4-inch LCD digital cluster and the 13.2-inch central touchscreen. Available equipment, like the MagneRide Damping System, active valve performance exhaust, and Pony puddle lamps, enhances your control and safety on and off the track. The Dark Horse level includes a class-first3 Drift Brake along with the MagneRide Damping System. Like all new Ford vehicles, technology and safety are always prioritized.
The Charger isn't far behind, with a 12.3-inch central display, a standard 10.25-inch instrument display (with a freestanding upgrade), and strong safety features. However, it lacks the equivalent of a MagneRide Damping System or a drift brake. It might have more horsepower, but it lacks the fantastic features that make driving at Prairie City in Sacramento, CA, so much fun.
Visit our Downtown Ford Sacramento dealership in California to discuss the differences in detail between the 2026 Mustang vs. Charger.
While we do not yet know the exact fuel efficiency of the 2026 Charger Scat Pack, we expect the Mustang to have significantly better economy. At 22/33/26 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),2 the 2.3-liter I-4 engine of the Mustang is anticipated to outpace the bulkier 3.0-liter engine of the Charger. The Charger Daytona requires a charging station to be efficient.
The 2026 Mustang offers incredible safety options. For example, enjoy a Lane Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Parking Sensors, and Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers on the standard vehicle. The Mustang also has features like SOS Post-Crash Alert, which is immediately activated after a severe accident to signal for help and draw attention from bystanders.
11/13/2025
Lili was awesome. She helped me find the perfect Mustang. They didn’t have what I wanted on the lot, so she found one at another dealership a few hours away. Great experience. Love the car.
1This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/mustang
2EPA-estimated 22/33 mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
3Class is High-Powered Sports Cars with available 300+ HP. Closed track. Drift brake is intended for track use only. It should never be used on public roads. See Owner’s Manual for information on use.