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Dodge Charger vs Ford Mustang

2026 Dodge Charger vs 2026 Ford Mustang — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Dodge Charger

2026 Dodge Charger

Large CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 1Dodge Charger wins 5 of 6 categories
Ford Mustang

2026 Ford Mustang

Subcompact Cars

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The short version

The Ford Mustang is more fuel-efficient: 26 vs 20 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,800 a year less in fuel for the Dodge Charger (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Dodge Charger is the bigger car, about 17 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Dodge Charger has had fewer recall campaigns (44 vs 60).

The two cars

The 2026 Dodge Charger is a large car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 207 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,826 lb (2dr Coupe).

The 2026 Ford Mustang is a subcompact car offered with 3 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl and 5.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,949 lb (2dr Coupe Darkhorse).

Buying used? The 2023 Charger and the 2023 Mustang have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Charger and the 2015 Mustang.

Basics

Large Cars
Class
Subcompact Cars
EV, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

20 MPG
Best combined MPG
26 MPG
17 city
City / highway MPG (best)
22 city
295 mi
EV range
–
$800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,600

Performance & space

670 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
206.7 in
Length
189.4 in
79.9 in
Width
75.6 in
59.1 in
Height
55.1 in
4,826 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,587 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
11
1
Recalls (2026)
5
44
Recalls, all years since 2005
60
5
Owner complaints (latest year)
8

Interest

26,729
Wikipedia views, 30 days
46,156

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2023
2016
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Dodge Charger if…

  • You want an EV with more range (295 miles)
  • You want more room (17 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (44 vs 60 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Ford Mustang if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (26 vs 20 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (17 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Dodge Charger

  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 23% below the 2026 large car average of 25.9 MPG.

2026 Ford Mustang

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Dodge Charger specs →Full 2026 Ford Mustang specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →