While the Ford Mustang might feel like it’s every bit a part of America as one of its favorite sports cars, this doesn’t mean the Mustang is the best option for all people. In the last few decades, vehicle manufacturers have produced multiple rivals to the Mustang, which, in some ways, are vastly better. Rest assured, there is no shortage of choice between Dodge, Lexus, BMW, and Tesla in today’s sports car world. 

24/7 Wall St. Key Points

• The Ford Mustang remains one of America’s best sports cars. 
• Rival car makers have caught up and surpassed some of the Mustang’s best features. 
• Ford may be a dream car, but 
• Also: Discover “The Next NVIDIA” 

We’re far from the idea that Ford still stands for “Fixed or Repaired Daily,” but this doesn’t mean the Mustang is perfect. For many years, Ford allowed the interiors of its vehicles, specifically its infotainment system, to fall by the wayside while its competitors made continuous improvements. Unfortunately, not everything stands out for the Mustang as it did in the past, as rivals have caught up in a big way. 

10. Lexus RC F 

• Price: starting at $68,320
• Horsepower: 472
• 0-60: 4.2 seconds
• Warranty: 4-year, 50,000 mile basic

Lexus Beauty

In the grand scheme, the Lexus RC F is arguably the one proper luxury option on this list, even if a BMW name appears later. However, you can’t overlook the Lexus interior, which is arguably a best-in-class luxury experience, versus the colder, albeit improved interior of the Mustang. One final thought is that the Lexus wasn’t built for cargo space and has a top-speed limit, which the Mustang doesn’t, but it’s easy to overlook with the Lexus’ comfortable leather seats. 

9. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 

• Price: starting at $68,300
• Horsepower: 490 – 670
• 0-60: 2.7 – 2.9 seconds
• Warranty: 3-year, 36,000 mile basic

Chevy Power

There is no question that the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has a starting price well above that of the Mustang. However, if you can look past that part, the Mustang needs help competing with the Corvette on looks, 0-60 time, and overall performance. The Mustang might be a better daily driver, but the Corvette will have eyes turning when you pull up to a restaurant or charity event. 

8. Tesla Model 3 Performance

• Price: starting at $42,490
• Horsepower: 510
• 0-60: 2.9 seconds
• Warranty: 4-year, 50,000 mile basic

Electric Excellence

It’s hard to argue that the Tesla Model 3 Performance is a “sports” car, but it performs like one. With a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds, the Tesla outperforms every Mustang on the road today. Even the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which offers a better infotainment experience than the gas-engine Ford, can’t keep up with the Tesla Model 3 Performance rocket-like acceleration, range, and Full Self Driving.  

7. Kia Stinger GT

• Price: starting at $54,565
• Horsepower: 300
• 0-60: 4.7 seconds
• Warranty: 5-year, 60,000 mile basic

Gone But Not Forgotten

While discontinued in 2025, the Kia Stinger GT was a more practical everyday driver as a four-door sedan. While not truly a family-friendly design, the Kia Stinger GT is the more sensible choice for any family with more than two people who want to continue having something fun to drive. The Kia has vastly more standard features, a better warranty, and significantly more cargo space. 

6. Nissan Z 

• Price: starting at $42,970
• Horsepower: 400 – 420
• 0-60: 4.3 – 4.5 seconds
• Warranty: 3-year, 36,000 mile basic

The Surprise Guest

While the 2024 and 2025 Nissan Z won’t introduce any significant changes, you don’t need to fix what isn’t broken with a vehicle like the Nissan Z. As the Nissan Z weighs less than the Ford Mustang, it feels more maneuverable and enjoyable to drive. The Ford is also more expensive overall, so the Nissan Z Nismo edition is just pure driving fun and a terrific alternative.  

5. Dodge Charger

• Price: starting at $57.995
• Horsepower: 420 – 550
• 0-60: 3.3 – 4.7 seconds
• Warranty: 3-year, 36,000 mile basic

Four-Door Power

The four-door sedan Dodge can launch off the starting line, and the Charger is immediately the more comfortable option than the Ford Mustang, thanks to its roomier interior. If you can find a Dodge Charger Scat Pack and are willing to pay the price, it’s a vastly more fun drive than the Mustang and feels more like a conversation piece. 

4. BMW M2 Series BMW  

• Price: starting at $64,195
• Horsepower: 453
• 0-60: 3.9 – 4.2 seconds
• Warranty: 4-year, 50,000 mile basic

The Ultimate Driving Machine

Slightly faster than the Mustang overall, the BMW M2 ups the luxury level compared to the Ford Mustang in almost every possible way. You get comfier seats, a larger infotainment experience at 14.9 inches, and you can even get a manual on the BMW. If you want a terrific combination of luxury, power, and the joy of the BMW name, the M2 is hard to ignore. 

3. Toyota GR Supra

• Price: starting at $56,250
• Horsepower: 255 – 382
• 0-60: 3.9 – 5 seconds
• Warranty: 3-year, 36,000 mile basic

 Let’s Go Places

All things being equal, the Mustang offers more value for the money than the Toyota GR Supra, but it’s not as simple as that. The Mustang may be more practical as an everyday driver, but the Supra is more fun to drive with better handling, a more powerful standard engine, and is the more fuel-efficient of the two. You also benefit from Toyota’s improved safety features and no-cost maintenance for the first two years. 

2. Dodge Challenger  

• Price: starting at $32,000
• Horsepower: 305 – 375
• 0-60: 1.66 – 4.8 seconds
• Warranty: 3-year, 36,000 mile basic

Never Domesticated

Dodge’s beloved two-door monster stacks up well against the Ford Mustang, and like the Camaro, the traditional Challenger isn’t long for this world. Instead, it will be replaced with new variants, including an EV model. Still, the Challenger and the Mustang have been rivals for decades, and if you start adding in the top engines, the Dodge will help you think back to a fading era when muscle cars ruled the world. 

1. Chevrolet Camaro

• Price: starting at $32,495
• Horsepower: 335 – 650
• 0-60: 3.5 to 5.4 seconds
• Warranty: 3-year, 36,000 mile basic

Dead for 2025

There is little question that the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang have long been direct rivals. While the 2024 Camaro offered more power and a sportier look, the biggest challenge is that the vehicle isn’t returning for 2025. Still, the Camaro long won on price, while the Mustang offered a more comfortable ride and refined interior and infotainment experience. 

 

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