The Ford Mustang is a staple of American car culture, one that has been an example of the US’s role in shaping what a sports car can be. It has historically been affordable, an aspiring beacon of hope to anyone, but powerful enough to punch way above its price range. The 2026 Ford Mustang GT continues the legacy by starting at a very reasonable $46,560, while delivering inspiring performance for the money.
With a 480-horsepower V8 engine, there is no doubt that it is still a very appealing proposition, given that a powerful V8 to many is perhaps even more a beacon of hope than it ever has been. Add in the choice of a 10-speed automatic, and there is no doubt that refinement has come a long way since previous models of the Mustang were released, creating a very well-rounded package. And no matter what the car, ~4.2 seconds from 0-60 will always feel remarkably fast. No more is the Mustang a car only for those desperate for one thing only: Power. The Mustang now means more than that. It could mean a fairly economical family car at the bottom of the range. It could mean a menacing 500-horsepower “Dark Horse” edition, which transforms itself into a sharper, more vicious beast. Or it could sit in the middle, a classy but muscular Mustang GT.
A Comparison To Its Arch Nemesis, The Challenger
Dodge has always been a worthy challenger to the Mustang. The third generation of Challenger is adored by muscle car enthusiasts for keeping the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine at the beating heart of the car. This, combined with the iconic looks of this generation, has allowed the Challenger to be modern enough yet have an inherently raw, classic muscle car feel, as well as to put up a worthy fight for the crown of ultimate muscle car in recent years.
Old-School Muscle Car Attitude Through-And-Through
With 375 horsepower, a 0-60 time of around five seconds (dependent on automatic or manual options), it is slowly falling behind the more poised Mustang’s awe-inspiring numbers. With that being said, the Challenger is doing more than chasing numbers; it has been seen as one of the last remaining true V8-powered muscle cars in a world of smaller displacements, fewer cylinders, and turbochargers. The Challenger very much feels like driving an ongoing symbol of heritage, not just a modern muscle car. And you can get them for a reasonable price now, with 10-year-old examples being superbly priced for the performance you are receiving.
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The Ford Mustang Dark Horse Is Awesome, But The GT Offers More Value
It’s fine to lust after this 500-horsepower overachiever. It’s also fine to pencil out the cost-benefit of sticking with the GT instead.
The Mustang’s Path To Becoming The Best-Selling US Sports Car
The Mustang’s growth from beginning to end is an extraordinary achievement, and one that lies deep in the fabric of American automotive culture. Since its launch in 1964, Ford has sold over 10 million Mustangs worldwide and managed an incredible 1 million sales in its first two years, bearing in mind this was a sports car and not aimed at everyone, a huge feat.
Ford Mustang Early Sales Figures
- 1965: 559,000 units
- 1966: 607,500 units
Admittedly, the Mustang could never quite capture the imagination of American hearts and souls the same way it did in the 1960s, but sales remained strong through the 1970s and 1980s and became bedrock models of their generation. Since 2015, the Mustang’s sales have been dropping year-on-year, with 44,000 being sold in 2024 due to shifting priorities, consumers aspiring towards large SUVs more often, and electric models becoming a more popular alternative. But even with this decline in sales, the Mustang has adapted over its many years to meet consumer needs and be the ultimate symbol of the definitive muscle car experience.
Heritage alone is enough to secure sales figures, but innovation and a move towards more refinement and poise have perhaps gained it a more universal appeal to consumers worldwide. Once again, though, the Challenger is hot on the Mustang’s heels. From 2008-2025, Ford has shifted 1.1 million ‘Stangs, but Dodge has not trailed too far behind, selling a still impressive 800,000 units of the Challenger.
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Which Is The Right Choice For You?
So the 2026 Mustang GT is quicker — that much is for sure. Not only off the line, but it also has the Challenger beat with its sportier handling. The Mustang is also better equipped. With a modern, immersive screen layout, the interior is just a bit more cutting-edge than the now-aging interior of the Challenger. Not only that, but in terms of entry trims, it is also more economical than the Challenger.
However, you don’t buy a muscle car because of economy or practicality; you buy it because it is fierce, fast, and endlessly thrilling. And for an enthusiast, a person who has their daily driver, then their muscle car of choice lined up, the Challenger’s menacing presence and the brilliant Hemi V8 engine might be enough to sway even the most practical-minded consumer in the market for a muscle car. Despite both having roots in classic muscle space, the Mustang has really forged a new path for the idea of an “everyday” muscle car for the masses, especially with their controversial four-cylinder Mustangs.
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The Ford Mustang GT Continues Its Legacy
So in summary, this Mustang really is a particular sweet spot for those who enjoy a well-rounded muscle car experience. Despite potential concerns about whether the Mustang manages to keep its aggressive flair, for what it lacks in brute force terror, it makes up for it by being a genuinely capable driver’s car and one that is usable daily.
And though it is more reserved than a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi, a 480-horsepower V8 is still a blessing and means once the day-to-day runs are finished, you have an exciting weekend car on your hands. And of course, if you are desperate to own a Mustang but are willing to let go of a V8, you can always go for the EcoBoost model. Though purchase that with the knowledge that you will be thoroughly beaten by a Dodge Challenger.
Sources: Ford, Dodge, KBB, Bring a Trailer