2020 Ford Mustang vs 2020 Dodge Challenger

The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt paid homage to its cinematic legacy, drawing inspiration from the iconic 1968 Mustang GT fastback driven by Steve McQueen in "Bullitt." This special edition, painted in Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black, featured minimal ornamentation, subtle chrome accents, and retro Torque Thrust-style 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, unique touches like green stitching in the leather upholstery, a white cue-ball shifter knob, and a serialized plaque on the dashboard added to its nostalgic appeal. Despite its high price, the Mustang Bullitt was considered a bargain compared to the original movie car, which sold for $3.74 million at auction in 2020.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger, a third-generation model released in 2008, stayed true to its 1970s roots while incorporating modern updates. Its muscular silhouette, recessed headlights, and menacing grille hinted at its performance capabilities. Inside, the Challenger offered a driver-focused cockpit with a blend of vintage and modern elements. The trim lineup included nine options, from the base SXT to the high-performance SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Standard features varied by trim, with higher trims offering leather seating, heated front seats, and advanced infotainment systems. New colors and a 50th Anniversary package added to the Challenger's appeal in 2020.

The 2020 Ford Mustang offered a wide range of performance options, from the base EcoBoost Fastback with a 310-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine to the Shelby GT500 with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 producing 760 horsepower. The popular Mustang GT featured a 460-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, while the track-focused Shelby GT350 and GT350R delivered 526 horsepower from a 5.2-liter V8. The Mustang Bullitt, based on the Mustang GT, boasted 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, thanks to components from the Shelby GT350. Fuel economy varied, with the EcoBoost Mustang achieving 21 mpg city and 31 highway, while the Shelby GT500 returned 12/18/14 mpg. The Bullitt, with its six-speed manual transmission, offered a balance of performance and daily drivability, enhanced by features like structural bracing, improved engine cooling, and Brembo brakes.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger's performance lineup started with the SXT and GT trims, powered by a 3.6-liter V6 producing 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque, available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed manual transmission, or 372 horsepower and 400 lb-ft with an eight-speed automatic. The R/T Scat Pack upgraded to a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, offered 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque, while the Hellcat Redeye pushed these figures to 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft. The Widebody variants added flared fenders, wider tires, and adaptive suspension, enhancing cornering capabilities. The SRT Performance Pages allowed for extensive customization of drive modes and performance metrics.

The 2020 Ford Mustang prioritized style and performance over practicality. Its rear seat was cramped, suitable only for small children, and interior storage was limited. However, the Mustang Fastback provided comfortable seating for two adults and a 13.5 cubic-foot trunk, sufficient for a week-long road trip. Standard black leather seats with six-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation offered comfort, while optional Recaro performance seats provided better bolstering for spirited driving. The Mustang's interior design, though stylish, had some drawbacks, such as shiny trim that made controls difficult to read.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger excelled in interior space, offering a roomy cabin with ample legroom and headroom for a coupe. The rear seat was more accommodating than its competitors, with a quick-release latch for easy access. The Challenger's 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space outshone the Camaro's 9.1 cubic feet and the Mustang's 13.5 cubic feet. The traditional rear-wheel-drive setup resulted in a large center console, but helpful storage cubbies in the doors compensated for the limited console space. The all-wheel-drive models had additional drivetrain components that slightly reduced front passenger footwell space.

The 2020 Ford Mustang excelled in performance technology, offering adjustable steering effort, multiple active exhaust modes, and various driving modes, including Snow/Slippery and Track. Track Apps allowed drivers to monitor acceleration, braking, and lap times. The 12-inch digital instrumentation cluster provided a sophisticated interface, while the Sync 3 infotainment system, though aging, offered Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Separate stereo and climate controls minimized interaction with the touchscreen.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring the intuitive Uconnect interface, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The available Uconnect 8.4 system offered a larger screen and Garmin-based navigation with real-time traffic updates. Higher trims included an Alpine premium stereo system with a 276-watt digital amplifier. The Challenger's digital display in the instrument panel provided logical menu layouts, easily controlled via large directional pad buttons on the steering wheel.

The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt lacked many semi-autonomous safety features, appealing to purists. It included a reversing camera, MyKey technology for programming specific key fob requirements, and an optional blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Mustang received good crash-test ratings from the IIHS and five stars in all NHTSA tests, including rollover resistance.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger came with standard safety features like front and side-impact airbags, traction control, brake assist, and a child-seat anchoring system. Optional features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path alert, and the ParkSense reverse sensing system. The Challenger earned four stars in front driver’s side crash testing and five stars for front passenger side testing from the NHTSA, with a "Good" rating in many IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" overall score.