2022 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2021 Ford Mustang

The 2021 Ford Mustang was known for its unmistakable curb appeal. The car’s flowing lines and scowling front-end signaled a vehicle built to be driven. This design was an evolution of the retro-styled cars of the 2000s but managed to incorporate a modern twist as well. The cabin also maintained this blend of old and new, featuring classic-style switches alongside modern digital screens. The interior had a solid fit-and-finish, blending soft-touch surfaces with brightwork, a noticeable step up in quality compared to the Camaro’s interior, which was full of dull plastics despite its modern look.

The Mustang came in multiple trims, namely EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and the new Mach 1. The range-topping Mustang Shelby GT500 was classified separately. Standard features on the base EcoBoost included 17-inch alloy wheels, manual seats, pushbutton start, power door locks, power windows, a leather-wrapped shift knob, 4G LTE WiFi, a six-speaker stereo, and a basic version of Ford’s Sync infotainment system. This system featured a 4.2-inch touchscreen and voice control.

The EcoBoost Premium trim added 18-inch alloy wheels, a black decklid spoiler, and LED fog lights. Inside, it offered ambient cabin lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats, two USB ports, and Sync 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT and GT Premium trims primarily differed in terms of mechanical upgrades, the latter adding leather-trimmed front seats and additional tech features.

The new-for-2021 Mustang Mach 1 further distilled the GT’s essence, adding both visual flair and performance enhancements from the discontinued Shelby GT350 and GT350R. It featured an active-valve exhaust system that was incredible to hear, a fully digital instrument panel, power-adjustable front seats, a split-fold rear bench, and illuminated door scuff plates.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, on the other hand, delivered a dramatic design shift that aimed at emulating high-end sports cars like Ferrari. Design cues included an engine under glass, side air intakes, a pointed nose, and a body that widened at the back. This design was exciting but lacked distinct Corvette identifiers. The coupe variants featured a lift-out roof panel for open-air driving, while the convertible versions had retractable hardtops. The convertible model could lower its roof in 16 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph.

Both Corvette Stingray models had staggered wheels and tires (19-inch front and 20-inch rear) with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires as standard, offering optional Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for summer performance. Inside, the Corvette boasted a unique layout featuring a square steering wheel and a spine-like dashboard structure that separated the driver and passenger areas. This design was both functional and stylish, providing an immersive driving experience but making passenger comfort somewhat secondary.

The 2021 Ford Mustang’s performance varied significantly across its trim levels. The base EcoBoost trim came with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The EcoBoost High-Performance Package increased this output to 330 hp. The GT trim featured a 5.0-liter V8 engine generating 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Mach 1 took this V8 and upped the power to 480 hp while maintaining the same torque.

Both engines were paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a ten-speed automatic transmission, and all were rear-wheel drive (RWD). The Mach 1 featured additional performance enhancements like a drive-mode selector with several modes, Brembo performance brakes, and chassis components from the GT350. It also benefited from Magnetic Ride Control, which balanced cornering performance and road comfort.

In comparison, the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette marked a significant departure with its mid-engine layout, improving weight distribution and rear-wheel traction. The standard Corvette Stingray was equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, or 495 hp and 470 lb-ft with the optional performance exhaust system. This engine came with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Chevy quoted a zero-to-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds for Corvettes equipped with the Z51 performance package. The Corvette’s mid-engine configuration provided a low center of gravity and improved overall handling. Equipped with the optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension, it delivered a highly comfortable ride despite the engine's positioning—making it suitable for both everyday driving and spirited track sessions.

Cargo space for the 2021 Ford Mustang was decent relative to its peers. The fastback coupe provided 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, while the convertible offered 11.4 cubic feet. This was far better than the Camaro coupe's 9.1 cubic feet and the Camaro convertible’s 7.3 cubic feet, though it didn't match up to the Dodge Challengers' 16.2 cubic feet. However, the Mustang’s rear seats were less practical for adults due to limited legroom.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, given its mid-engine layout, featured two trunks—a front trunk and a rear trunk behind the engine. Together, they offered 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space. This configuration was slightly less than the previous-generation Corvette’s single rear trunk but was claimed to fit a set of golf clubs. Removing the roof panel for open-air driving significantly reduced rear trunk space, but this was an inherent compromise of its design.

Inside, the Corvette’s driver-centric design made it less accommodating for passengers. The touchscreen and controls were angled towards the driver, making it harder for passengers to interact with these features. Rear visibility was limited due to large pillars and the mid-engine layout, but options like a rear camera mirror and front camera alleviated some of these issues. The driver-centric cockpit, square steering wheel, and center console layout favored the driver’s experience, making it easy to access controls and maintain good forward visibility.

The 2021 Ford Mustang came with varying levels of technology. The base model featured a 4.2-inch color display and voice controls but upgrading to the Premium trim or specific options brought the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. This system included an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Sync 3 had a great layout and crisp graphics, CarPlay or Android Auto took over the entire screen, lacking a quick way to switch back to the radio or climate controls, a noticeable omission.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette offered a more consistent level of high tech across all trim levels. It came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot were also standard. Navigation was available on all but the base 1LT trim, while a head-up display was an optional feature.

The Corvette’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, avoiding burying critical functions in multiple submenus. The base audio system was a 10-speaker Bose Premium sound system, upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series on higher trims. The Corvette also included features like the Performance Data Recorder and an optional front-end lift system, enhancing both the driving and ownership experience.

The 2021 Ford Mustang came packed with Ford’s CoPilot360 suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Rain-sensing wipers and automatic high beams were also standard, while adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were optional.

Safety features in the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette were more basic, focusing on blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These features alleviated some concerns with the vehicle’s limited rear visibility but were not available on the base 1LT trim. Neither the IIHS nor NHTSA had crash-tested the Corvette at the time, as sports cars generally sell in lower volumes.