2022 Porsche 911 vs 2021 Ford Mustang

The 2021 Ford Mustang had an unmistakable curb appeal with its flowing lines and scowling front-end, signaling a car built for driving. Its design was an evolution of the retro-styled cars of the 2000s, but with a modern twist. Inside, the cabin blended old and new, combining classic-style switches with modern digital screens. The fit-and-finish was solid, featuring a nice mix of soft-touch surfaces and brightwork, marking a noticeable step-up in quality from the Camaro’s interior, which, despite its attractive design, was full of dull plastics.

The Mustang came in various trims: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and the new Mach 1, with the range-topping Mustang Shelby GT500 classified as a separate model. 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 the basic version of Ford’s Sync infotainment system. The EcoBoost Premium added more features like 18-inch alloy wheels, a black decklid spoiler, and LED fog lights, along with interior upgrades such as ambient cabin lighting and dual-zone climate control.

The 2022 Porsche 911 retained its iconic styling and rear-engine layout since its introduction in 1963. Porsche chose to gradually evolve the 911 over decades, making it one of the best sports cars available. The 911 was a “driver’s car,” intended for those who derived pleasure from performance, even if it meant making some sacrifices for that level of athleticism. Despite its performance focus, the 911 models were relatively comfortable and easy to live with as daily drivers.

The 911’s sturdy build quality and refined interior helped justify its high price. With the push toward an all-electric future, it was uncertain how long the 911 would remain in its internal-combustion state. The next-generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman sports cars were set to be electrified, and considering the success of the Taycan electric sedan, there was anticipation for a potential 911 EV.

The 2021 Ford Mustang offered a range of engines, starting with the EcoBoost trim’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The EcoBoost High-Performance Package increased output to 330 hp. The GT trim featured a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, delivering exhilarating straight-line performance and powerful corner exits. The new Mustang Mach 1 took the GT’s V8 and added 20 hp, totaling 480 horses, with torque remaining at 420 lb-ft. The Mach 1’s exhaust system produced an incredible roar under hard acceleration and a menacing burble at idle.

The Mustang’s engines were paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission, both driving the rear wheels. The Mach 1 featured a drive-mode selector with various modes, including Normal, My Mode, Sport Plus, Track, Drag Strip, and Snow/Wet, adjusting throttle response and other parameters. The Mach 1 also boasted Brembo performance brakes, GT350 chassis components, MagneRide control, a beefed-up sway bar, and a Torsen limited-slip differential, enhancing its performance and handling.

The 2022 Porsche 911’s engine was as iconic as the car itself, featuring a horizontally-opposed six-cylinder “boxer” engine mounted behind the rear axle. This layout favored high-performance driving, making the vehicle more responsive and capable of rotating its tail into turns. The base Carrera’s 3.0-liter turbocharged boxer-six produced 379 horsepower, while the Carrera S increased output to 443 hp. The new 473-hp GTS represented a middle ground between the Carreras and higher-performing 911 models like the Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, and GT3 Touring.

The 911 offered an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) on most models, with a seven-speed manual gearbox available on S and GTS models. The PDK improved acceleration and fuel efficiency, while the manual provided more driver engagement. The Carrera GTS Cabriolet with PDK could reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 192 mph. The 911’s Sport drive modes sharpened engine and transmission response and stiffened the suspension’s adaptive dampers, enhancing its performance.

The 911 cornered with thrilling confidence, carving through turns with precision. The adjustable suspension allowed for a compliant ride over ruts and bumps, while the brakes were effective at rapidly scrubbing off speed and smooth in everyday driving conditions. The 911 was an accomplished sports car that made minimal sacrifices to drivability, comfort, and refinement.

The 2021 Ford Mustang offered decent cargo space, with the fastback coupe providing 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space and the convertible offering 11.4 cubic feet. While not as spacious as the Dodge Challenger’s 16.2 cubic feet, it was far better than the Camaro coupe’s 9.1 cubic feet and the Camaro convertible’s 7.3 cubic feet. The Mustang’s rear seats were not very useful for full-size adults, with rear legroom disappearing when the front seats were adjusted for typical adult occupants. The rear seats were best suited for small children or extra cargo space.

The Mustang’s front seats offered power adjustment options, with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power front passenger’s seat. However, the seat-back adjustment was manual, which felt cheap. Despite this, the seats were well-bolstered and provided solid support for long drives or hard cornering.

The 2022 Porsche 911’s interior design blended historic personality with modern sensibilities. The large analog tachometer in the instrument panel was flanked by smaller digital gauges, and a 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen was centrally located on the dash. Physical controls for climate, audio, and drive modes were still present, reducing the need to use the touchscreen.

The standard seats were comfortable and supportive, with sport seats offering increased side bolstering for improved lateral support. Taller drivers and front passengers had plenty of space, but the rear seats were very small, better suited for cargo overflow. The front trunk offered only 4.6 cubic feet of space, and interior storage was limited to a multipurpose pocket in the center console, a shallow armrest bin, and small door pockets. The convertible’s fabric top could be stowed or deployed in 12 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph, with excellent wind noise reduction and a power-folding mesh wind blocker.

Overall, the 911’s interior featured excellent materials and sturdy construction, with options to add color and personality, though Porsche options were notoriously expensive.

The 2021 Ford Mustang’s base model came with a 4.2-inch color display and voice controls. Upgrading to the Premium trim or opting for the Sync 3 infotainment system provided an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Sync 3 had a great layout, with crisp graphics and large buttons and icons. However, when CarPlay or Android Auto were in use, they completely took over the screen, and there was no home button to easily return to the Sync system.

The 2022 Porsche 911’s infotainment system was mounted lower on the dash, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road to use it. Apple CarPlay was wireless, but Android Auto required a USB cable. The on-screen app buttons in CarPlay were small, making it more difficult to use. The base audio system was underwhelming, so upgrading to the optional Bose system was recommended. The premium audio system was expensive, but audiophiles might find it worth the cost. Remote Park Assist was available as an add-on to the Premium package.

Most of the 911’s innovative technology was incorporated into its drive systems. The default Comfort drive mode and Sport Plus mode changed the car’s character, sharpening responses and adjusting traction and stability controls. The Sport Chrono package added performance-related features, including a lap timer with analysis capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Mustang came standard with the CoPilot360 suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had rain-sensing wipers and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were available as options. The Mustang had good visibility compared to other American sports cars, with solid sight lines.

The 2022 Porsche 911 had not been evaluated by the NHTSA or IIHS, which was typical for high-end luxury vehicles. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. The optional Premium package added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and blind-spot monitoring. Other options included night vision and an integrated dashcam feature. The 911 offered fewer safety features compared to conventional sedans and SUVs, but this was typical for sports cars.