2027 Dodge Charger vs 2026 Ford Mustang: Which Muscle Car Is Right for You?
The 2027 Dodge Charger R/T makes 420 hp standard with AWD, giving it 105 more horsepower than the base 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost. The Charger also adds a fifth seat and 37 cu ft of cargo space, the Mustang seats four and offers just 13.5 cu ft of trunk room. This page breaks down every key spec difference and links to current Charger inventory at ASA Auto Plaza.
The Short Answer
The 2027 Charger is the stronger choice for buyers who want more power, more passenger room, and standard all-wheel drive in a muscle car package. The 2026 Mustang earns its place for buyers who prioritize a lighter, more traditional rear-drive pony car feel, with a manual transmission option and a convertible body style the Charger does not offer. Neither is a compromise, they serve genuinely different drivers.
Specs Head-to-Head
| Specification | 2027 Dodge Charger R/T | 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 SIXPACK | 2.3L EcoBoost Turbo I4 |
| Horsepower | 420 hp | 315 hp |
| Torque | 468 lb-ft | 350 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (selectable RWD mode) | RWD only |
| 0-60 mph | 4.6 sec | 4.5 sec |
| Quarter-mile | 12.9 sec at 107 mph | 13.2 sec at 102 mph |
| EPA City / Hwy | 17 / 26 mpg | 22 / 33 mpg |
| Seating | 5 | 4 |
| Length | 206.6 in | 189.4 in |
| Cargo Space | 37 cu ft (seats down) | 13.5 cu ft (trunk) |
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
The Charger Scat Pack raises the stakes further with 550 hp and a 3.9-second 0-60 time. The Mustang GT reaches 486 hp and the Dark Horse hits 500 hp, both remain RWD only.
Full 2027 Charger trim breakdown
Performance and Powertrain
The Charger's 3.0L twin-turbo SIXPACK inline-six delivers full torque at 2,500 rpm, meaning strong acceleration begins almost immediately off the line. Standard AWD puts all that torque to the pavement from any surface condition, which matters for buyers in Jackson, MN and across the upper Midwest where weather changes fast. The selectable RWD mode lets drivers send 100% of torque to the rear wheels on demand for the classic muscle car experience.
The Mustang EcoBoost uses a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder and sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. Buyers who step up to the Mustang GT get a 5.0L V8 producing up to 486 hp, and the Dark Horse reaches 500 hp from a modified version of that same engine. Those are legitimate numbers, but they come through RWD only, no AWD option exists anywhere in the Mustang lineup.
The Charger Scat Pack with its high-output SIXPACK engine produces 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque, running the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds at 114 mph. That places it well above any Mustang short of the Dark Horse SC.
For drivers who want the most power in the lineup, the Charger Daytona Scat Pack Plus is the all-electric option producing up to 670 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The Mustang lineup includes no electric variant.
EPA fuel economy data for both vehicles
Interior, Space, and Cargo
This category separates the two vehicles most clearly. The Charger seats five and offers 37 cu ft of cargo space with the rear seats folded, representing a 38% increase over the previous Charger generation. Four-door Charger models add real rear-seat legroom of 37.2 inches, making back-seat passengers genuinely comfortable on longer drives.
The Mustang is a four-seat car with 29 inches of rear legroom and a 13.5 cu ft trunk. For two people on a weekend run, that works. For a family or a group of four adults, the Charger is the practical choice without sacrificing muscle car character.
Both vehicles offer dual-zone automatic climate control. The Charger adds a 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen as standard across all trims, while Plus trims add a 16-inch digital instrument cluster, 64-color ambient lighting, heated and ventilated seats, and a 360-degree surround view camera. The Mustang's SYNC 4 system runs on a 13.2-inch touchscreen with a 12.4-inch digital cluster, competitive in size, though the Charger's standard feature content runs deeper at equivalent trim levels.
New for 2027, the Charger adds Petrol Blue performance leather seats and Demonic Red seat belts as factory customization options. Over 25 new personalization choices are available directly from the factory for 2027.
Technology and Safety
Both vehicles include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with steering assist.
The Charger adds a Driver Attention Monitor and Side Distance Warning as standard, plus a Turn Signal Activated Blind Spot Camera standard on Plus trims. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack Plus includes navigation, Amazon Alexa integration, a Head-Up Display, and the 16-inch cluster as standard. On SIXPACK-powered models those features appear on Plus trims.
The Mustang includes rain-sensing wipers on all trims and offers Ford's MagneRide Damping System on the Dark Horse and as an option on other trims. Track Apps in the Mustang display G-force readings, lap times, and acceleration data on the digital cluster, a feature set aimed at track-day drivers.
The Charger offers Performance Pages via the Uconnect system on trims with the Performance Handling Group or on Scat Pack models, providing comparable data logging capability. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack Plus adds a Drive Experience Recorder through a Cosworth-developed system that syncs 1080p video with vehicle telemetry.
2027 Charger safety and tech features
Value and Ownership
Both vehicles carry identical basic and powertrain warranty coverage: 3 years / 36,000 miles basic and 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain. Neither has a clear advantage on paper warranty terms.
The Mustang EcoBoost returns 22 city / 33 highway per EPA estimates. The Charger R/T returns 17 city / 26 highway. Buyers who prioritize fuel efficiency will find the Mustang more economical, particularly in daily driving. The Mustang's smaller turbocharged engine consumes less fuel on a commute, that is a real-world ownership difference to weigh.
The Charger's standard AWD adds traction in rain, snow, and mixed conditions without requiring a purchase upgrade. For buyers in Minnesota and surrounding areas, that capability has a direct daily value. The Mustang requires a trip to the rear wheels regardless of conditions, with no AWD path available.
The Charger also won the 2026 North American Car of the Year award, the Detroit Free Press Car of the Year, and MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Best Sport Coupe among other recognitions, independent validation of the eighth-generation platform.
2026 North American Car of the Year results
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the 2027 Dodge Charger if you:
- Want the most standard horsepower of any muscle car (420 hp on the R/T)
- Need AWD confidence for Minnesota winters without giving up performance
- Carry five passengers or need real cargo room
- Want the option of a 550 hp SIXPACK or a 670 hp all-electric powertrain as you move up the trim ladder
- Value factory customization with over 25 new options for 2027
Buy the 2026 Ford Mustang if you:
- Prefer a lighter, shorter rear-wheel-drive pony car with traditional feel
- Want a convertible body style (the Charger does not offer one)
- Prefer the option of a manual transmission, available on GT and Dark Horse trims
- Prioritize highway fuel economy in daily driving
- Want a more affordable entry point into a performance nameplate
Compare all 2027 Charger trims
See the 2027 Charger at ASA Auto Plaza in Jackson
The 2027 Dodge Charger is arriving at dealerships now, with orders open across the full lineup. ASA Auto Plaza serves buyers throughout Jackson, MN and the surrounding region, with the complete Charger lineup including R/T, Scat Pack, and Daytona Scat Pack Plus in two-door and four-door configurations. Whether you want 420 hp for the street or 670 hp from the all-electric Daytona, the team at ASA Auto Plaza can match you to the right build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2027 Dodge Charger come with AWD standard?
Yes. Every 2027 Dodge Charger comes standard with all-wheel drive, including the R/T, Scat Pack, and Daytona Scat Pack Plus across both two-door and four-door configurations. A selectable RWD mode lets drivers send 100% of torque to the rear wheels on demand.
How much more horsepower does the Charger R/T have than the Mustang EcoBoost?
The Charger R/T produces 420 hp compared to 315 hp in the Mustang EcoBoost, a 105 hp advantage. The Charger Scat Pack raises that further to 550 hp.
Does the 2026 Ford Mustang offer AWD?
No. The 2026 Ford Mustang is rear-wheel drive only across all trims and engine options. AWD is not available on any Mustang configuration.
Can you get the Charger as a four-door?
Yes. The 2027 Charger is available in both two-door and four-door body styles across all SIXPACK-powered trims (R/T and Scat Pack) and the Daytona Scat Pack Plus EV. The Mustang is available as a two-door fastback or convertible only.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Charger or the Mustang?
The 2026 Mustang EcoBoost returns 22 city / 33 highway per EPA estimates. The 2027 Charger R/T returns 17 city / 26 highway. The Mustang is more fuel-efficient for everyday driving.
Does the 2027 Charger Daytona have a Tesla Supercharger port?
Yes. The 2027 Charger Daytona Scat Pack Plus is the first Stellantis model to launch with a NACS charging port, giving it direct access to Tesla Supercharger stations without an adapter.
Is the Mustang available with a manual transmission?
Yes. The Mustang GT comes standard with a 6-speed manual, and the Dark Horse uses an exclusive TREMEC TR-3160 6-speed manual. The 2027 Charger uses an 8-speed automatic across all trims.
Where can I see the 2027 Dodge Charger in person near Jackson, MN?
ASA Auto Plaza in Jackson carries the 2027 Dodge Charger lineup. Use the inventory link on this page to check current availability, or contact the team to schedule a test drive.