Car and Driver recently pitted two of the most exciting, relatively affordable, and practical sporty coupes with manual transmissions against each other: the 2023 BMW M2 and the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. This comparison naturally draws interest from enthusiasts considering daily drivers that offer both performance and engagement, similar to how the BMW 2 Series, 3 Series, and 4 Series models are often evaluated, though perhaps below the price and performance tier of a Porsche 911. To add context, let’s also consider some figures from a previous Car and Driver comparison involving the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE and the Ford Mustang GT with Performance Pack 2 (PP2).
When it comes to price, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse emerged as the more expensive option at $78,755, despite the 2023 BMW M2 costing $75,345. It’s worth noting that the Dark Horse’s price included a $9,900 carbon fiber package, which is an optional add-on. In contrast, back in 2019, both the Camaro 2SS 1LE and the Ford Mustang S550 GT were priced around $51,500.
Analyzing performance metrics, the BMW M2 consistently outperformed the Ford Mustang Dark Horse in key areas:
| Performance Metric | 2023 BMW M2 | 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse | 2019 Camaro 2SS 1LE | 2019 Mustang GT PP2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-60 mph | 4.8 sec | 5.1 sec | 4.5 sec | 5.0 sec |
| 0-100 mph | 8.8 sec | 9.9 sec | 9.1 sec | 9.5 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 12.3 @ 119 mph | 12.7 @ 115 mph | 12.6 @ 114 mph | 12.5 @ 116 mph |
| 70-0 mph Braking | 151 ft | 141 ft | 140 ft | 139 ft |
| Skidpad | 1.04 g | 1.07 g | 1.11 g | 1.13 g |
| Weight | 3754 lbs | 3968 lbs | 3821 lbs | 3773 lbs |
| MPG | 18 | 14 | N/A | N/A |
Car and Driver’s driving impressions highlighted some drawbacks of the Mustang Dark Horse, noting a lack of low-end torque and a tendency for tramlining. They also criticized the Dark Horse’s infotainment system for slow startup and sluggish responses. The Camaro, while praised for its precise handling, was deemed less playful and suffered from a less practical interior with poor outward visibility.
In contrast, the BMW M2 was lauded as playful, easy to drive fast, and possessing a smooth, rev-happy, and powerful engine. Its good outward visibility was also a plus. Despite the Mustang Dark Horse boasting a great V8 engine sound, the BMW M2 emerged as the winner in this comparison.
The key takeaway is that Ford’s Mustang Dark Horse, despite its increased price tag, doesn’t represent a significant performance leap over previous models like the S550 PP2 or Mach 1. The substantial price increase of approximately $25,000 over the last five years for what is fundamentally a similar car, albeit with updated touchscreens, raises questions about value, especially considering that performance metrics haven’t drastically improved. While the Dark Horse benefits from a Tremec transmission not available on the S550 PP2, issues like tramlining persist, suggesting areas for improvement in chassis geometry or tire selection. Ultimately, the comparison underscores the BMW M2’s strengths as a well-rounded and engaging performance coupe in the current market.
