Car and Driver recently published a compelling comparison pitting two of the last remaining affordable and sporty daily drivers available with manual transmissions against each other: the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse and the 2023 BMW M2. This matchup explores the merits of each vehicle, especially when considering alternatives like the BMW 3 and 4 series, while acknowledging the Porsche 911’s higher price and performance tier, despite its daily driver practicality.
In their head-to-head test, Car and Driver’s data revealed interesting performance metrics when juxtaposed with previous comparisons, including the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE and the Ford Mustang GT with Performance Pack 2. Starting with pricing, the Mustang Dark Horse emerged as the most expensive at $78,755, even when considering the optional but perhaps dispensable $9,900 carbon fiber package. The BMW M2 followed at $75,345, while the older 2019 Camaro SS 1LE and S550 Mustang GT were significantly more affordable at around $51,500.
Performance figures from the Car and Driver test showcased the following 5-60 mph times: Camaro 2SS 1LE at 4.5 seconds, BMW M2 at 4.8 seconds, S550 Mustang GT at 5.0 seconds, and the Dark Horse at 5.1 seconds. For 0-100 mph, the M2 led at 8.8 seconds, followed by the Camaro at 9.1 seconds, the S550 Mustang at 9.5 seconds, and the Dark Horse at 9.9 seconds. Quarter-mile results were: M2 at 12.3 seconds at 119 mph, S550 Mustang at 12.5 seconds at 116 mph, Camaro at 12.6 seconds at 114 mph, and the Dark Horse at 12.7 seconds at 115 mph. Braking from 70-0 mph required 139 feet for the S550 Mustang, 140 feet for the Camaro, 141 feet for the Dark Horse, and 151 feet for the M2. Skidpad grip measured 1.13 g for the S550 Mustang, 1.11 g for the Camaro, 1.07 g for the Dark Horse, and 1.04 g for the M2. Weight-wise, the Dark Horse was heaviest at 3968 lbs, followed by the Camaro at 3821 lbs, the S550 Mustang at 3773 lbs, with the BMW M2 being the lightest at 3754 lbs. Fuel economy favored the M2 at 18 mpg, while the Dark Horse achieved 14 mpg.
Car and Driver’s subjective driving impressions noted the Mustangs’ relative lack of torque and tendency for tramlining. They pointed out the Dark Horse’s infotainment system as slow to start and sluggish in response. The Camaro was praised for its precision but deemed less playful, hindered by its interior and limited visibility. The BMW M2, in contrast, was lauded for being playful, easy to drive fast, and possessing a smooth, powerful engine with good visibility. Despite the Dark Horse’s appealing V8 soundtrack, the BMW M2 ultimately won the comparison. The takeaway from Car and Driver’s review suggests that the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, while carrying a significantly higher price tag than previous Mustang iterations, doesn’t represent a substantial performance leap beyond models like the S550 PP2 or Mach 1, especially considering the price increase of approximately $25,000 over five years for what is fundamentally an evolution of the same car, albeit with updated touchscreens. The review implies that with a focus on weight reduction and increased displacement, the performance outcome might have been different. However, the reality is a considerable price increase for comparable performance in the Mustang Dark Horse compared to its predecessors, raising questions about value, especially when considering persistent issues like tramlining.
