Compare the2026 Subaru BRZVS 2026 Ford Mustang

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Mustang doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The BRZ Limited Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Mustang doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the BRZ and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Subaru BRZ is safer than the Mustang Fastback:

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 13th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the BRZ lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Mustang doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the BRZ gets better mileage than the Mustang Fastback:

The BRZ has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The BRZ stops much shorter than the Mustang:

The BRZ’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mustang’s standard 50 series tires.

The BRZ Limited handles at .99 G’s, while the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the BRZ’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The BRZ’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The Subaru BRZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1150 pounds less than the Ford Mustang.

The BRZ is 1 foot, 9.5 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the BRZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The BRZ is 5.5 inches narrower on average than the Mustang, making the BRZ easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the BRZ Limited is quieter than the Mustang GT Premium Fastback:

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the BRZ easier. The BRZ’s trunk lift-over height is 27.1 inches, while the Mustang’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 35% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

The BRZ’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Ford does not offer a locking feature on the Mustang’s standard power windows.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the BRZ’s exterior PIN entry system. The Mustang doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its 911 Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the BRZ has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The BRZ’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Mustang.

The BRZ has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Mustang doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Compared to the Ford Mustang, the Subaru BRZ eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Subaru BRZ’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Mustang.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru BRZ and the Ford Mustang, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BRZ was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 4 more times in the last 13 years. The Mustang has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.