Compare the2026 Ford MustangVS 2026 Toyota GR Corolla

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Mustang have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota GR Corolla doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Ford Mustang has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Mustang and GR Corolla have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GR Corolla’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Mustang and the GR Corolla have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mustang’s reliability 34 points higher than the GR Corolla.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Mustang first among sporty cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GR Corolla isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Toyota.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (315 vs. 300) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 295) than the GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 180 more horsepower (480 vs. 300) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 295) than the GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 186 more horsepower (486 vs. 300) and 123 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 295) than the GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder. The Mustang Dark Horse’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 200 more horsepower (500 vs. 300) and 123 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 295) than the GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang is faster than the Toyota GR Corolla (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota GR Corolla (automatics tested):

Motor Trend magazine performs a classic 0 to 100 MPH and back to 0 MPH performance test. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse completed this feat in only 11.9 seconds. It took the Toyota GR Corolla 19.9 seconds.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang (except Dark Horse)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GR Corolla requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR Corolla (16 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Ford Mustang comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GR Corolla.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the GR Corolla.

For better stopping power the Mustang Dark Horse’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR Corolla:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the GR Corolla:

For better traction, the Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR Corolla (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR Corolla’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The GR Corolla’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GR Corolla; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Mustang offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The GR Corolla’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the GR Corolla (107 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GR Corolla.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the GR Corolla’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.07 G’s, while the GR Corolla pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang Convertible handles at .95 G’s, while the GR Corolla pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.9 inches more rear hip room than the GR Corolla.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Mustang. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The GR Corolla has no towing capacity.

The Mustang uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GR Corolla uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Mustang is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GR Corolla. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

When three different drivers share the Mustang, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GR Corolla has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GR Corolla’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Mustang has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Toyota GR Corolla isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Mustang first among sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GR Corolla isn’t in the top three.