Speedy and stylish, the 2020 Ford Mustang and Toyota 86 can’t help but catch your eye. But which of these sports coupes should you drive home? Keystone Ford’s comparison guide takes a look.
Iconic Style: 2020 Ford Mustang
The 2020 Ford Mustang combines vintage design with modern flourishes. With its big, aggressive-looking grille and sleek fastback roof, the Mustang is accustomed to turning heads. Bold color options — like Grabber Lime, Twister Orange, Rapid Red, and Velocity Blue — make it even easier to stand apart in a crowd.
Outside, the 2020 Toyota 86 is also sleek and sporty. Unlike the Mustang, though, the 86 isn’t quite as iconic. And, instead of standing apart in a crowd, the Toyota 86 is hard to tell apart from competitors like the Subaru BRZ.
Interior Space & Comfort: 2020 Ford Mustang
Ford’s sleek sports coupe makes excellent use of space, especially in the front seats. A healthy range of adjustments in both the driver’s seat and steering wheel make it easy for anybody to get into the perfect driving position. The automatic climate control system is equally excellent, maintaining your desired temperature in spite of any weather predicaments. Choose either of the Mustang Premium models for a little extra style, including leather upholstery, a nine-speaker audio system, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system.
Inside the Toyota 86, you’ll find clean-cut cabin design and modern ergonomics, with important controls within easy reach. However, the 86 is the more compact of these four-passenger models, with less space for you and your favorite passengers. The 86 doesn’t offer quite as many upscale features, either. For example, the GT comes with simulated suede front-seat trim, but leather upholstery isn’t available.
Humming Horsepower: 2020 Ford Mustang
When it’s speed you want, the Mustang obliges with two sporty engine options, both of which can be upgraded to high-performance versions of themselves. Mustang EcoBoost models use a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Add the High Performance package to these models for 330 horses.
The Mustang GT is even quicker, thanks in part to its 5.0-liter V8 engine, a beast that pumps out 460 horses and 420 pound-feet of torque. Add the Performance package to your Mustang GT to boost output to 480 horses.
On the other hand, every 2020 Toyota 86 comes with the same engine, a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine. With the six-speed manual transmission, the engine gives you 205 horses and 156 pound-feet of torque. With the six-speed automatic, those figures drop to 200 horses and 151 pound-feet. Any way you look at it, the 86 can’t compete with the Mustang.
Max Fuel Economy: 2020 Toyota 86
As the smaller, less powerful model, it’s not surprising that the Toyota 86 gives you a little extra fuel economy. Depending on configuration and equipment, this little sports coupe earns up to 27 mpg combined (24 city/32 highway mpg).
However, although the Mustang is substantially more powerful, it barely trails the 86 in terms of fuel economy. In its most economic form (turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 10-speed automatic transmission), the Mustang is EPA-rated for 25 mpg combined (21/32 mpg). That’s a solid balance of power and efficiency.
Although the 2020 Toyota 86 is thriftiest at the gas pump, the 2020 Ford Mustang has more of what you want in a sports coupe. That includes style, speed, and even interior space. The Mustang also impresses with its high-tech infotainment and safety features. To see what we mean, visit us at Keystone Ford, your Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Mustang expert.