When it comes to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, every metric imaginable is used by journalists and enthusiasts alike to determine which is the superior machine. The plain truth of the matter is that both Mustang and Camaro are fairly equally matched these days, with slight advantages going to one or another. That said, the 2016 Camaro doesn’t just have a bigger engine, more horsepower, and better track times…it’s also more fuel efficient too.
GM has released the official EPA fuel economy ratings for three versions of the 2016 Camaro, including both SS models and the V6/manual transmission version. Compared to the Mustang, the 2016 Camaro has a slight edge in fuel economy figures, especially when it comes to the V8 models.
The 2016 Camaro SS with an eight-speed automatic is surprisingly efficient for a 455 horsepower sports car, capable of up to 28 MPG in highway driving, but just 17 in the city for a combined 20 MPG rating. Opting for the six-speed manual drops both ratings, with city MPG sitting at 16 and highway fuel economy falling dramatically to just 25 for a combined rating of 19 MPG. In comparison, the Mustang GT with a six-speed automatic gets a similar 16/25/19 rating, while opting for the manual takes city MPG down to 15. No matter what way you cut it, the Camaro comes out on top, if only just.
Meanwhile, the 2016 Camaro with the 3.6 liter V7 engine and manual transmission combo nets 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway for a 21 MPG rating. The Mustang V6/manual also gets a 21 MPG rating, but with a 28 MPG highway rating and 17 MPG city rating, with both cars costing an estimated $1,600 a year in gasoline.
Still, it remains to be seen if the 2016 Camaro Turbo can provide a competitor to the Mustang EcoBoost, both in performance and fuel economy. We’ll check back daily until the ratings are out, but right now we’re betting GM will be able to edge out the Mustang in this category too.