Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE vs Ford Mustang Mach 1 - Head to Head Review!

Which naturally aspirated, track-ready muscle car is better to drive? Couldn't have asked for more closely matched competitors in my first ever muscle car comparo!

[metooblueshoes]

As a mach1 HP owner I can say that I really appreciate this review. The most apples to apples comparison I've seen. Btw I've always thought that 1 and 2ss 1le cars were also awesome cars. Camaro and Mustang truly need each other for us the consumer to have the best version of our cars

[punkmypickle]

I agree with your assessment on both these cars! I have had the privilege of owning a GT350 for two years with 5 track days, and been in a few SS1LE and ZL1 1LE on the track to compare. I have to say that the Camaro's chassis is just on another level of sophistication. Its downside is truly the engine, not in terms of capability but in terms of lacking emotion and reward for revving it out. The voodoo engine on the other hand completely makes the car. The violent sound and vibrations it makes all the way to red line really rewards the driver for pushing the car.

[QueTheChaotic]

I agree with a lot of your points. I’ve owned an SS 1LE, GT350, and ZL1. I’ve driven a Mach 1 too. The SS 1LE is the best value. It’s much cheaper than a Mach 1. I do love the characteristics of the coyote more. The Mach 1 will tramline a lot for a daily. The aftermarket can fox that. The ZL1 is a lot of car to handle unless you have a large track to drive it on. I had more fun in my SS 1LE

[GrimSRT]

I bought a 2SS 1LE last month. I considered the Mach-1, GT PP1, Supra 3.0 and Nissan Z. To me, the SS 1LE offers by far the best performance for the money in the new car market. I came from a Focus RS so I naturally wanted to stay with Ford, but I just couldn’t justify the additional cost of the Mach-1 vs the 1LE. With the performance options I wanted on the Mach-1, I was well over $65K. The Mustang is minimally $10K too expensive compared to the Camaro.

[rabbitweasel]

I got a Mach1 and I'm very satisfied with it and daily drive it too. That said, both of these cars are awesome. You can't go wrong with either.

[sunburn]

I am the current owner of a 21’ GT Premium PP1 with the 6 speed, my 4th FIVE OH and 2nd S550 MK 2. I also owned an 18’ SS 1LE. And an 07’ C6Z in Lemans Blue to demonstrate I am not a FORD Fanboy as I’ve owned two GM performance cars and my wife currently drives a 21’ Tahoe, 1 st year of the redesign. So my FORD/GM buys are almost identical in QTY. I really appreciate your assessment. You were more honest than the majority of YT Car reviewers when comparing the SS 1LE to any FIVE OH really… all media crowned the SS champ long ago and like sheep, they all pick the SS over the 5.0 each and every time, just like sheep. This MACH 1 has objectively caught up and even surpassed the SS in many facets. And yes, the MACH 1 was faster than the SS 1LE at VIR for the. C and D Lightning also by a whopping 3 seconds. It also beat the GT350R by 1/2 second and the Mustang PP2 by 2 seconds. That’s 1, 2, 3 mustangs ahead of the SS. 4 if you count the GT500 but that’s not fair. This MACH 1 deserves love by the media. It’s a phenomenal car and it’s proven to be faster on track than the SS in many examples. Thanks for your unwillingness to fall at the fee of the SS and keeping sn open mind and giving the Mach 1 its due, even if you picked the SS for your track car:..

[sunburn]

An honest assessment. I appreciate that. The MACH 1 put down a better lap time than even the mighty GT350R on C and D’s lightning lap and it was 3 seconds quicker than the Camaro. 3 seconds on a track is an eternity BTW… being the fastest track car and far more liveability as a daily driver. The MACH 1 is the discerners choice here

[foxracer]

I've fallen in love with the 1LE's

[ktownogg]

Just sold my SS 1LE and reviews like this make me seriously regret it. It could handle anything I threw at it. Even at the track the brakes never showed sign of fade and the engine temps were never a concern. I may have made a mistake...

[JBWHITEGT]

Both are equally badass... GM is messing up killing the camaro again. SMH.

[DreamWaves]

I have a GT350, and when you were commenting on the Mach 1's higher revving power band, that's what the GT350 experience is all about and then some. While there's not much torque down low, when you do get a chance to wined it out, it is super exhilarating. I've driven cars with more low-end torque, and while they are punchy and fun at take off, they tend to flatten out up top, and it is more difficult to put the power down. The GT350 just grips and rips, and it keeps pulling harder and harder -- all the way to redline.

[ashtonmasters]

Mach 1 hands down for I'm a street guy, not a track guy, and all about driving daily, and there is just something about that Coyote motor that is like magic!!!

[chiefgoose]

Definitely the Camaro 1LE is best bang for the buck. I have a 2018 2SS 1LE manual and it’s such a joy to drive on curvy roads. Handles like a dream. Competes with cars that cost 3 times as much on road course tracks

[arkadiusw.]

Your reviews keep getting better and better! Keep em coming

[brandonanderson]

Bang for you buck the SS 1le is unbeatable. However, the sound of the 5.0 is just perfect… you also need to keep the sport cup 2’s on the Mach 1, handles amazing on dry surfaces and proper temps.

[StirlingMossDrives]

Awesome review. I always preferred the camaro chassis over the mustang. Hence why I own a ss1le. 3 years and it’s still one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. Never had an issue with it.

[roadracing]

Wrong tires on the 1LE. I’ve driven an SS 1LE with the OE Goodyear SuperCar 3’s and with the Michelin 4S and the latter kills the steering feel and response.

[Driver]

Agree about the visibility, but there is the CTS V! I know the voodoo engine is special but the cayote with the Tremec is special as well.

[Mors_Atra_]

I have a 2018 1le and have absolutely no complaints about the car. It's fbo, h/c/drop ins, supporting mods, flex fuel, lth, full exhaust. It's awesome to drive.

[jcshobbiesandrecreation]

Great comparison. You came to a lot of the same conclusions that I did when I considered trading my 2017 Camaro 2SS for the Mach 1. I spent a little money and added all the factory 1LE suspension, wheels and tires to my 2SS and it is a very capable car and more than any sane person would need on a twisty road. To me the Mach 1 was just too soft, every input was met with a delay then the car would respond. Turn the wheel and wait, hit the brakes and wait and the most annoying part was the way the Coyote makes power. Stab the throttle and guess WAIT!! I'm just accustomed to the way the Camaro hits you with the torque down low. It's more fun to drive and a whole lot easier to throw around.

I can always tell someone that doesn't own a Camaro as their firs comment is about the visibility. Cracks me up every time I hear it. When I bought my car back in 2017 I was ready for this horrific visibility and not being able to see anything. The moment I sat in the car i started wondering what everyone was referring to as I don't feel that way at all. By the time I made it back to the highway after picking my car up I was completely comfortable in it and have no issues driving it in traffic around town and on the highway.