Head-to-head
2026 Aston Martin DB12 S vs 2026 Ford Mustang
The Aston Martin DB12 S wins clearly, 89.4 to 70.9, on safety, tech & comfort, performance. The Ford Mustang is ahead on fuel & range.
A*
2026 Aston Martin DB12 S
The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S is sold in the U.S. as a gas coupe. The most efficient version, the DB12 S, is EPA-rated at 17 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall …
vs
C2026 Ford Mustang
The 2026 Ford Mustang is sold in the U.S. as a gas coupe with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Mustang, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combin…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Aston Martin DB12 S
Clear winThe Aston Martin DB12 S wins clearly, 89.4 to 70.9, on safety, tech & comfort, performance. The Ford Mustang is ahead on fuel & range.
Safety 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S leads by 32.9
Fuel & range 2026 Ford Mustang leads by 42.5
Tech & comfort 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S leads by 39.4
| Category · weight | 2026 Ford Mustangoverall 70.9 | 2026 Aston Martin DB12 Soverall 89.4 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 57.5 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 67.1 | 100 | |||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 50.2 | 100 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 60.6 | 100 | |||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Overall | 70.9 | 89.4 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Ford Mustang: base trim EcoBoost Fastback RWD · Aston Martin DB12 S: base trim DB12 S RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S wins
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 16.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (33 points against 20 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 71).
Where the 2026 Ford Mustang answers
- It costs $2,250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,600 against $4,850).
- It is rated 26 combined against 17 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
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Specifications side by side
36 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $32,995 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 8 |
| Engine displacement | 2,300 cc | 4,000 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.3L EcoBoost® 4-cylinder | All-alloy quad overhead cam 4.0L twin-turbo V8 |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 315 hp | 690 hp |
| Torque | 350 lb-ft | 590 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (combined) | — | 23.7 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.15 limited-slip rear axle | 3.083:1 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 4.7 in |
| Overall height | 55 in | 50.8 in |
| Overall length | 189 in | 186 in |
| Overall width | 81.9 in | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 110 in |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 4 |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent | Independent double wishbone with coil springs and anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | Independent | Multi-link with coil springs and anti-roll bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) with Selectable Effort | Variable electric power assistance rack and pinion (EPAS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 20.3 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 320 mm | 410 mm |
| Front brake type | Vented disc, 2-piston calipers | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric | Electric |
| Rear brake diameter | 320 mm | 360 mm |
| Rear brake type | Vented disc, single-piston calipers | Carbon ceramic disc with four-piston calipers |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 21 in |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | 8 in | 9.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P235/50ZR18 | Front 275/35ZR21; Rear 325/30ZR21 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 20.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 93 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Ford Connectivity Package | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
163 features · differences first, then sharedSafety31 differ · 38 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control Stop & Go (ACC) | — | std |
| 3D Surround View System (3D SVS) | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Assist (RCTA) | — | std |
| Front-Seat Side-Impact Airbags | std | — |
| Lane Depature Warning (LDW) | — | std |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Driver Attention Assist (DAA) | — | std |
| Front and rear parking sensors with visual indicator | — | std |
| Active rear brake lights | — | std |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS) | — | std |
| Automatic Emergency braking (AEB) | — | std |
| Belt-Minder® Front Safety Belt Reminder | std | — |
| Door Exit Assist (DEW) | — | std |
| Driver's Knee Airbag | std | — |
| Dynamic torque vectoring (DTV) | — | std |
| Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) | — | std |
| Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ | std | — |
| Hands Off Detection (HOD) | — | std |
| Hydraulic brake assist (HBA) | — | std |
| LATCH Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors For Children | std | — |
| Matrix High Beam Control (MHB) - Market Dependant | — | std |
| Personal Safety System™ For Driver and Front Passenger | std | — |
| Positive torque control (PTC) | — | std |
| Seatbelt pre-tensioners | — | std |
| Seatbelts - Seatbelt occupancy detection and indication | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | std | — |
| Traction control (TC) | — | std |
| Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) | — | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System | std | — |
| Vehicle alarm and immobiliser | — | std |
| Forward Collision warning (FCW) | std | std |
| Airbags - Driver & front passenger, with passenger deactivation | std | std |
| Lane Keep Assist (LKA) | std | std |
| Front and rear parking sensors with visual indicator | std | std |
| Auto High Beam Control (AHB) | std | std |
| Blind Spot Assist (BSA) | std | std |
| Dynamic stability control (DSC) | std | std |
Infotainment24 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| SOS Emergency Call (EU / Rus only) | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (Wi-Fi Hotspot) | opt | — |
| 10.25" TFT driver information display | — | std |
| 10.25" TFT Touch Screen Central Display | — | std |
| 12.4" Cluster Display and 13.2" Center Display | std | — |
| 390-watt 11 Speaker Aston Martin Audio System | — | std |
| 4G Modem | std | — |
| 6-Speaker Sound System, AM/FM Stereo MP3 Capable | std | — |
| AM/FM/HD/DAB radio | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay Ultra® (Apple CarPlay Ultra® is now available across our core range subject to availability according to vehicle model and market. Please contact your local dealership for more information.) | — | std |
| B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, 12-Speakers, AM/FM Stereo MP3 Capable and HD Radio™ | opt | — |
| Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with audio streaming | — | std |
| Ford App Remote Start | std | — |
| High-Mounted Mirror USB Charging Port | std | — |
| Magnesium Framed Panoramic Curved Display | opt | — |
| Natural Voice control | — | std |
| Satellite navigation system | — | std |
| SiriusXM Satellite radio (US/CA only) | — | std |
| SiriusXM® with 360L and HD Radio™ | std | — |
| Sync® 4 | std | — |
| Track Apps® | std | — |
| USB Ports - Smart-Charging (2) | std | — |
| USB ports (x2) | — | std |
| Wireless Phone Charging | — | std |
Convenience5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Keyless entry with remote central locking | — | std |
| Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start | std | — |
| Keyless start/stop button | — | std |
| 12v charging socket | — | std |
| Electric windows | — | std |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic 2-zone climate control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | std | — |
| Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control | std | — |
Seating5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cooled Front Seats | opt | — |
| Heated seats | opt | std |
| 4-Way Manual Passenger Seat | std | — |
| 50/50 Split-Bench Folding Rear Seat | std | — |
| Cloth Front Bucket Seats | std | — |
Interior18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | opt | — |
| Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror | — | std |
| "Made in Great Britain" engine inspection plaque | — | std |
| Ambient lighting | — | std |
| Anodised aluminium sill plaques with Aston Martin wings | — | std |
| Cabin courtesy lighting | — | std |
| Carpeted cabin | — | std |
| Door integrated puddle lighting | — | std |
| Door sill plaques - anodised with 'Aston Martin' wings | — | std |
| Door stowage pockets | — | std |
| Electric steering column tilt & reach adjustment | — | std |
| Front centre armrest | — | std |
| Front centre armrests with cubby stowage | — | std |
| Glovebox | — | std |
| Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column | std | — |
| Twin cupholders | — | std |
| Sun visors with illumintaed vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Floor Mats - 1st Row Carpeted, Black | std | — |
Exterior34 differ · 35 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 21" Forged Alloy Wheels | — | std |
| 6-Vane metal grille | — | std |
| Active Valve Performance Exhaust with Black Tips | opt | — |
| Bi-LED headlights | — | std |
| Black bonnet mesh | — | std |
| Bright Chrome exhaust finishers | — | std |
| Bright Chrome side strakes | — | std |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps | std | — |
| Deployable spoiler with Aston Martin Aeroblade ™ system | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | std | — |
| Extruded Bonded Aluminium Body Structure with Composite Panels | — | std |
| Front 21''x 9.5J - AML Specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5: 275/35/ZR21 | — | std |
| Gloss Black window surround (Coupe Only) | — | std |
| Laminated windscreen with clear noise-insulation layer | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | — | std |
| LED High & Low beam headlamps with Auto High Beam (AHB), integrated direction indicator, daytime running lights, position lamp & lock/unlock graphic theatre | — | std |
| LED light blade tail lamps | — | std |
| LED Projector Headlamps with LED Signature Lighting | std | — |
| LED rear fog and reverse lights | — | std |
| LED Sequential Taillights | std | — |
| LED tail lights - red | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview - Heated | opt | — |
| Mustang RTR® Package (optional) | opt | — |
| Painted Black Roof (optional) | opt | — |
| Rear 21" x 11.5J - AML Specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5: 325/30/ZR21 | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster | std | — |
| Shark Fin Antenna | std | — |
| Swan Wing opening, infinite stop, frameless doors | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | std | — |
| Two Door Coupe Body Style with 2+2 Seating | — | std |
| Wedge Decklid Spoiler (optional) | opt | — |
| Automatic headlights with Auto High Beam (AHB) | — | std |
| Heated rear window | — | std |
| Mini Spare Wheel and Tire | opt | — |
| Rain sensing windscreen wipers | std | std |
Powertrain16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Speed Automatic Transmission | std | — |
| 2.3L EcoBoost® Engine | std | — |
| 3.15 Limited-Slip Rear Axle | std | — |
| 4 driver selectable powertrain calibrations (GT, Sport, Sport +, Wet) | — | std |
| All-alloy quad overhead cam, 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 | — | std |
| Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft | — | std |
| Compression Ratio 8.6 | — | std |
| Direct Injection - Sequential electronic fuel injection | — | std |
| Dual Twin Scroll Turbochargers (one per bank) | — | std |
| Engine stop/start | — | std |
| Final drive ratio 3.083:1 | — | std |
| Four catalytic converters with oxygen sensors | — | std |
| Launch Control | std | — |
| Rear mid-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system | — | std |
| Selectable Drive Modes | std | — |
| Wet sump pressurised system | — | std |
| Electronic differential (E-Diff) | std | std |
Chassis18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.375 turns lock-to-lock | — | std |
| Adaptive Damping System (ADS) | — | std |
| Electric Hand Operated Parking Brake (Drift Brake) | opt | — |
| Electric park brake | — | std |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) with Selectable Effort | std | — |
| Electronic Line-Lock (Track Use Only) | std | — |
| Front independent double wishbone design coil springs and anti-roll bar | — | std |
| Front ventilated two-piece carbon ceramic brake discs Ø410 X 38mm with six-piston calipers | — | std |
| Hydraulic Gas-Pressurized Dampers, Outboard-Mounted | std | — |
| Independent Rear Suspension | std | — |
| Intelligent DTX Dampers utilising Skyhook Technology | — | std |
| MagneRide® Damping System | opt | — |
| Non-Isolated steering column | — | std |
| Rear carbon ceramic brake discs Ø360 x 38mm with four-piston calipers | — | std |
| Rear multi-link suspension, with coil springs and anti-roll bar | — | std |
| Speed-proportional steering with 13:09:01 ratio | — | std |
| Variable Electrical Power Assistance, rack & pinion steering system (EPAS) | — | std |
| Vented Four-Wheel Disc Power Brakes | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPFord Mustang
Safety Signal 71 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 5 · 2 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 8 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Engine (3), Service Brakes (2), Electrical System (2)
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 26V547000 · 148,663 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V205000 · 278 vehicles
- high Engine 25V828000 · 6 vehicles
- moderate Visibility 26V418000 · 67,842 vehicles
Aston Martin DB12 S
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ford MustangEcoBoost Fastback RWD | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $32,995 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $32,995 – $106,090 10 trims | — 1 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Mustang | DB12 S |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 26 | 17 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,600 | $4,850 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Ford Mustang or the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S?
The Aston Martin DB12 S wins clearly, 89.4 to 70.9, on safety, tech & comfort, performance. The Ford Mustang is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S scores 89.4 and the 2026 Ford Mustang 70.9. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Ford Mustang or the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S?
2026 Ford Mustang: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 5 recalls (2 filed with no repair available). 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Ford Mustang and the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S?
Where the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S wins: it lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 16, lists more comfort and tech equipment (33 points against 20 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 71). Where the 2026 Ford Mustang answers: it costs $2,250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,600 against $4,850) and is rated 26 combined against 17 (EPA mpg or MPGe).