Camaro vs Mustang: Which Muscle Car to Rent in Dubai?

Camaro vs Mustang is the oldest argument in American muscle cars. People have been having it since 1967, in car parks, forums and family WhatsApp groups. In Dubai, it now comes with a twist.

Chevrolet stopped building the Camaro at the end of 2023. Ford still sells the Mustang new. So if you want to drive a Camaro today, you either buy a used one or you rent one. And if you can’t decide between the two, renting is the affordable way to find out.

We rent both cars every week, and we get asked the same question over and over: which one should I take? This guide is our honest answer. It covers the specs, how each car actually feels on Dubai roads, what they cost to rent and buy, and what you need to bring to the counter.

Camaro vs Mustang at a glance

Here’s the whole comparison in one table. The details follow below.

Is the Chevrolet Camaro discontinued?

Yes. In March 2023, Chevrolet announced that the sixth-generation Camaro would retire at the end of the 2024 model year. The last one, a ZL1 1LE, rolled off the line in Michigan in December 2023. Chevy sent it off with a Collector’s Edition package called “Panther”, a nod to the car’s original 1960s code name.

So you’ll sometimes see a “2025 Camaro” or “2026 Camaro” mentioned online. That car doesn’t exist. Every Camaro on UAE roads, in a showroom or in a rental fleet is a 2024 model or older.

The Mustang went the other way. Ford gave it a full redesign for 2024, with a new interior, new screens and a stronger V8, and it’s still on sale in the UAE today.

What this means for you:

• Want a new car? It’s the Mustang or nothing.
• Want a Camaro? Buy used, or rent one and enjoy it without the ownership headaches.

• Want to try both? Rent them back to back. It’s a weekend well spent.

Will there be a new Camaro?

Maybe. Chevrolet has said this “is not the end of Camaro’s story”, and GM Authority reported in August 2026 that a new Camaro is planned for the 2029 model year. That report is based on unnamed sources, though. Chevrolet hasn’t confirmed a date, a price or even what it will look like. Until it does, treat it as a rumour.

Engines and performance: Mustang GT vs Camaro SS, and the rest

On paper, these two have been trading punches for decades, and the gap between them is usually tiny. The fair way to compare them is trim against trim.

The entry models

The base Camaro uses a 3.6-litre V6 with 335 hp. It gets to 60 mph (97 km/h) in about 5.2 seconds, which is properly quick for a “starter” engine. Earlier Camaros also offered a 2.0-litre turbo with 275 hp, but Chevy dropped it before the final year.

The base Mustang uses a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder called the EcoBoost, with about 315 hp. It’s punchy and a little more economical, but it doesn’t sound like a muscle car. The V6 Camaro sounds a bit better.

The V8s: Mustang GT vs Camaro SS

This is the matchup most people mean when they say “Camaro vs Mustang”.

Camaro SS: 6.2-litre V8, 455 hp and 617 Nm of torque. 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds.

Mustang GT: 5.0-litre “Coyote” V8, 486 hp in UAE spec and 567 Nm.

In a straight line, there’s almost nothing in it. The Camaro’s bigger engine gives it more torque low down, so it shoves you forward harder away from the lights. The Mustang revs higher and makes its power further up the rev range. Both sound fantastic. The Camaro is a deeper rumble; the Mustang is a bit sharper and angrier near the top.

The top dogs

The fastest Camaro is the ZL1: a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 650 hp and 0 to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. Today’s fastest regular Mustang is the Dark Horse, with 500 hp from its 5.0-litre V8. The Dark Horse is sharper on a track, but the ZL1 is quicker in a straight line. Ford’s old Shelby GT500 (760 hp) was quicker still, but it’s no longer on sale.

Manual or automatic?

Both cars were sold with a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. In Dubai rental fleets, almost every car is automatic, which honestly suits stop-start Sheikh Zayed Road traffic far better.

So, is the Camaro faster than the Mustang? Trim for trim, they’re within a few tenths of a second. The Camaro ZL1 beats a Mustang GT or Dark Horse, but between the everyday V8s it comes down to the driver more than the car.

Driving them in Dubai

Spec sheets don’t tell you what it’s like to crawl through Downtown at 6pm or park at Dubai Mall on a Friday. This is where the two cars really split.

Handling and ride

The Camaro is the sharper car. It sits on the same platform GM used for Cadillac’s sports saloons, and you feel it: quick steering, very little body roll, and a chassis that loves a fast, twisty road. People who drive a Camaro for the first time are often surprised by how well it corners.

The trade-off is a firmer ride. You’ll feel the expansion joints on the flyovers and the odd patchy lane.

The Mustang is softer and more relaxed. It still goes round corners properly, but it’s happier being a grand tourer: comfortable at 120 km/h, easy over bumps, and less tiring after two hours behind the wheel. If you’re heading to Hatta or up Jebel Jais and back in one day, that matters.

Visibility

This is the Camaro’s biggest weakness, and we’d rather tell you now than have you find out on the E11. It has a high waistline, a low roof and small windows. The view over your shoulder is limited, and the pillars hide more than you’d expect. The reversing camera and blind-spot warning help, but you need to take your time changing lanes.

The Mustang is much easier to see out of. Bigger windows, thinner pillars, and a clearer view all round. If you’re new to Dubai roads, this alone might make the decision for you.

Summer heat and convertibles

Both cars get hot in the sun, and the Camaro’s steeply sloped windscreen lets a lot of it in. None of this means you should skip summer. It just means you plan a little:

• Ask us to pre-cool the car before handover.
• Keep the roof up in the day and drop it after sunset. A roof-down drive along the Marina at night is the whole point of a convertible here.
• In July and August, a coupe is the comfortable choice. From November to March, go convertible and enjoy it.

Parking

Both cars are around 1.9 metres wide, so tight mall car parks need a little care. The Mustang’s long bonnet actually makes it easier to judge where the front ends. In the Camaro, lean on the parking sensors and camera, and take the wider bays when you can.

Where to drive them

A few of our favourite runs for a muscle car: the climb up Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the road out to Hatta, the long empty stretches around Al Qudra, and a slow night cruise past Dubai Marina and JBR. Just remember that Dubai’s speed cameras are everywhere, and they don’t care what you’re driving.

Boot space, seats and tech

Nobody rents a muscle car for its practicality. But if you’re picking someone up from DXB, it suddenly matters a lot.

Boot space. The Mustang wins this easily. The coupe’s boot holds about 382 litres, against roughly 258 litres in the Camaro coupe. In the convertibles, it’s about 323 litres versus 207 litres. In real life, a Mustang will take two cabin bags and some shopping. A Camaro will take one cabin bag, if you’re lucky with the shape of the opening.

Seats. Both are 2+2s. The back seats are fine for children or a short hop to dinner, but adults over about 1.7 metres won’t be happy back there for long. The Camaro’s rear is the tighter of the two, with less headroom under that low roof.

Interior and tech. Here the Mustang’s newer design shows. You get a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.4-inch digital instrument panel, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It feels modern.

The Camaro has an 8-inch touchscreen with CarPlay and Android Auto, and a cabin that’s sporty but clearly older. The materials are harder and the layout is busier. It’s not bad, it’s just from a different era, and that’s part of its charm for some drivers.

How much does it cost to rent a Camaro or Mustang in Dubai?

Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: with us, the Camaro is the cheaper of the two.

Prices as of September 2026. The exact rate depends on the car, the colour or edition, and the season.

A few things worth knowing:

Mileage: 250 km a day is included, which is plenty for city driving plus a trip out to Hatta or Jebel Jais.

Delivery: free delivery within Dubai. We’ll bring the car to your hotel, home or office.

Insurance: basic insurance is included. Ask about upgraded cover if you want a lower excess.

Deposit: usually about the same as the rental cost, refunded after you return the car.

Minimum rental: some Camaros have a 2-day minimum.

Offers: longer rentals often come with free days. Ask when you book.

Themed editions. Besides the usual colours, we have Camaros and Mustangs in custom wraps and body kits. They’re a big hit for photo shoots, birthdays and weddings, so book early if you want a specific one.

How does that compare? Across Dubai, advertised rates run from under AED 200 a day for a basic Mustang to well over AED 500 for a V8 Camaro SS. The “from” price you see online is often for an older car or a long booking, so always check the year, the mileage limit and the deposit before you compare.

Check today’s Camaro rates · Check today’s Mustang rates

What you need to rent a muscle car in the UAE

The paperwork is simple, but it’s worth sorting before you land.

If you’re visiting:

• Your passport and visit visa (or entry stamp).
• Your home country driving licence.
• An International Driving Permit, if your country isn’t on the RTA’s approved list. Get it at home before you travel, because you can’t get one here. The RTA website lists which licences are accepted.

If you live in the UAE:

•  Your UAE driving licence.
• Your Emirates ID.

For everyone:

• Age: our minimum age for the Mustang is 21. Some companies ask for 25 or more for V8 cars, so check before you book.
• Salik tolls: AED 6 at peak times, AED 4 off-peak, and free between 1am and 6am. Tolls are added to your final bill.
• Traffic fines: any fines are charged back to the renter. Dubai’s cameras are very good at their job.

Which one is more popular?

The Mustang, and it isn’t close. In 2023, the last full year both were built, Ford sold 48,605 Mustangs in the US against 31,028 Camaros. In 2024, with Camaro production over, Chevy sold only about 5,860 as dealers cleared their last stock. Today the Mustang is the last traditional American pony car still in production.

Popular doesn’t always mean better, though. Plenty of drivers prefer the Camaro precisely because it’s rarer now.

Pros and cons

Chevrolet Camaro

Pros: the sharper, more precise drive; big torque from the 6.2 V8; aggressive, head-turning looks; cheaper to rent with us.

Cons: poor rear and side visibility; small boot and tight back seats; older interior and smaller screen; no longer made, so only used or rental.

Ford Mustang

Pros: comfortable on long drives; much easier to see out of; bigger boot; modern cabin with big screens; still sold new, with full dealer support.

Cons: costs more to rent; softer and less sharp on twisty roads; the EcoBoost doesn’t have the V8 soundtrack.

FAQs

Is the Camaro faster than the Mustang?

Trim for trim, they’re very close. A Camaro SS (455 hp) and a Mustang GT (486 hp in UAE spec) both reach 60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Camaro ZL1, with 650 hp, is quicker than a Mustang GT or Dark Horse in a straight line.

Is the Chevrolet Camaro discontinued?

Yes. Chevrolet ended the Camaro after the 2024 model year, and the last car was built in December 2023. You can still buy one used or rent one in Dubai. A new Camaro has been reported for around 2029, but Chevrolet hasn’t confirmed it.

Which is cheaper to rent in Dubai, Camaro or Mustang?

With Faster Rent a Car, the Camaro is cheaper. It starts from AED 279 a day, against AED 349 for the Mustang. Monthly rentals start at AED 4,499 for the Camaro and AED 6,499 for the Mustang. Rates vary by car and season.

What sells more, Mustang or Camaro?

The Mustang. In 2023, Ford sold 48,605 Mustangs in the US compared with 31,028 Camaros. In 2024, Camaro sales dropped to about 5,860 as dealers sold their final stock.

What’s more expensive, a Mustang or a Camaro?

Only the Mustang is sold new. In the UAE it ranges from about AED 182,600 to AED 293,000 depending on the version. Used Camaros cost much less, with most 2019 to 2024 V6 cars listed between AED 50,000 and AED 85,000.

Which has more boot space?

The Mustang. Its coupe boot holds about 382 litres, compared with about 258 litres in the Camaro coupe. If you’re collecting luggage from the airport, that difference really matters.

Can tourists rent a Camaro or Mustang in Dubai?

Yes. Bring your passport, visa and home driving licence. If your country isn’t on the RTA’s approved list, you’ll also need an International Driving Permit from home. Our minimum age for the Mustang is 21.

Can I drive a convertible in the Dubai summer?

You can, with a bit of planning. Ask for the car to be pre-cooled, keep the roof up during the day and drop it after sunset. In July and August, most people find a coupe more comfortable.