"Superheroes": Top 5 Most Popular Muscle Cars from the US

Columbus experts have collected information about five muscle car models that Georgians most often buy in the United States. Anyone can compare their current prices in Georgia (from open sources) and the cost of acquiring one with turnkey delivery by Columbus from the US to Georgia.

Since production began in the 1960s, these cars had been called Super Cars; the term Muscle Cars came much later. For many, to this day they are the supercars of superheroes, made famous by American movies. Modern representatives of the muscular pack are not shy of some Hollywood flair either. It is not surprising that the demand on them throughout the world never drops. The popularity of these “supercars” is also supported by their affordable prices and the prospect of owning a car, the cost of which will grow over the years: muscle cars are highly valued by those who just love to have a blast as well as by collectors.

Classics and modern cars

Classic muscle cars include specific models of mid-size two-door sedans, hardtops and coupes, produced primarily between 1964 and 1973 and equipped with large and powerful 8-cylinder engines. The ideology of the muscle car is simple, like the cast-iron cylinder block installed on it - it is fast, has a powerful engine (up to 7-7.4 liters by the 1970s with about 450 hp) and is relatively affordable car with a modern body design, while still being suitable for everyday use.

In the 1960s and 70s, small cars were available in the lineups of almost all American brands, including AMC, which traditionally focused on compact and efficient models (by American standards), and more luxury brands such as Buick or Mercury.

Strictly speaking, classic muscle cars disappeared in the early 80s, with the release of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD455. By this time, the remaining models were either discontinued or became nothing more than a name, essentially turning into more affordable versions of luxury coupes.

In 2004, muscle cars came to limelight again - the concept of the turned out to be tenacious. The modern Pontiac GTO was introduced in the United States, which was actually an imported Holden Monaro under the Pontiac brand. In 2005, the Chrysler 300C debuted. That same year, Ford introduced the fifth generation Ford Mustang, which was closely designed after the original first generation Ford Mustang. The fifth generation brought back the aggressive features and original colors.

In 2006, GM relaunched the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with an eight-cylinder engine, the first V8 engine in a Monte Carlo in 15 years. This engine was later installed on the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, Buick Lacrosse Super, and Chevrolet Impala SS as a more powerful version of the standard Impala with supercharged V6 and V8 engines.

In 2008, Chrysler relaunched the Dodge Challenger, which returned to the original design from the 1970s. A year later, based on a similar idea, Chevrolet launched the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, which shares similarities with the first-generation 1969 Camaro.

GM retired the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird in 2002, but brought back the Pontiac GTO in 2004. In 2009, a new generation of Chevrolet Camaro was released including more powerful RS and SS versions.

In the spring of 2004, Chrysler introduced the rear-wheel drive LX platform, which served as the basis for a new line of rear-wheel drive V8 HEMI-powered Dodge Chargers. In 2005, a new Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line, with design reminiscent of the 1967-1968 model. In 2008, the production of the Dodge Challenger very similar to the design of its “ancestor” model began, taking the same path as the new Camaro and the new Mustang.

Today, there are 5 cars produced in the United States that can be classified as muscle cars: Ford Mustang (including the electric Mach-E option), Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chevrolet Camaro.

1. CHEVROLET CAMARO LS (2019)

• Engine: 2.0L
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
• Drive: rear
• Fuel consumption: 10.7-11.8L/100 km (city)

In 2019, Chevrolet refreshed the appearance of the sixth-generation Camaro sports car, which has been produced in the United States since 2015. The manufacturer also updated the infotainment system software and added another safety feature to those already existing in the car - a forward collision warning system.

The car was produced in seven trim levels (convertible and coupe, 1LS – coupe only). The base 1LS is a pretty decent version. It is equipped with a 275-horsepower 2-liter turbocharged engine and is available with a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic. Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, six-speaker audio with radio, Bluetooth, USB port, Wi-Fi hotspot, keyless entry and start, rearview camera, Teen Driver security system, cloth upholstery , limited-slip differential and 18-inch wheels.

The Camaro is fun to drive. The car holds on the turns, the steering is responsive, and its brakes are tenacious and reliable. The suspension is energy-intensive and is good at absorbing bumps on the road.

The interior of the car is distinguished by a laconic style with retro style details. The only things that slightly spoil it all, are the cramped rear seats which can only fit two smaller passengers, as well as a small trunk of 257 liters.

On the other hand, people clearly don’t buy a car like this to work as an Uber driver or haul cargo.

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $19,000.

From a private seller in Georgia: from $29,900 to $39,000+.

2. FORD MUSTANG (2019)

• Engine: 2.3L
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
• Drive: front
• Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100 km (city)

The sixth generation of the Ford Mustang sports car is considered one of the best in its class: the car is praised for its excellent handling, successful line of engines, and great passive and active safety features. Even the trunk is pretty decent for its class - 382 liters.

The 2019 Mustang came in 4 standard trim levels: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT and GT Premium. Each of them came in fastback coupe and convertible bodies. The first two had a base engine of 2.3 liters producing 310 hp, while the last two came with monstrous 5-liter 460-horsepower V8s.

The base EcoBoost trim comes with cloth seats and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with a 4.2-inch display, six speakers, Bluetooth and two USB ports.

EcoBoost Premium features leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power front seats, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support and nine speakers instead of six.

You can choose between a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. Curiously, the city consumption for both is the same - 11.2L/100 km. The manual transmission wins slightly in terms of efficiency when driving on the highway, having a rated consumption of 7.4 liters versus 7.6L/100 km for the automatic.

The Mustang offers a great combination of athleticism and comfort. In America it is considered the main (and dominant) competitor of the Chevrolet Camaro.

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $20,000.

From a private seller in Georgia: from $27,500 to $58,000.

3. DODGE CHARGER SXT (2019)

• Engine: 3.6L
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive: rear / AWD
• Fuel consumption: 12.4L/100 km (city)

For 2019, Dodge cut its Charger sedan lineup in half, leaving just six trim levels on sale out of nearly a dozen: SXT, SXT AWD, GT, R/T, Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat. For those looking for an every day car with a sporty side to it, rather than a full-fledged sports car, we recommend one of the two trim levels - the basic SXT or the more expensive all-wheel drive SXT AWD.

Both are equipped with 3.6-liter V6 engines, but differing in horse power - the base V6 has 292 hp while the all-wheel drive SXT AWD has a little extra. Both gasoline engines come alongside a 8-speed automatic transmission and give the sedan decent acceleration whether it’s from a traffic light or overtaking someone on the highway.

Standard features of the SXT include a Uconnect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen (SXT AWD has an 8.4-inch), Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, two USB ports, voice recognition and satellite radio.

Standard on both trims are also cloth upholstery, power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knobs, alloy wheels, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors.

The powerful base engine, balanced, sporty handling and spacious interior make the Charger a practical choice for performance car enthusiasts who are fed up with the overly sporty design of most modern sports cars.

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $23,000.

From a private seller in Georgia: from $37,000.

4. DODGE CHALLENGER SXT (2019)

• Engine: 3.6L
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive: rear
• Fuel consumption: 12.4L/100 km (city)

Dodge's two-door coupe features an extensive lineup of powerful V6 and V8 engines. But even the base 305-horsepower V6 delivers great torque, quick throttle response and smooth high-rpm performance. Paired with an 8-speed automatic, it confidently takes the Challenger to top speed without increasing fuel consumption.

The Challenger doesn't feel as nimble on the road as its main rivals, the Mustang and Camaro - it is a big, 2-ton coupe, after all - but it's still fun to drive. The tires hold down the car well in corners, the brakes are grippy, the steering is light and responsive, and the suspension is energy-intensive and comfortable.

The Challenger's interior boasts high-quality finishes, with close to premium materials. The car looks modern inside, while maintaining the image of the good old muscle car.

The base SXT trim already has everything a driver needs. Other options only provide for the more powerful engine or technical features that improve the car's driving characteristics and performance.

Standard equipment includes the Unconnect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, two USB ports, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, a rearview camera, proximity access, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Options include an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, leather upholsteryб heated front seats and steering wheel, a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, a forward collision warning system, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams lights.

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $21,000.

From a private seller in Georgia: from $37,000.

5. FORD MUSTANG MACH-E (2023)

• Engine: electric, 1-2 units.
• Gearbox: n/a
• Drive: rear / AWD
• Charging time (220-240V): 11-15 hours

A muscle car may well be electric – it has been proven by the Ford Mustang Mach-E, whose sales in America have been slowly but steadily growing over the past year. Thus, in 2021, 27 thousand of these were sold while in 10 months of 2022 - 31 thousand.

The Mustang Mach-E belongs to the compact crossover class. It has several modifications that impress with their range (some up to 502 km), lively driving dynamics (with 0-100km/h in just 3.5-6.1 seconds depending on the engine), spacious high-quality interior, and numerous useful features and a wide range of standard equipment even in the basic configuration.

The car has 4 main configurations – Select, Premium, California Route 1 and GT. Each of them offers a selection of two types of battery (Standard Range or Extended Range - except for the Select package, where only a standard battery is available), two drive options (rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with two engines - except GT and California Route 1, which is only available in AWD starting from 2023 model year) and several engines differing ranging from 266 to 480 hp.

Common to the base Select trim are a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, a 15.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system comparable in size to a small laptop, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, wireless charging for driver and passenger devices, Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, 4 USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux leather upholstery, manual seat adjustment and 18-inch alloys disks.

The base package also includes Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 safety and driver assistance package with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and blind spot monitoring. The car has a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, LED headlights with automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control with lane centering.

It is worth noting that the Select trim comes equipped with BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system that can accelerate and decelerate the crossover, as well as control the steering wheel, and a 360-degree parking camera system. But these features are limited to a 90-day free trial and cost another $1,900 to activate.

A single charge of the standard 70 kWh battery provides a range of 360 km (for all-wheel drive) and up to 397 km (for rear wheel drive), while an extended battery with a capacity of 91 kWh offers a range of 418 to 502 km but can only be found in higher trim levels, starting with Premium.

All-wheel drive allows the driver to feel more confident on country roads and in winter conditions but raises the car’s price by $2,700. In addition, the installation of a second engine eats up about 35-37 km of range. And it’s also relevant to how you drive - the slower you accelerate, the further you can go in the Mach-E.

A common version of the electric Mustang in the Select configuration with a standard battery and rear-wheel drive costs $46,895 in the United States so it is cheaper to purchase the same car directly from the company’s factory in China. But we recommend an alternate option - Columbus will deliver the very same car to Georgia on a turnkey basis for an estimated $55,900.

A 2023 model turnkey price with delivery from China: from $55,900.

A 2021 model from a private seller in Georgia: from $57,000.