Supercharged Mustang Showdown: Dark Horse SC vs GTD vs GT500

Car and Driver has published instrumented test results for the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC, comparing it with the 2025 Mustang GTD and the now-retired 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500. The three supercharged Mustangs were tested in Ford’s most track-focused factory configurations.

The magazine’s data shows the GTD was quickest in acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, 100 mph in 6.1 seconds and covering the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds at 133 mph. The Dark Horse SC, with 795 hp, hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, 100 mph in 6.3 seconds and the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds at 134 mph. The GT500, with 760 hp, took 3.6 seconds to 60 mph, 7.1 seconds to 100 mph and ran the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 132 mph.

The SC stopped shortest: 131 feet from 70 mph and 261 feet from 100 mph, ahead of the GTD (132 and 262 feet) and the GT500 (142 and 279 feet). On the skidpad, the GTD led with 1.17g, followed by the GT500 at 1.13g and the SC at 1.06g. The article notes the SC was not set up in its grippiest configuration, unlike the other two.

The GTD, with 815 hp, was heaviest at 4,404 pounds, while the SC weighed 4,099 pounds and the GT500 4,059 pounds. New pricing started at $108,085 for the SC coupe, or $144,585 with the Track Pack; $327,960 for the GTD, with the test model valued at $367,960; and $92,495 for the GT500, about $120,572 after inflation.

Car and Driver’s editorial ranking put the GTD first overall, the SC second and the GT500 third. That ranking reflects the magazine’s own testing rather than an industry award. The article also notes that Ford says the SC is not a direct successor to the GT500, and that the SC is offered as a convertible.