Ford Mustang vs Volkswagen Crafter
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 15 Oct 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Ford Mustang: we're still completing seat count, 0-100km/h, ground clearance, braked towing and fuel tank.
Volkswagen Crafter: we're still completing price, width, height, kerb weight and 0-100km/h, plus 4 others.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$72,990RRP
- with the Volkswagen Crafter's standard kit: $72,990 (nothing to add)
No price
- no price to build from against the Ford Mustang
4 added options
- Digital Radio (DAB+): no price printed
- Satellite Navigation: no price printed
- Heated Front Seats: no price printed
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring: no price printed
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Ford Mustang a rating. The Volkswagen Crafter carries an ANCAP safety grading, which is not a star rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Ford Mustang
- REC-006723 · published 15 Sep 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the engine bay wiring harness ground terminal may become damaged due to vibrations.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2026
- REC-006572 · published 26 Mar 2026The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve may fail.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006542 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a software issue, the brake fluid warning light may not illuminate as intended to warn the driver if the brake fluid level is low.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2023
- 15 more on the model page.
Volkswagen Crafter
- REC-001398 · published 18 Oct 2020Windows for a limited number of Crafter vehicles may have been incorrectly stored during production and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Mustang features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.4-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Crafter gets a 10.4-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Ford Mustang stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats, ventilated seats, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Crafter. The Volkswagen Crafter counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Mustang uses a Petrol producing 232kW and 445Nm of torque, sent through a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters to a RWD layout.
The Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving the front wheels.
The Ford Mustang has the clear power advantage at 232kW vs 130kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Mustang measures 4,811mm long on a 2,719mm wheelbase, 1175mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 5,986mm (3,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m diameter
Average
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Mustang) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Crafter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Mustang if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Ford Mustang: Top CarSorted Score, 61 vs 59
The Ford Mustang comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (61 vs 59), taking 1 of 1 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (Volkswagen Crafter ahead by 32), fuel economy (Ford Mustang ahead by 21), technology (Ford Mustang ahead by 13). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Ford Mustang and Volkswagen Crafter?
The Ford Mustang is the cheapest at $72,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Ford Mustang uses the least fuel at 9.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Ford Mustang, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Ford Mustang makes the most power at 232kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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