Compare the2025 Ford Mustang GTDVS 2025 Lotus Emira

The Ford Mustang GTD has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Emira doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mustang GTD has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Emira doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Mustang GTD’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Emira.

Both the Mustang GTD and the Emira have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rear parking sensors.

The Ford Mustang GTD weighs 1036 to 1114 pounds more than the Lotus Emira. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Mustang GTD comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. Ford will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang GTD 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Lotus covers the Emira. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Emira ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

There are almost 75 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang GTD’s warranty.

The Mustang GTD has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Emira doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

The Mustang GTD’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 415 more horsepower (815 vs. 400) and 354 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 310) than the Emira’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6. The Mustang GTD’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 415 more horsepower (815 vs. 400) and 310 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang GTD is faster than the Lotus Emira turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang GTD’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Emira doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Mustang GTD has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (16 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Ford Mustang GTD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

For better stopping power the Mustang GTD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Emira:

The Mustang GTD has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Emira doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Mustang GTD stops much shorter than the Emira:

For better traction, the Mustang GTD has larger tires than the Emira (F:325/30R20 & R:345/30R20 vs. F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20).

The Mustang GTD’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Emira’s standard 35 series front tires.

The Mustang GTD has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Emira’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Mustang GTD has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Emira doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Mustang GTD has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang GTD’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Emira (107.1 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang GTD is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 5 inches wider in the rear than on the Emira.

The Mustang GTD’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Emira’s (39.8% to 60.2%). This gives the Mustang GTD more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang GTD handles at 1.17 G’s, while the Emira pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GTD has 1.2 inches more front legroom and 4.1 inches more front shoulder room than the Emira.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Mustang GTD. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Mustang GTD is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Mustang GTD has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Emira doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Mustang GTD’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Emira does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang GTD’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The Mustang GTD’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mustang GTD has standard extendable sun visors. The Emira doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Ford Mustang GTD has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lotus charges extra for Homelink® on the Emira.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Mustang GTD’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Emira.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Lotus Emira by almost 23 to one during 2024.