The Muscle Car Meltdown: Why Camaro and Mustang Sales Are Stalling.

A simple example is the Ford Mustang. A while back, people weren’t too happy when Ford dropped an inline-4 turbo engine into the Mustang. It didn’t really fit the image, and now that version has been discontinued. But that’s just how things are now—people have moved on to cars that are more economical. The days of V8 muscle cars dominating the streets are kind of over.

The main issue is technology. Back in the day, you needed a big engine to make big power—that’s where the saying “there’s no replacement for displacement” came from. But now, small engines can put out serious horsepower, so that old idea doesn’t really hold up anymore. Sure, some folks still argue that a V8 has a unique character, and that’s fair, but from the company’s point of view, power is power. Plus, with emissions regulations and fuel efficiency rules, smaller engines are pretty much required.

The Mustang EcoBoost is a good example. That 2.3-liter inline-4 engine cranks out over 300 horsepower. Not too long ago, you needed a big 350ci V8 to get that kind of performance. These days, you don’t—and carmakers are leaning into smaller, more efficient engines for everyday driving. A lot of people might not like that shift, but it’s the reality now.

We’ve seen this trend more than once—manufacturers keep putting smaller engines into muscle cars for a bunch of reasons. And to be fair, these engines are quick. A modern V6 or turbo inline-4 can put out a ton of horsepower right from the factory, and for most people, that’s enough. The real issue is the character. These smaller engines just don’t give you the same feel or sound as a V8. So yeah, some people are turned off. But at the same time, most drivers don’t really need a big, loud, powerful engine anymore. A small, efficient car gets the job done. And if someone really wants speed, there are plenty of other cars out there that are faster and more practical. Honestly, muscle cars have always been kind of a niche thing anyway.

Gas prices are also not getting cheaper. In the era of muscle cars, gas prices in the US were cheap, and people didn’t mind using a car that only got 10 MPG as long as it was powerful. Now most people will be reluctant to use such cars and choose more efficient cars. Those gas-guzzling V8 cars are slowly being pushed aside, especially now that there are many replacements. I mean, 300 HP is no longer a sacred number; common cars get that number every time and are more economical than a muscle car so slowly they are not needed; some might argue about character, but sometimes economy comes first.

On the other hand, big engines produce more emissions even though manufacturers have tried their best not to, plus emission regulations are getting stricter, and basically you are “prohibited” from using big motors. Manufacturers are also reluctant to provide cars that are less popular with the public, where the demand for muscle cars is also slowly decreasing. People prefer economical cars these days, and those muscle cars have more and more competitors.

I love muscle cars, but I have to admit, their time might be passing. They used to be the kings of the road—the coolest, fastest cars around. But now, you can get way more power and better gas mileage for a lot less money. It’s probably why muscle cars aren’t as popular anymore. They just don’t fit into the way we live today.

Now is the era of economical vehicles; those gas-guzzling cars will be slowly removed.