Lots of cars used to come strapped with muscle, they've been on display along Woodward Avenue all week. With big V-8s crammed under their hoods, they bubbled with power at every stop light.

But times have changed. Direct injection has replaced scoops, and computers have replaced cables. Wrenching just about any new car today requires a lab coat and degree from MIT.

But for the first time in nearly 10 years, the modern interpretations of three classic pony cars are available as new models: the Mustang, the Camaro and the Challenger. These names are so recognizable that you don't need to include their respective brands, Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge. People just know.

Each model comes in three basic forms: Basic (think V-6); Mid-level (think sporty); and Ferocious (think mean and snarling).

Around Detroit, people know the difference. Recently, I drove the Ford Shelby GT500 through a parking lot, and a little boy pointed out the car to his father. "Look Daddy, a Mustang."

"No, that's a GT500," the father corrected him.

There is a difference. The Challenger SRT8, the Camaro SS and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 have no other competition, and figuring out the best among the three is no easy task.

There's no changing the minds of loyalists. A Ford man knows with all his heart that Mustangs rule, and the Chevy lover and Mopar maniac are just as confident. But everyone else knows you can only buy one: So which one is it? It's a task more difficult than you think: I love all three for slightly different reasons.

Each car offers a distinctive look and follows a slightly different path -- though all conjure up their respective heritage without duplicating it.

Challenger: This is the most retro of the three cars. Reintroduced in 2008, the Challenger draws the most from its past. The four headlamps set deep in the grille. The long body has added a few pounds around its waistline, approaching middle age with the same demeanor as many of its owners.

Mustang: The GT500 joins the redesigned 2010 Mustang with a new exterior and clean, fast lines. It's modern but points back to its roots. Like the Challenger, it's thicker than the original, but carries it well. The new Mustang includes sequential blinking tail lights and the chamfered corners.

Camaro: Of the three, the Chevy is the most modern and futuristic-looking. Its small greenhouse, chiseled lines and big back end give it a unique look. It's a generation removed from the traditional Camaros with the design based on the concept car shown a few years ago at the Detroit Auto Show. That car was loosely based on the 1967 Camaro. The end result: Perfection.

Winner: Draw

While each exterior stands on its own merits, the same is not true of the interiors. Every carmaker provides all the high-tech amenities car owners want, such as Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation, top-of-the-line stereos, but only one stands above the others.

Challenger: Simple and clean, the Challenger offers the most space of the three. It's the only coupe of the three that can seat five people -- the others can only carry four. However, the big hulking dashboard comes across as cheap and the finishing details need to improve. It's a nice start, but it feels incomplete.

Camaro: The interior space is comfortable and sophisticated. Recessed speedo and tach gauges add to the car's appearance and I never missed the navigation system, knowing OnStar was just a push of a button away. Real metal trim would have fared much better than the plastic designed to look like metal. There's a lot more attention paid to peripheral details, such as door inserts and ergonomic controls, and the seats are extremely comfortable.

Mustang: Ford has had the most time to improve its interior because it has never discontinued the model. The additional time pays off with an all new dash with aluminum trim. The gentle, curving center console feels balanced, and shortening the emergency brake means your knee will no longer rest against the handle while driving. The plethora of accessories provides everything an owner could want. Ford's voice-activated infotainment system Sync is ahead of the others.

Winner: Mustang

All of these cars offer more power, more abilities and more, well, power, than any person really needs. They will blow their historical counterparts from the '60s off the road. Each also provides an incredible V-8 rumble that no turbocharger can ever duplicate. Listening to them idle is a mechanical symphony.

Camaro: Combine a 422-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 and an independent suspension, and you've got a great ride. The SS may have the strength of 40 mules, but it races on the highway like a thoroughbred. The steering is clean and provides great feedback without working out your forearms. The Camaro manages 24 miles per gallon on the highway, which is 2 mpg better than the Ford and 5 mpg better than the Dodge.

Challenger: The legendary 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 gives the Challenger SRT8 a little more muscle than the Camaro. But it needs it because of its length and size. Both the Camaro and Mustang feel smaller on the open road, though the Challenger in straight line takeoffs is excellent.

Mustang: It may have the smallest V-8 in the bunch, but the supercharged 5.4-liter engine crushes the competition when it comes to raw power producing 540 horses. It's the kind of power that surges through you when hit the accelerator. Additional suspension tuning and great tires helps the GT500 handle corners better, despite having the solid rear axle. But there's almost too much power surging through this car. Hit a concrete seam through a big turn and you'll learn how scary axle hops can be.

Winner: Camaro

For many people who want to own a modern-day muscle car, the price will be the first consideration. The Camaro SS is nearly $10,000 less than the Challenger SRT8 and $17,000 less than the GT500, making it a steal by comparison.

However, Ford has created an entire series of Mustangs out of its pony car with its partnership with Carroll Shelby. Furthermore, the GT500 can come as a drop top, something the Challenger and Camaro do not offer. (A convertible Camaro is due to arrive in 2011 and Dodge has no plans to produce a convertible Challenger.) Really, there is something for everyone. But if I were to pick an all-round, top-of-the-line muscle car, the crown would go to the GT500. It's the complete package with power, comfort and an engine note that grumbles sweet nothings.

But in this race, coming in second is not bad either.