Mountain Dew is a citrus-based caffeine-heavy soda targeting younger, active consumers with 54mg caffeine per 12oz, while Coca-Cola is a cola-based mainstream beverage with 34mg caffeine per 12oz and broader global market dominance. Mountain Dew contains 46g sugar per 12oz versus Coca-Cola's 39g, making it sweeter and higher in calories.
Mountain Dew vs Coca-Cola — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Citrus-flavored high-caffeine soda by PepsiCo targeting youth and active consumers.
Classic cola-flavored soft drink by The Coca-Cola Company with worldwide presence.
Caffeine Content per 12oz. Sugar Content per 12oz. Primary Flavor Profile. Global Market Share. Target Demographic Age. Calories per 12oz. Year Brand Launched
Choose Mountain Dew if you prioritize higher caffeine intake, enjoy citrus flavors, and appeal to younger audiences seeking an energetic brand identity. Choose Coca-Cola if you prefer a classic taste, lower calorie options, broader availability across markets, and wider demographic acceptance. Coca-Cola's 12-year head start in brand establishment and 2.7x larger market share make it the safer choice for mass market appeal.
Mountain Dew: Citrus (lime, lemon, citric acid forward) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 13-35 years old (youth/sports) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 12+ variants | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: Beverages only (within PepsiCo) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 170 cal | Coca-Cola: 140 cal
Mountain Dew: 170 per 12oz | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: $2.25 (avg) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 15 flavors | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: PepsiCo Inc. | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 20+ flavors | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 67% (Gen Z) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 120+ countries | Coca-Cola: 200+ countries
Mountain Dew: #3 (8.2% market share) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 30+ varieties | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 0mg (not included) | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 42 variants | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: Concentrated 13-35 | Coca-Cola: N/A
Mountain Dew: 30+ variants | Coca-Cola: 30+ variants
Mountain Dew: 13-34 (youth-focused) | Coca-Cola: 18-65 (mainstream)
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: $45 Billion
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: #1 (Coke Zero Sugar)
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: $42.3 billion
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: Classic cola (phosphoric acid, vanilla, caramel notes)
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: $46.2B (2023)
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: 7 variants
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: 10 ingredients
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: 48% of CSD market
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: $1.50-$2.00
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: 138 years (founded 1886)
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: $46.2 billion
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: 140 calories
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: 118 years (est. 1886)
Mountain Dew: N/A | Coca-Cola: $68.7 billion
How to choose between Mountain Dew and Coca-Cola
Mountain Dew vs Coca-Cola — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Mountain Dew vs Coca-Cola. Contains 80 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Mountain Dew vs Coca-Cola — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Mountain Dew vs Coca-Cola.
Mountain Dew contains 54mg of caffeine per 12oz serving, compared to Coca-Cola's 34mg per 12oz. This makes Mountain Dew 59% higher in caffeine content, making it the better choice for those seeking an energy boost. For reference, a cup of coffee contains approximately 95mg of caffeine.
Which is better for weight loss or calorie control?
Coca-Cola is the better choice with 140 calories per 12oz versus Mountain Dew's 170 calories per 12oz (30 fewer calories). However, both brands offer zero-sugar alternatives: Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (0 calories) and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar (0 calories), which are superior options for calorie-conscious consumers.
Coca-Cola has significantly broader global distribution in 200+ countries compared to Mountain Dew's 120+ countries, making Coca-Cola the more accessible option internationally. Coca-Cola dominates in Europe, Africa, and Asia, while Mountain Dew maintains stronger presence in North America and select markets.
Why is Mountain Dew associated with youth culture while Coca-Cola is mainstream?
Mountain Dew was strategically positioned since 1969 toward younger audiences through sponsorships of extreme sports (skateboarding, snowboarding) and gaming events, creating a bold, edgy brand identity. Coca-Cola, established in 1886, developed as a universal beverage through mainstream advertising that appeals to all demographics, making it a family and cultural icon.
What is the sugar difference between the two sodas?
Mountain Dew contains 46g of sugar per 12oz, while Coca-Cola contains 39g of sugar per 12oz. This 7g difference (18% more sugar in Mountain Dew) contributes to Mountain Dew's higher calorie count and sweeter taste profile. Both exceed the American Heart Association's daily sugar recommendation of 36g for men in a single 12oz serving.
How to Choose Between Mountain Dew and Coca-Cola
Caffeine Content per 12oz: Mountain Dew has 54mg, while Coca-Cola has 34mg.
Sugar Content per 12oz: Mountain Dew has 46g, while Coca-Cola has 39g.
Primary Flavor Profile: Mountain Dew has Citrus (lemon-lime), while Coca-Cola has Cola (caramel).
Global Market Share: Mountain Dew has ~7% of global soft drink market, while Coca-Cola has ~19% of global soft drink market.
Target Demographic Age: Mountain Dew has 13-34 years (youth-focused), while Coca-Cola has All ages (18-65 primary).
Calories per 12oz: Mountain Dew has 170 calories, while Coca-Cola has 140 calories.
Year Brand Launched: Mountain Dew has 1969 (PepsiCo), while Coca-Cola has 1886 (The Coca-Cola Company).