Overview & Reviews

The Dodge Challenger was one of the more significant cars to come out of the 1960s and '70s muscle car era. Four decades later, Dodge's buff Challenger is once again laying stripes on America's pavement. Featuring styling cues similar to the original model and, for the most part, brawny engines driving the rear wheels, the new Challenger is a true street fighter. But unlike its bare-knuckled brawler of an older brother, this Challenger is loaded with modern-day refinement and safety features.

It's no surprise that the current Challenger offers strong acceleration with either available V8, but even the base V6 is no slouch. Also unsurprising is its bulky feel in tight corners, though its luxurious character on the highway more than compensates. The muscle car segment has seen a revival in recent times with the retro-ization of the Mustang and the resurrection of the Camaro, but the Challenger certainly holds its own, and strikes us as the most pleasant to drive on a daily basis.

Current Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger features the exterior styling cues of its iconic '70s predecessor, such as a long hood and a semi-fastback roof line. Underneath, however, the Challenger is based on a shortened version of the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger platform. Thanks to its generous dimensions and a split-folding rear seat, the Challenger has ample passenger space and impressive luggage capacity.

The Challenger comes in four levels: SXT, R/T, SRT8 392 and SRT8 Core. The base SXT features a 3.6-liter 305-horsepower V6 matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. Upping the ante, the R/T packs a 5.7-liter V8 churning out 372 hp with the five-speed automatic or 376 hp with a six-speed manual transmission. It's also packaged with a recalibrated steering system and a limited-slip differential. The SRT8 392 and SRT8 392 Core models come armed with a 470-hp 6.4-liter V8 connected to either a standard five-speed automatic or an optional six-speed manual. Other features of the SRT8s include a stiffer suspension, revised steering, Brembo brakes and 20-inch wheels.

All Dodge Challenger models come standard with antilock brakes, a full complement of airbags and stability control. Major options include a sunroof and hard-drive-based navigation system with music and video file storage capability, although the latter is controlled by an antiquated touchscreen head unit that can be irritating to use. The R/T can be equipped with a couple of optional performance packages, such as the Super Track Pak, that improve its handling and braking. The SRT8 392 comes with most of the Challenger's available equipment, while the SRT8 Core has the same performance items but is equipped more like a base SXT.

In road tests, we've found that there's plenty to like about Dodge's modern muscle car. Acceleration is acceptable with the V6 and truly impressive with the R/T and SRT8. The Challenger remains laudably quiet at speed, with little road or wind noise, and offers an impressively comfortable highway ride regardless of trim level. On twisty roads, the Challenger feels big and heavy, which isn't surprising considering the car's 2-ton curb weight. But the SRT8 and R/T (when fitted with the optional suspension upgrades) still do a pretty respectable job of keeping that mass under control. At the same time, its size makes the interior and trunk far larger and more useful than those of its competitors.

Used Dodge Challenger Models
The current Dodge Challenger was introduced in 2008 as the SRT8 only. The SE (now named SXT) and R/T trim levels arrived a year later, as did manual transmission availability for the SRT8. For 2009-'10, the SE came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 making just 250 hp. The transmission was either a four-speed automatic (2009) or a five-speed automatic (2010). As you can imagine, the SE left much to be desired from both a performance and fuel economy standpoint, so we'd avoid it. From 2008-'10, the SRT8 came with a 6.1-liter V8 good for 425 hp.

For 2011, things improved considerably across the Challenger lineup as the base engine became the current, 305-horsepower V6, and the SRT8 adopted the current 6.4-liter monster. The latter also resulted in "392" being added to the car's name (the engine's historically significant, cubic-inch displacement). Upgrades also took place for the suspension, steering and brake systems, resulting in a more rewarding car to drive. That year also brought more standard equipment along with redesigned seats and steering wheel. Since then, changes have been minimal, consisting chiefly of trim level and equipment shuffling.

User Reviews:

• Junk - 2018 Dodge Challenger
  By Paul - August 1 - 1:19 am

  I just bought the challenger rt. Its has 500 miles and transmission went out. Ive only driven it 3 times. Once test driving, once home from dealership, and once on a short trip. Dealership had it for 2 weeks and still cant figure out whats wrong. So needless to say I think its gonna get traded and Im going to buy a Chevy. Not a happy dodge owner!

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  Jazz Blue Beast - 2014 Dodge Challenger
  By Jason - December 10 - 6:59 pm

  I love my Challenger! I special ordered a R/T base with some options (HID Headlights, Sound Group II, Sunroof). Power from the 5.7 is adequate, but it isnt exactly fast considering how heavy the car is. I solved that little problem with a ProCharger, now it moves with authority like an SRT8 (490 wheel horsepower), but without the insurance costs. Its big, roomy, and for the most part, comfortable. Enormous trunk. I do have a hard time finding a comfortable driving position for long drives though. The car would benefit greatly from either more telescoping in the steering column, power adjustable pedals, or moving the shifter (6spd) back farther toward the driver. The car rides like a Cadillac. Optional HID headlights work very well, and are bi-xenon, so you get both low & high beams in HID. Optional mid-level stereo (Sound Group II) is absolutely amazing. You can crank any type of music up to full volume with no distortion. The first thing youll want to do is toss the 18" "green" low rolling resistance Michelins in the garbage, and get a set of proper tires to keep from roasting rubber. Then, youll need to get a Barton shifter to keep from constantly missing 3rd, and to eliminate the ridiculous throw from 4-5. A skip shift eliminator or programmer is also mandatory. I didnt buy a manual transmission to be forced to shift from 1 to 4!!!!!!! Bluetooth "works", but takes quite some time to pair. And quite some time again when it un-pairs right after you get out on the road! And dont bother turning off the incoming SMS message alert... no matter how many times you turn this confounded feature OFF, it still breaks into the music for EVERY single text message. A new aftermarket head unit is in my near future. The voice recognition sucks. If you need to call "home", good luck. Im not sure how the engineers who designed the voice recognition system talk, but I have tried every conceivable way of saying "home", and the car simply refuses to call home. There is an option that allows the car to learn your voice. Its a joke, dont bother wasting your time. I love the retro styling, but it does make for some LOUSY outward visibility to the sides. Lane changes are basically floor it and pray you can get ahead of whoever may happen to be in that ENROMOUS blind spot. If blind spot detection had been available in 2014, Id have ordered it for sure. If you get the 6spd (of course you did, who buys an automatic muscle car?!) do yourself a favor and get the resonators removed right away. It makes the car sound like it should have from the factory. There is no drone on the 6spd (autos drone and sound like crap when MDS kicks in, youre better off leaving the stock exhaust in place)

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  Great car fun toy - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By Danny Milillo - December 5 - 7:38 am

  Hats off Dodge this car is just fun to drive and looks great mine may not be a Hellcat or R/T its still has that 70 s fun factor with modern ride and handling . Great car thanks Dodge.

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  rt classic auto - 2014 Dodge Challenger
  By t grobsmith - December 4 - 11:57 am

  Have owned my RT classic for three years and have over 9,000 miles on it. The car is great looking black with red side stripe. Rides very comfortably and I average 27 mpg highway at 70 to75 mph. The 5.7 motor also runs on regular gas as apposed to the larger motors that require premium gas. The interior is very good quality, red and black leather. The dash board some complain about being out dated, but looks similar to the original 70s. As I wanted to stay looking like the 70 challenger I went with the classic with the polished mags , and dont mind the older style dash. Car runs great goes when you want it to and can be used as a every day driver. Only complaint is the exhaust isnt load enough.

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  Great Toy - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By Aymenchtourou.a@gmail.com - November 17 - 1:04 pm

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  LOVE MY ORANGE SXT PLUS - 2014 Dodge Challenger
  By Ronald Beck - November 9 - 11:20 pm

  Amazing power for a 6 cylinder car. Stunning orange color with sharp black graphics. Have gotten more compliments on this car than i did on my silver 1997 C5 Corvette. Smooth riding, corners well and has plenty of pep, considering that it is not a Hemi!

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  Bought my 2012 Challenger 392 used - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By Romulo - November 6 - 11:03 am

  The fuel economy of this car is quite good for the horsepower given that you drive conservatively. If you are an aggressive driver the gas mileage will not be as good but, this is what I knew I was getting into. This car still turns heads despite newer 2015 Challengers on the road. My model is Tungsten with Black Stripes. The steering is responsive and the power delivery is fantastic. It did not come with back up sensors which is what I wanted. Ive been driving for over 20 years so Im accustomed to cars with no aides. The interior has some lite rattling in the C pilar. Fortunately after reading forums its just a matter of the interior paneling coming into contact with the frame, a quick fix.

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  Not For Everybody But Ideal for Some! - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By LarryKennedy - October 14 - 4:42 pm

  This is the most fun Ive ever had with a car. Have about 6500 miles on it with no issues. Got the B5 Blue, a heritage color with black interior. Almost daily comments on the cars looks. Gets 25 mpg combined on regular and accelerates just fine with a very satisfying engine sound. Drove the Hemi 375 and it had more low end torque but did not feel faster or justify the bigger price tag and use of premium unleaded. I use this car as a daily driver. The drivers seat is my only complaint. It is narrow and somewhat flat. The left bolster hits my thigh (I am 6 feet 180 lbs.). If the seat was changed just to be a couple of inches wider and a little better on the bottom it would be outstanding, as is its ok and not a deal breaker. The high intensity headlights could be brighter. The voice recognition software is superb and works easily and flawlessly. The interior is laid out intelligently and I appreciate its simplicity. Obviously a lot of thought went into this interior and it shows. I may keep this car a long time if it holds up.

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  Pitch Black Perfection - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By Natalie Groeger - October 9 - 10:21 am

  Purchased our 15 Challenger SXT on 7.23.15 and already put about 3,400 miles on it. Although shes only a baseline (albeit with the Super Sport Group for a sexier look and the Driver Convenience Group for more safety tech added) with cloth interior, shes still won trophies at car shows with 200+ cars entered. Granted weve added a K&N cold air intake that gives her a throatier, almost V8-like, growl on acceleration, even before then the performance was considerably good for a V6 3,800-lb. car. The engine is sound and takes punishment from the throttle like a pro, and its steering performance around tight corners is surprisingly good. Adding the cold air intake ($267 for K&N 63 series) has added about 10 more hp and Id guess 3 more mpg. I use about a quarter of a tank less each week since Ive put it on, so Id recommend that mod even if its the only one you do. I will say that I wouldnt buy another Challenger unless it has the Driver Convenience Group as an add-on! The blind spot assist for that big block of metal behind your shoulder is a must have, same with the reverse parking sensors that use similar software to BMWs that includes a visual map that shows you where the object is hidden behind that big butt of yours. NOTE!: Factory settings do NOT have an audible chime for the blind spot sensors on the side mirrors, so youll have to activate that feature going through the settings on your vehicles touch screen...not hard to figure out though, but youll definitely want that on. It will only chime at you when your blinkers are on and a car is in the blind spot area in the lane youre getting over on. That all being said, I 100% recommend this car as a daily driver. Having a V8 was of course an option, but my husband is under 25 and I wanted to keep the insurance as low as possible and be able to use it as a daily driver as we live about 30 miles away from work places. The performance doesnt disappoint and, honestly, even after test driving the R/T with the 5.7L I figured the noise was better, but the acceleration and gain on hp wasnt so drastic that it says "buy me". With the 3.6L we have plenty of fun, tons of stares and enjoy paying only $89/month as a 24-yr-old female and 22-yr-old male on our insurance, and I only spend max $30 on gas per week filling up from the 1/4 tank line. An acquaintance of ours drives the same 3.6L engine in his 14 (also with CAI) and builds 1,000hp+ drag cars for a living, with magazine articles in his honor, so theres nothing to be ashamed of driving this V6.

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  Header Orange. Love it! - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By Mark - October 8 - 8:44 pm

  This car is terrific! I ordered and leased this 2014 Header Orange RT Plus for 2 years and almost hate to give it up. And even though Dodge may not offer Orange in 2016, Im going with Plum Crazy this time. I have to get another Challenger. I love almost everything about this car from the classic muscle car look to the sound it makes when you put your foot into it. And it just makes me feel great when Im driving it. I have leased my last 9 cars which have all been average, but this is the first time Ive ever felt like hanging on to one. I love this car! Gas mileage was expected just as the blind spot in the back. Hey, you cant have everything. Its solid and I have had no issues regarding any repairs or complaints with the car. Dodge has done well with this one and now Im a confirmed customer.