2022 Dodge Challenger Road Test and Review

2020 Dodge Challenger ・ Photo by Dodge

Those who are old enough or studious enough to remember the deep, dark history of the musclecar will recall that the Dodge Challenger was a latecomer to the party. Dodge had earlier entrants in the musclecar fray like most famously the Dodge Charger now reincarnated as a four-door. But while the Challenger didn't lead the way in the musclecar wars, as a competitor to hot versions of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, it certainly made its mark. Now in an era when cars are an endangered species and two-doors have nearly vanished from the Earth, the 2022 Dodge Challenger remains to weave the special magic that comes from a brutish, high-horsepower V8 stuffed under the hood of a rear-drive coupe. The combination provides a visceral thrill that is akin to riding a rocket sled. Of course, at the illogical extreme in this era of seven-dollar-a-gallon gas, you have the Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock that parlays its 807-horsepower (yes, you read that right) into a 3.5-second 0-60 time. That makes the model the quickest musclecar around. Of course, the majority of buyers will opt for one of the many less potent variants. 

Powertrains

For most vehicles these days, the powertrain isn't the most important factor. But for the Dodge Challenger, powertrains are paramount. We already noted a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8 that delivers a mind-blowing 807 horsepower is standard on the SRT Super Stock. Similar but somewhat detuned supercharged 6.2-liter V8s with 797 horsepower and 717 horsepower are installed in the SRT Hellcat Redeye and SRT Hellcat models, respectively. The most powerful naturally aspirated Old School V-8 is the 6.4-liter 485-horsepower 392 HEMI in the R/T Scat Pack and Scat Pack Widebody models. For plenty of accelerative fun at an affordable price, the R/T trims with the 5.7-liter 375-horsepower HEMI V-8 are excellent choices. The time-tested 303-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is the standard engine in the SXT, SXT AWD, GT, and GT AWD models. The Challenger is thus the only car in its class to offer all-wheel-drive. To complete the Old School vibe, a Tremec six-speed manual transmission is standard on the R/T, R/T Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat models. Most buyers up and down the lineup will opt for the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.

Photo by Dodge

Driving Impressions

The Dodger Challenger offers driving experiences that range from pretty fun to exhilarating to downright scary (in a good way.) The 807-horsepower Super Stock is probably best left to the drag strip, but the rest of the Challenger lineup —including the SRT Hellcats — are all remarkably mild and easy to drive when you want them to be. Aside from the fuel economy, any of them would make a good commuter — and the V8s can also absolutely roar when you want them to. The V6-powered models offer better-than-average power and acceleration, but the Challenger really comes into its own when fitted with a V8. If you want a spirited car that'll get you back and forth to work but will also allow you to get some real driving kicks, the R/T and R/T Scat Pack models are in a sweet spot where performance crosses affordability. The V8-powered R/T has an MSRP of less than $40,000. The even more potent R/T Scat Pack adds significantly more horsepower from its 392 cubic inch V-8. Standard SRT Drive Modes on R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat enable drivers to tailor their experience by controlling horsepower, transmission shift points, steering, paddle shifters action, traction, and suspension. The Drive Modes are pre-configured in Sport, Track, and Default modes, while a Custom mode lets drivers choose their favorite settings. On the whole, the Challenger's handling doesn't quite match up to the precision of the performance trims of the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro, but you can have plenty of fun in the car, no matter what the trim.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Exterior Style

The Dodge Challenger certainly isn't the newest design on the block. But it still turns heads. Even better, it doesn't turn heads the way some recent EVs do, where observers turn their heads and then mutter, "What were they thinking?" The Challenger has classic performance-coupe styling with a long low hood, small greenhouse, and short tail. Starting with this good-looking basic shape, the Challenger then lets its buyers to go wild and even wilder with several appearance packages. The Widebody Package on R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Redeye models adds 3.5 inches of overall width. And it fills some of that added width with 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires on 20-by-11-inch alloy wheels. The T/A package available on the naturally aspirated V8 models features a painted Satin Black hood, Satin Black-wrapped roof and decklid, 20-inch wheels, Satin Black spoiler with T/A decal, Mopar cold-air intake system, and lit Air Catcher headlights. To that, buyers can add a Widebody Package to the T/A 392 models with wider wheels and tires. The Shaker Package, available on R/T and R/T Scat Pack models, includes the Mopar Shaker hood, "Shaker" underhood decal, "Challenger" script grille badge, black rear spoiler, black fuel door, and black grille surround. For those truly bent on the retro look, a wide variety of exterior stripe designs are available across the entire Challenger lineup.

Photo by Dodge

Interior Design

As one of the few remaining two-door coupes on the market, the Dodge Challenger shares their interior pluses and minuses. One plus the Challenger enjoys over the competitive Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro is a more expansive interior. Three adults can sit reasonably comfortably in the Challenger's back seat. That's just not possible in the smaller Mustang and Camaro. That said, a two-door requires the rear seat passengers to fold themselves past the front seatback, something many younger Americans have never experienced. Getting out might be an even more difficult, well, challenge. The Dodge's interior strikes a nice balance between nostalgia and contemporary. The gauge package is very Old School, but the car also features a large center-dash infotainment screen. The seat upholstery choices allow buyers to choose a vintage look — houndstooth-patterned cloth — or a modern Nappa leather. Some of the seat choices have Alcantara inserts for added grip in hard cornering. And the use of trim level logos — Scat Pack, T/A, Hellcat — runs rampant throughout the lineup. Heated and ventilated seats and a 60/40 split-folding rear seatback are two unexpected and welcome options.

Photo by Dodge

Infotainment & Technology

The 2022 Challenger offers a selection of Uconnect infotainment systems. The base system is Uconnect 4 with a 7-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, voice command, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Its associated media hub has an audio input jack and two USB ports. The more sophisticated Uconnect 4C infotainment system standard in the up-level trims offers an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a SiriusXM trial subscription. Climate controls and vehicle information are included on the touchscreen. A very similar Uconnect 4C NAV system offers the same functions as the Uconnect 4 plus it adds integrated navigation. It is optional across the entire lineup. Both Alpine and Harmon Kardon premium audio systems are available. One Alpine system has six speakers and a 276-watt amplifier, while a second features nine speakers including a subwoofer and a 506-watt amplifier. The Harman Kardon system has 18 speakers and a 900-watt window-rattling digital amplifier.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Safety & Driver Aids

Safety features and driver aids are where the Dodge Challenger's age — and its drivers' preferences — really show themselves. Adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning are available in optional packages. Hill-start assist is standard across the lineup, and blindspot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and a rear park assist system are widely available across the lineup. But Challenger drivers don't seem to demand driver's aids. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2022 Dodge Challenger a five-star overall safety rating, the organization's highest ranking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Challenger two "Good" ratings, two "Acceptable" ratings, and one "Marginal" rating in its Crashworthiness categories.

Photo by Dodge

Fuel Economy

The Dodge Challenger is one of the last remaining musclecars. So it's not engineered to offer the fuel economy numbers of the typical vehicle. Its fuel consumption numbers should be considered in that context. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Challenger with the base 3.6-liter V6 and rear-drive delivers an estimated 19 mpg city/ 30 mpg highway. With optional all-wheel drive, that drops to 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway. A 5.7-liter V8 Challenger offers 16 mpg city/ 25 mpg on the highway with the eight-speed automatic. The 475-horsepower SRT 392 delivers 15 mpg city/ 24 mpg highway, according to the EPA. With the supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the Challenger will return about 13 mpg city/21 mpg highway.

Photo by Corey Davis

Pricing & Value

The Dodge Challenger stresses looks and performance over practicality. Not everyone appreciates that, but those who do typically love it. Thanks to its available V8s and rear-wheel-drive-oriented platform, the Challenger gives performance drivers thrills that would be hard to find in a front-drive vehicle. With horsepower choices that top 800, the sky is certainly the limit when it comes to power. At the same time, there are lower-cost Challengers for those who want the looks and personality of a musclecar without the expense. The base rear-wheel-drive SXT is well-equipped at a starting price of less than $32,000. The sporty-looking rear-drive GT is priced under $34,000. The R/T trim with the 5.7-liter V8 engine is an especially good value with a base of less than $39,000. The R/T Scat Pack and Scat Pack Widebody have the 475-horsepower V8 with base prices of about $45,000 and about $52,000, respectively. Then you have the SRT models. All have supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engines of varying horsepower. Some feature sophisticated Bilstein adaptive damping suspensions as well. The SRTs range in price from about $68,000 to the SRT Super Stock at $86,000. Despite the high price tags, each of the SRTs is filled with value. In fact, from bottom to top, the Dodge Challenger lineup gives enthusiast drivers a wealth of excellent choices.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles