Pros
- Acceleration
- Steering/handling
Cons
- Interior materials
- Quietness
Acceleration
8/10
R/T with the manual transmission is quite potent, though it doesn't feel quite as fast as its 376-horsepower rating would suggest. SRT8 is very strong with either the manual or automatic transmission. Dodge claims Challenger SRT8 will do 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds, which feels reasonable to us. The manual transmission has positive, mechanical shift action and a smooth clutch. Though not subtle, its responsive automatic transmission shifts without harshness. No opportunity to test an SE or an R/T with the automatic.
Fuel Economy
4/10
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission R/T averaged 16.5 mpg with slightly more city driving than highway use. A manual-transmission SRT8 averaged 16.8 mpg. Test automatic-transmission SRT8s averaged 15.8-16.8 mpg. Chrysler recommends mid-grade 89-octane gas for the SE and automatic-transmission R/T. Premium-grade gas is recommended for the manual-transmission R/T and required for the SRT8.
Ride Quality
5/10
Challenger's ride is surprisingly supple, especially given this car's performance mission. Bump absorption is quite good across the lineup. Only major impacts can be described as harsh. The R/T Classic package's 20-inch tires have little effect on ride quality.
Steering/Handling/Braking
7/10
Accurate steering is marred by excessive power assist. Though not as agile as a Mustang, Challenger handles well given its sheer size and heft. Body lean in fast turns is well controlled, and the brakes provide sure-footed stopping control.
Quietness
5/10
R/T and SRT8 models produce sound levels in keeping with their high-performance character. Engine, exhaust, and road noise are are not as prominent as might be expected for a high-performance car.
Controls
7/10
Major gauges are deeply recessed into the dashboard and are dimly backlit, making them hard to read at times. The Chrysler-standard control layout places most systems within easy reach. The navigation system absorbs most audio functions, but mostly with good results.
Details
6/10
Challenger's cabin houses plenty of plastic, but everything is nicely assembled. R/T and SRT8 are available with chrome, faux carbon fiber, and other accents that help dress up the interior a bit.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
7/10
Ample space for even larger and taller drivers. The aggressively bolstered seats provide good long-trip comfort. The large doors are a pain in close parking situations, but offer easy entry and exit. Challenger's roof design severely limits visibility to the rear corners.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
3/10
Challenger's rear-seat accommodations are quite good for a sporty car. Smaller adults may tolerate short trips, while kids will fit fine. Entry and exit are expectedly awkward.
Cargo Room
4/10
For a sporty car, Challenger has impressive trunk space. Compromised by high liftover, the usefully deep trunk offers more room than many midsize sedans. The rear seat backs fold, but the release levels are awkward to reach, and the only way they lay close to flat is if the front seat ahead of it situated in a well-forward position. Interior storage is decent, with a good-size glovebox and console bin, two small console trays, and small door map pockets.
Value Within Class
5/10
Challenger is not an ideal choice for those looking to save on gas, at least in V8 form. That said, Dodge's muscle machine comes off as more practical than Chevy's Camaro. The lower-priced SE and R/T models are the best choices in this lineup.
Highlights
The 2010 Dodge Challenger is available as a new, limited edition "Plum Crazy" model. The rest of this retro-styled sporty-car lineup sees no major changes otherwise. Challenger is rear-wheel drive and seats 5. Entry-level SE and mid-line R/T trims continue alongside the flagship SRT8. SE has a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. R/T has 372-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 matched to a 5-speed automatic. A 6-speed manual is available on the R/T, and models so equipped have 376 horsepower. The automatic-transmission version of the R/T has Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation. SRT8 has a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V8 mated to either a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. All manual-transmission Challengers have a hill-holder clutch that holds the brake for three seconds to aid the driver when launching the vehicle on an incline. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain-side airbags. Keyless engine start is available, along with Chrysler's Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a wireless cell-phone link, 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music and picture files, and a navigation system. The R/T and SRT8 Plum Crazy have specific paint and trim reminiscent of early-1970s Challengers, which used that color.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance-Car class consists of 2-seat roadsters, 4-cylinder hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.
Our Best Buys include the Ford Mustang, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mini Cooper. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Scion tC. New or significantly redesigned models for 2010 include the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Nissan 370Z (Convertible), and Volkswagen GTI.