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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2023 Dodge Challenger Review
What do our experts think of the 2023 Dodge Challenger? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2023 Dodge Challenger?
This marks the very last year of the current generation of the Challenger and fittingly, Dodge is sending it off with a series of Last Call special editions that are mostly just appearance packages available in limited quantities. It’s also opened up more customization through its Jailbreak series of Hellcats. Finally, the Demon 170, a riff off of the top trim level, features over 1,000 hp when fueled by E85.
2023 Dodge Challenger – dodge.com | Shop 2023 Dodge Challenger on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Amazing engines
Comfortable interior
Cool performance tech
Outdated details
Lagging behind on safety
Expensive top trims
A fitting end to the muscle car
2023 Challenger Specs
- 303 horsepower from base engine
- 268 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 10 available trims
- 16 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Uconnect 4 is great
- Available adaptive cruise control
- 5-year powertrain warranty
2023 Dodge Challenger Powertrain
For its final year of production, Dodge offers seven different power levels across four different engines. The base powertrain consists of a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 303 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque.
Despite not having the flashy engine note of its siblings, this engine is still spunky and fun to drive. Above it is the R/T with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 developing 372 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It’s available with a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.
A bored-out 6.4-liter HEMI V8 sits under the hood of the Scat Pack models and produces 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. It’s also available with a stick and might be the most engaging of the entire group thanks to that.
Finally, Dodge offers the Hellcat trims with their supercharged 6.2-liter V8s hooked up to eight-speed automatic transmissions only. The weakest in that section of the family makes 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque. Above that are versions that make 797 hp, 807 hp, and then the Demon 170 which makes 880 hp and can develop 1,025 hp when on E85. If that’s not a dream car we don’t know what is.
2023 Dodge Challenger Fuel Economy & MPG
With such a wide array of engines, the Challenger’s fuel economy numbers are all over the place but none are particularly high. The base Challenger with its V6 gets up to 23 mpg combined.
The 5.7-liter V8 version drops to 19 mpg combined while the 6.4-liter gets just 18 mpg combined. Both of those drop by one on cars equipped with a manual transmission. Amazingly, the Hellcats get anywhere from 15 to 18 mpg combined depending on features.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The Challenger also leans into its muscle car roots when it comes to interior styling and comfort. This big car feels like it on the inside so don’t expect thin seat frames with tons of bolstering. Instead, the seats are thickly cushioned and comfortable. There’s even space in the rear seats for more than just kids.
We’re not talking about going across the country with five adults mind you but the Challenger offers significantly more passenger space than either the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Camaro.
The dash is simple and dated if we’re honest. Still, it’s an appropriately old-school look for a car that loves nostalgia. Forward visibility is good too. Buyers can add high-quality materials like suede, leather, and Alcantara as well.
Entertainment & Technology
The base infotainment system in the Challenger is a 7-inch unit with Dodge’s Uconnect 4 interface. We really like it as it’s fast, easy to navigate, and comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Buyers can also select an 8.4-inch infotainment system with an enhanced version of Uconnect 4.
Another version with integrated navigation is also available for a bit more. Six speakers are standard across most of the range and upgraded audio systems in the Challenger often simply improve that speaker quality without adding more. The Jailbreak changes that up though by incorporating an available 18-speaker sound system.
Safety Features
Dodge products aren’t known for deep and extensive safety features and the Challenger doesn’t move that needle. Forward collision mitigation isn’t even a standard driver aid. Blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and more are available but you’ll pay extra for them too.
2023 Dodge Challenger Trims & Pricing
SXT – $31,100
The base Challenger comes with the V6, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and a 7-inch infotainment system with six speakers.
Safety equipment includes forward collision mitigation and not much else as standard. Thankfully, buyers can add features like adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring separately. Unlike the V8 versions of the Challenger, both V6 trim levels are available with all-wheel drive.
GT – $34,495
The GT adds 20-inch wheels, a functional hood scoop, fog lights, paddle shifters, remote start, and rear parking sensors. It also upgrades the steering, suspension, and braking components for more performance-oriented driving.
R/T – $40,035
Picking up the R/T includes a 5.7-liter V8 along with a manual transmission. An automatic is available. It also gets an active exhaust.
R/T Scat Pack – $47,495
This trim includes a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V8 along with an upgraded cooling system, line lock, launch control, Brembo brakes, a high-performance suspension, drive modes, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an 8.4-inch infotainment system, and a premium six-speaker sound system.
R/T Scat Pack Widebody – $53,490
Any time you see Widebody on a Challenger it includes wider wheels and tires, and fender flares both front and rear. The R/T Scat Pack also benefits from a widebody-specific suspension setup and bigger six-piston Brembo brakes.
SRT Hellcat Jailbreak – $72,685
The base Hellcat also gets six-piston Brembo brakes along with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission only. It also gets a flat-bottomed steering wheel, adaptive suspension, and wider performance tires. The Jailbreak in the name refers to the fact that customers can combine features that Dodge previously restricted like paint colors, interior colors, wheels, and more.
SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak – $79,085
This trim incorporates the widebody features with the Hellcat Jailbreak.
SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak – $81,290
This trim brings power to 797 and torque up to 707. It also incorporates an upgraded engine chiller and Redeye badges.
SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak – $87,690
This trim incorporates the Redeye power with the widebody benefits along with maximum customizability.
SRT Super Stock – $89,695
This Challenger makes 807 hp and gets 18-inch wheels, Nitto street-legal drag racing tires, Brembo brakes, widebody features, and Super Stock badging.
Dodge is bidding adieu to the Hellcat with a number of “Last Call” special editions that are largely appearance packages. The one that’s not just an appearance package is the Demon 170, a drag-racing-focused monster that makes 880 hp on pump gas but can produce 1,025 hp on E85. It also features widened rear fenders, staggered drag radial tires, and a unique trans brake for drag racing.
Warranties
Every Challenger in the lineup, regardless of power level, comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. That’s pretty disappointing on the lower end of the spectrum but it’s wildly impressive for the Hellcats with their enormous power.
What we think
2023 Dodge Challenger – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2023 Dodge Challenger on Carsforsale.com
No car is perfect and the Challenger has some glaring faults regarding safety equipment and interior quality. Nevertheless, those concerns are hard to hear when there’s an 800-hp engine roaring in the background.
While Ford and Chevrolet seem to be aimed squarely at trying to make their muscle cars more like track-attack sports cars, the folks at Dodge have leaned hard into the muscle car genre and we think they’ve done it brilliantly.
Now if only they could keep their dealers from marking up the Hellcats to the moon. No new car incentive can really combat six-figure markups that we’ve seen across the country.
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