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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageNew vs Used: Dodge Challenger
The 2023 Dodge Challenger gives drivers a taste of old-school American muscle mixed with modern technology. But is the best deal a new model or a used one?
Dodge Challenger
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The Dodge Challenger has proved that American muscle cars haven’t died out quietly. They’re still a force to be reckoned with. Many competitors have adopted modern styling, but the Dodge Challenger sticks to its retro roots.
These powerful coupes come standard with a V6 engine, but they are also available in a 5.7L V8 and a 6.4L V8. You can also get the famous SRT Hellcat engine as an option, but we won’t cover that here. The V6 is great for those who want a muscle car as their daily driver, and the V8 options are there for those who want to experience the power that made the original Challengers famous.
Sadly, the 2023 model year will be the last year to get a Dodge Challenger with a V8 as they announced last year. This is your last chance to buy a new Dodge muscle car with several hundred horses of American muscle under the hood. That also means that drivers will soon be forced into the used market if they want one of these icons.
Since they are the last of their kind, Dodge will be bringing back popular classic Dodge Challenger colors such as Plum Crazy, B5 Blue, and Sublime Green. They will also be releasing seven special editions and placing special badging on the R/T trims.
For now, let’s be thankful that they are still available to us and see how the new 2023 Dodge Challengers compare with 2019 models.
Specs
The 2023 Dodge Challenger comes stock with a 305-horsepower V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission producing 268 lbs.-ft. of torque. This is a great option if you don’t want any thrill in your driving experience, but who wants that? The real treat comes in the form of a 375-horsepower 5.7L V8 pushing 410 lbs.-ft. of torque, or a 6.4L V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lbs.-ft. of torque.
There is a six-speed manual transmission option for V8-equipped Challengers as well.
The 2019 Dodge Challenger features the same powertrain options that put out the same numbers. We’re comparing apples to apples here.
Driving and Performance
The base engine is sluggish and underpowered compared to rival engines. It is a different story when you look at the Hemi-equipped models though. They have a ton of power on tap. As much as we love manual transmissions, we found this one to be rather bland. It felt soft when shifting and was not satisfying. The automatic transmission was the winner providing smooth shifts and excellent response to throttle positions.
The handling is also a bit lazy compared to the competition. It handles like a muscle car which means that it was built for the drag strip instead of winding roads. It is numb when cornering and doesn’t provide much feedback through the steering wheel.
The ride, however, is very comfortable. In 2019, all R/T models came standard with what was formerly known as the Super Track Pack. This gave every R/T model sport-tuned suspension. No one will complain about the ride quality no matter which engine is under the hood.
It comes as no surprise that both models also accelerated the same in our 0-60 MPH test. The base model clocked in at 5.3 seconds while the Hemi-equipped models barreled in at 4.8 seconds and 4.2 seconds.
The Dodge Challenger won’t win any awards when it comes to fuel economy, but you don’t buy a muscle car for the fuel mileage. The stock V6 has an EPA rating of 19 MPG city/30 MPG highway. The 5.7L Hemi is rated at 16 MPG city/25 MPG highway while the 6.4L Hemi is rated at 15 MPG city/24 MPG highway. Adding a manual transmission will bring your mileage down by 1 MPG.
Comfort and Interior
It will come as no surprise that the interiors of both models are nearly identical as well. The Dodge Challenger has a roomy interior compared to its rivals. The materials consist of rubberized plastics which are more reminiscent of vinyl than quality plastic. The seats are comfortable but lack the support needed for serious driving. They are better suited for daily driving or cruising. Even the optional race-inspired seats lack in providing adequate support.
The Dodge Challenger provides 16.2 cubic feet of trunk space which is more than its competitors. Small items storage is lacking despite the big center console. The Dodge Challenger also features Dodge’s Uconnect infotainment system which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We suggest checking out the powerful 900-watt, 18-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system if you really like your rock and roll loud.
There were no changes between model years when it comes to infotainment either. We’re still neck and neck in this competition!
Trims and Features
The 2023 Dodge Challenger comes in five trim levels. The SXT is the base model and comes with features such as a 3.6L V6 engine, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, Uconnect infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, pushbutton start, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and a six-speaker sound system.
The GT adds sportier features like fog lights, 20-inch wheels, performance steering, a functional hood scoop, performance suspension and brakes, paddle shifters, remote start, rear parking sensors, and cloth performance seats.
The R/T trim adds to the GT trim. It adds a 5.7L V8 engine, a six-speed manual transmission (automatic optional), and performance exhaust.
The R/T Scat Pack trim gives you a boost in performance with features like a 6.4L V8 engine, launch control, line lock, high-performance suspension, Brembo brakes, upgraded engine cooling system, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system.
The SRT Hellcat comes with a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine, a dual-snorkel hood with a performance engine cooling system, larger six-piston brakes, competition suspension, wider tires, Hellcat badging and exterior stylings, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
There are also several different packages for the SRT Hellcat including the SRT Hellcat Redeye, SRT Super Stock, and Widebody.
There is a Jailbreak package that allows for expanded options on the SRT Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye. These are limited in production. They are Shakedown (1000 units), Swinger (1000 units), Black Ghost (300 units), and SRT Demon 170 (3,300 units).
The 2019 Dodge Challenger is available in seven different trims. The SXT is the base model and includes a 3.6L V6 engine, 18-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 60/40-split folding rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power adjustable driver’s seat, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, two USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system.
The GT trim adds 20-inch wheels, fog lights, rear parking sensors, sport-tuned suspension, a performance steering system, remote ignition, a hood scoop, upgraded brakes, upgraded front seats, and an upgraded steering wheel.
The R/T trim gives you additional performance features such as a 5.7L V8 engine, 20-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, chrome fuel door, sport exhaust, and a limited-slip differential.
The R/T 392 trim boosts the engine to a 6.4L V8 plus adds launch control, Brembo brakes, high-performance-tuned suspension, a line lock, a heated steering wheel, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a rear spoiler, a black fuel door, configurable drive modes, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium speakers.
The Dodge SRT Hellcat gives you a 6.2L supercharged V8 plus a dual-snorkel hood, adaptive suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes, interior ambient lighting, and unique exterior badging and styling.
The SRT Hellcat Redeye adds more horsepower to the 6.2L supercharged engine (797 horsepower, 707 lbs.-ft. of torque).
The Verdict
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This was a fairly easy competition since the Dodge Challenger has changed very little since 2019. The biggest differences lie in the upper trims and their special variants. If you want a piece of Mopar history, then going for one of the Jailbreak models would be for you.
If you’re like most of us, however, you would be perfectly content with a standard production model. In this case, it would be better for you to find a used model. There are plenty on the marketplace with low mileage. Plus, there are some great Certified Pre-Owned programs out there that can be very beneficial.
So, pick your next Dodge Challenger. It’s the last chance that Hemi fans will have to experience the thrill.
