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Edmunds' Expert Rating The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. For more of what we think of the 2022 Challenger, be sure to read our in-depth Expert Rating below. Overall, we're fond of the Challenger, however dated it may be. Most of today's advanced driving aids are also available thanks to regular updates over the years. The ride is quite comfortable, even when you opt for models with a sportier suspension setup. The Challenger isn't all about brute force. The Challenger comes with a standard V6, but it's the SRT and supercharged Hellcat engines that will blast you down the local drag strip with joyful abandon. Or just big smoky burnouts if that's more your thing. Thankfully, there's a diverse selection of available V8 engines that are more than capable of imparting this big coupe with rapid straight-line velocity. This is a big, heavy coupe that feels big and heavy from behind the wheel. Of the three, the 2022 Challenger is the most old-school, which makes sense since the design dates to 2008, which itself recalls the Challengers from the early 1970s.
Scat pack challenger manual#
Yes, the 5.7 Hemi has plenty of aftermarket potential with both naturally aspirated and supercharger options, but if your goal is maximizing power-you’ll still probably want to start off with one of the larger Hemis.īut if you are fine with the 5.7's slightly more modest performance, you can still get the classic Challenger look, Hemi power, the classic V8 sound and even a manual gearbox-all for a relative bargain price.īefore you think about settling for a four-cylinder or V6, consider the under-appreciated "small" Hemi Challenger.Dodge's big muscle car is a hoot to drive, even if it doesn't feel quite as sharp as the Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang. If you are looking for to get maximum horsepower and performance from your Challenger, you’ll be better off skipping the 5.7 and going straight to a 6.4 or Hellcat. A Six-Speed StickĪnd one of the best things about the Challenger R/T is that it could be optioned with the beefy Tremec six-speed manual transmission.Īutomatics are going to be much more common, and likely quicker in acceleration (especially the newer cars with the eight-speed ZF auto), but the fun factor of the stick shift will be unmatched.Īnd it’s really that fun factor that the Challenger R/T does best. Looking around the classified sites, one can find an early base R/T 5.7 for under $15,000 while lower mileage or better equipped examples climb into the low 20s-quite reasonable for what you get. Looking at the used market, an older model Challenger R/T has a lot of bang for the buck-and even in today’s inflated car market they’ve depreciated a lot quicker than used Scat Packs. And while many buyers gravitated toward the Scat Pack, the 5.7 R/T is still offered as a budget V8 option. In 2015 Dodge Introduced the Scat Pack model, which brought the larger 6.4 liter Hemi from the SRT Challenger but with the less expensive appointments of the R/T. When first introduced for 2009, the R/T occupied the sweet spot between the base V6 and the more expensive SRT-8 models and that earned it plenty of takers looking for the middle ground.
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V8 ValueĪnd one of the biggest reasons why is its price. But viewed on its own terms the R/T can be a great choice. The Challenger also has a base V6 engine, and 6.4 liter and 6.2 supercharged options, but in between those sits the humble 5.7 Hemi.įrom its introduction for the ‘09 model year up until now, the 5.7 liter Challenger R/T has made about 370 horsepower, leading it to be overshadowed by both its own larger displacement siblings and its Ford & GM competition. The Camaro and Mustang go straight from four and six cylinder versions to V8s making 450 horsepower or more. One of the most interesting things about the 2009-2021 Challenger R/T is that it’s a pretty rare for modern muscle cars to have an entry level V8 option. Here are a few reasons why: A Unique, Mid-Level Option Because what it lacks in outright horsepower it makes up for in affordability and fun-especially on the secondhand market. But this also means it’s easy to overlook certain versions of the car.Īnd perhaps the most under-appreciated Challenger model is the base R/T with the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 engine. One of the best things about the modern Dodge Challenger is the vast number of powertrain options available.įrom a base V6 with AWD to a screaming Hellcat Redeye, there’s something to fit just about any type of budget or goal. Who Needs a Scat Pack? The 5.7 Liter Challenger R/T is the Best Bargain in Modern Muscle