2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Starting at $32,140

6.5/10

C/D RATING

Specs

Photos

2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (1)

Dodge

6.5/10 C/D RATING

Specs

Photos

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  • Highs Powerful and melodic V-8s, there's no all-wheel-drive Camaro or Mustang, comfy inside and relaxed ride.
  • Lows Won't be confused for a sports car, listless manual shifter action, cabin plagued by low-rent materials.
  • Verdict The Challenger is big, brash, and surprisingly livable, but it drives much different than its nimbler rivals.
By Eric Stafford

Overview

The 2022 Dodge Challenger is a blast from that past, not only because its whole vibe is inherently old school, but some models are seriously entertaining. The least expensive way to join the Challenger's brotherhood of muscle is through the entry-level V-6 model—the only two-door muscle car to offer all-wheel drive. Get behind the wheel of any R/T model to experience the sound and fury of a Hemi V-8, either a 375-hp 5.7-liter or a 485-hp 6.4-liter. We review the supercharged SRT Hellcat separately. Compared with the Chevy Camaro or Ford Mustang, the Challenger is larger and less athletic. However, it rides smoother and offers more comfortable passenger accommodations. And while the 2022 Challenger is marred by mediocre interior materials and an unsatisfying manual transmission, it's still a cool coupe that regularly reminds its driver of a bygone era.

What's New for 2022?

For 2022, Dodge does what Dodge does by not making any significant changes to the Challenger lineup. The only difference between last year's models is that the R/T Scat Pack now includes a deluxe security alarm. This feature is also now included with the Convenience Group package.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2022 Dodge Challenger starts at $32,140 and goes up to $54,435 depending on the trim and options.

    We'd select the R/T Scat Pack model for its 485-hp 6.4-liter V-8. Believe it or not, we'd opt for the $1595 eight-speed automatic over the standard manual transmission because it's much more responsive than the slushy-feeling stick shift. We'd also add the adaptive dampers for adjustable ride quality, and the Dynamics package for its wide 20-inch wheels, six-piston Brembo front brakes, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Plus package improves the interior with ambient lighting, faux-suede seat inserts, and much nicer materials on the dashboard and doors. It requires the Driver Convenience Group, too, which brings blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, power mirrors, and high-intensity-discharge headlights.

    Engine, Transmission, and Performance

    The Challenger's base 305-hp V-6 won't satisfy thrill seekers. The modest engine mates exclusively to the eight-speed automatic, but in the heavy Challenger, it lacks the acceleration and excitement of rivals. The Dodge's Hemi V-8 engines are another story. The 375-hp 5.7-liter we tested had plenty of juice to powerslide on demand, and its guttural growl was gratifying. Those looking to maximize the Challenger's potential will want the 6.4-liter V-8, which produces 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. We also drove the T/A 392 with the automatic and admired the exhaust's cannon-blast startup sound and baritone roar when prodded. While we're suckers for a manual transmission, the ZF automatic is incredibly responsive to throttle inputs, with quick power-on downshifts. The Challenger hustles through corners like a raging bull seeing red, snorting aggressively and swaying threateningly. The burly Dodge is a muscle car in the truest sense: It's better on the street and the drag strip than on two-lanes and road courses. Since the lineup's redesign in 2015, the models we've driven have offered a compliant ride that's comfortable but a bit unrefined. Compared with the sharper and stickier handling of the Camaro and Mustang, however, the Challenger is too soft in tight turns and its steering is too numb. The slow-to-react helm is well suited to leisurely drives and easily controlled power-induced tail slides.

    View Photos

    Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

    The rear-drive, V-6-powered Challenger is estimated to earn 19 mpg city and 30 highway. Adding all-wheel drive into the mix lowers those ratings by 1 and 3 mpg, respectively. Challengers with the 5.7-liter V-8 are expected to earn up to 16 mpg city and 25 highway. Versions with the 6.4-liter V-8 are rated up to 15 mpg city and 24 highway. We've tested the all-wheel-drive V-6 Challenger and one with the 485-hp V-8 and automatic transmission on our 75-mph real-world route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. Surprisingly, they both earned 26 mpg on the highway. For more information about the Challenger's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

    Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

    The Challenger has a classic muscle-car interior, with a simple design inspired by its 1970s-era predecessors and comfortable accommodations. Compared with its pony-car rivals, the Dodge is far roomier inside, and adults can actually use the back seat. Unfortunately, its rubberized materials resemble old vinyl rather than premium plastic, and rear visibility is lousy. The Challenger's broad front seats are comfortable for cruising, but even the optional seats, which have added bolstering, don't hug their occupants the way those in the Camaro or Mustang do. Dodge's pony car has an extra seven cubic feet of cargo space in its trunk versus the Camaro. This allows the Challenger to swallow two more bags of luggage than the Camaro. Fold the back seats down and that advantage grows to six. The Challenger has a big center-console bin and a useful spot for a smartphone. Still, none of the cars we tested in this class was particularly adept at storing small items.

    View Photos

    Infotainment and Connectivity

    Every Challenger has a version of Dodge's easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment system. The feature-filled unit includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard equipment. Looking to get the Led out? Listen to Jimmy Page's spine-tingling guitar riffs with one of two optional Alpine audio systems or the crème-de-la-crème 900-watt, 18-speaker Harman/Kardon setup.

    Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

    Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

    2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (4)2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (5)2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (6)2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (7)2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (8)

    View Crash Test Results

    This old-school coupe is available with desirable driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Challenger's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

    • Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
    • Available adaptive cruise control
    • Available automatic high-beams

    Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

    The Challenger has average limited and powertrain warranties. Unlike BMW and Chevrolet, Dodge doesn't provide any complimentary scheduled maintenance.

    • Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
    • Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
    • No complimentary scheduled maintenance

    2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (9)

    Specifications

    VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe

    PRICE AS TESTED: $53,995 (base price: $46,590)

    ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection

    Displacement: 391 cu in, 6410 cc
    Power: 485 hp @ 6100 rpm
    Torque: 475 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

    TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

    DIMENSIONS:
    Wheelbase: 116.2 in
    Length: 198.0 in
    Width: 75.7 in Height: 55.9 in
    Passenger volume: 94 cu ft
    Trunk volume: 16 cu ft
    Curb weight: 4274 lb

    C/D TEST RESULTS:
    Zero to 60 mph: 4.2 sec
    Zero to 100 mph: 9.3 sec
    Zero to 130 mph: 16.0 sec
    Zero to 150 mph: 24.2 sec
    Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.3 sec
    Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.2 sec
    Top gear, 50-70 mph: 2.6 sec
    Standing ¼-mile: 12.5 sec @ 116 mph
    Top speed (drag limited, mfr's claim): 176 mph
    Braking, 70-0 mph: 151 ft
    Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.93 g

    FUEL ECONOMY:
    EPA combined/city/highway: 18/15/25 mpg
    C/D observed: 17 mpg
    C/D observed 75-mph highway driving: 26 mpg
    C/D observed highway range: 480 mi

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    2022 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

    FAQs

    Is A Challenger A Good car to buy? ›

    Critics' Rating 8.4/10. The 2023 Dodge Challenger receives a critics' rating that is about average for the class. This rating, which is driven by our qualitative research, represents the overall tone and recommendation level that the automotive press places on a car.

    How much should I pay for a Dodge Challenger? ›

    2023 Dodge Challenger MSRP and Invoice Price
    TrimsMSRPEdmunds Suggested
    SXT Most Popular$32,695$24,150
    GT$35,995$27,276
    R/T$41,535$32,039
    R/T Scat Pack$48,995$42,893
    6 more rows

    Are challengers cheap to fix? ›

    Each service varies in cost depending on your Challenger's model as well as the place of repair. Overall, the costs can accumulate to over $8,000 to $10,500 or more for 10 years. Stick around to learn more about Dodge Challenger maintenance costs.

    Do challengers hold their value? ›

    The Best Model Years to Buy a Dodge Challenger

    With the 2021, you would only pay, on average, 88% of the price as new, with 92% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2020 and 2022 model years are also attractive years for the Challenger, and provide a relatively good value.

    Do challengers break down a lot? ›

    Dodge Challengers require repairs approximately 0.2 times yearly (about once every five years) compared to other mid-sized cars, which average 0.4 yearly repairs (every 2-3 years). This means you'll need repairs half as often as a typical mid-sized vehicle and routine maintenance can reduce this number further.

    Do Dodge Challengers last long? ›

    The Dodge Challenger has a reliability score of 85 percent out of 100 on JD Power and 88 out of 100 on carnews.com. Its bulky body is built to withstand rough roads and last. They are highly durable and can last up to 20 years with good maintenance.

    Is insurance cheaper for Charger or Challenger? ›

    The cost of insuring a Dodge car can change based on the model. For example, the Dodge Charger is the most affordable to insure at approximately $1,447 per year. Meanwhile, a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has the most expensive insurance premiums at roughly $2,512 per year.

    Is insurance expensive on a Challenger? ›

    Dodge Challenger insurance costs $1,887 annually, which is more expensive than other car models. However, the car model's year, driver's age, and insurer all affect the price of insurance.

    Is Dodge Challenger insurance expensive? ›

    The average cost of insuring a Dodge Challenger is $641 per year for minimum coverage and $2,483 for full coverage. This is higher than the national average cost of car insurance, which is $622 for minimum and $2,014 for full insurance coverage.

    What are the disadvantages of the Dodge Challenger? ›

    10 Most Common Dodge Challenger Problems That Actual Owners...
    • 10 Difficult Top-Ups.
    • 9 Transmission Trouble.
    • 8 Steering Noises.
    • 7 Radio Disconnection.
    • 6 Check Engine Code P0339.
    • 5 Steering Shake At Cruising Speed.
    • 4 Check Engine P0113/P0153.
    • 3 Engine Noises (Not The Good Kind)
    Jan 28, 2023

    How much is an oil change on a Dodge Challenger? ›

    The average cost for a Dodge Challenger Oil Change is between $136 and $150. Labor costs are estimated between $35 and $44 while parts are priced between $101 and $106.

    Do Dodge Challengers have issues? ›

    Dodge Challenger Reliability Problems. Challenger owners have made 264 complaints over 14 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 12th in overall reliability out of 29 Dodge models , with some electrical and engine concerns.

    Why are challengers stolen so often? ›

    While they can certainly produce a lot of horsepower, the downside is they can also attract a lot of negative attention, which can result in them being stolen and sold for a high asking price on the black market. Since 2011, there has been a surge in theft claims for both models at an alarming rate.

    What year is the best Challenger to buy? ›

    The Dodge Challenger is a popular choice for a sports car. We recommend 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 selections if you want to make the most out of every penny.

    Which is more reliable Camaro or Challenger? ›

    The 2022 Challenger scores a reliability rating of 88 out of 100 and the Camaro follows close behind with a rating of 80 out of 100. All three cars are backed by similar warranties. Each automaker covers their car with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty.

    Is the Dodge Challenger a reliable car? ›

    The Dodge Challenger Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 19th out of 24 for midsize cars.

    Is a Challenger a good daily driver? ›

    Yes, the Dodge Challenger is an excellent choice for a daily driver.

    What year Dodge Challenger is the best to buy? ›

    The Dodge Challenger is a popular choice for a sports car. We recommend 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 selections if you want to make the most out of every penny.

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