Dodge Challenger

 The Challenger concedes points to rivals when it comes to interior refinement and sporty driving dynamics. But drivers who value comfort and utility will likely prefer the Dodge.

Overview

Dodge revived the Challenger coupe way back in 2008, and though the retro-styled muscle car tribute has seen many upgrades over the years, it rides on one of the oldest vehicle platforms still sold as a "new" car. The current Challenger, along with its Charger sedan sibling, is due to be phased out by 2024, possibly replaced by the new all-electric performance car Dodge has teased. Whatever the brand has in store for the iconic nameplate, this generation is finally coming to an end, and the 2023 Dodge Challenger begins the process of winding things down.

Cost to Drive

Though the 2023 Dodge Challenger is known for producing obscene amounts of horsepower from the most aggressive versions, the lineup starts with a still powerful but less conspicuous 303-horsepower V6 in the base SXT and GT. From there, things only get spicier as every other model gets a V8 engine. Near the top of the range is the 717-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat and its even more potent variants, the Hellcat Redeye, SRT Super Stock and new SRT Demon 170.

The SRT Demon 170 is part of a series of "Last Call" special editions released throughout the model year. Most of them just have cosmetic differences but the Demon 170 is truly special. It's effectively an updated version of the original Demon sold for 2018. This new 170 produces 880 horsepower on 91 octane pump gas. The numbers climb to 900 hp and 810 lb-ft of torque on E10 (pump fuel containing a 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol blend) before maxing out at 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque with 85% ethanol race fuel. And what does this get you? Oh, just 0-60 mph in a Dodge-claimed 1.66 seconds and an NHRA-certified quarter-mile time of 8.9 seconds at 151.1 mph.

It seems like a pretty great way to go out on top. While we're sad to see the Challenger go, we know it's time to move on. Read our Expert Rating below for our test team's full report on the final year of the Challenger.