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.
Though the 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. At the tippy top of the range is the 717-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat and its even more potent variants, the Hellcat Redeye and SRT Super Stock. If you want one of those hellish heavy hitters, you should order one soon since 2023 is likely the last year for the supercharged Hellcat drivetrain.
For being based on an old platform, the Challenger delivers a surprisingly supple ride. Its handling is also not as nautical on a twisty road as its dimensions and curb weight might suggest, though it can’t hang with competitors like the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro. It may be a decade and a half old, but with its nostalgic design, decent ride and handling and power-mad available supercharged V8, it’s hard not to like the Challenger.
Dodge hasn’t released official information on the 2023 Challenger as of this writing. We’ll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year’s Challenger, our recommendation is the R/T Scat Pack for its just-right V8 power and range of available extras.
[Editor’s note: The following information is based on last year’s Challenger. We expect the 2023 model will have a similar lineup and we’ll update this section once we have complete information.] Dodge sells the Challenger in five main trim levels: SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat. (As noted above, it’s possible the SRT Hellcat will be discontinued for 2023.) But within those trims you have numerous choices to make. For example, all-wheel drive is available on the SXT and GT trims, while the R/T Scat Pack and the SRT Hellcats are available in a wide-body configuration. Feature highlights for the Challenger include:
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