Best Car Models & All About Cars: 2012 Dodge Challenger

2012 Dodge Challenger

These days's Dodge Challenger is a good recreation of the musclecar classic. From all angles, it's the most faithful interpretation of the era, even compared with the fat-fendered Chevy Camaro and the horse-embossed Mustang. There's HEMI power on the market underneath the hood, and smart recent rear-wheel drive. However the Challenger's conjointly a comfy touring coupe with an independent suspension and a number of the latest tech options.

With its broad expanses of flat sheetmetal, a classic long-nose form, and a vivid selection of colors, the Challenger channels the musclecars of the Sixties and Seventies nearly perfectly. If you're the proper age, it is a warm blast of nostalgia, but even younger drivers can admire its modern, crisp lines without finding them cartoonish. The SRT8 cherrypicks Challenger history for its add-ons, with deeper air dams and purposeful brake ducts, and choices for a Ram air hood and numerous striping packages--even Stinger Yellow paint. That said, the cabin's a relative letdown, with a spare style that doesn't quite mesh with the exterior as neatly, despite the offered pistol-grip shifter. Some highly visible, higher-tech options like a huge LCD touchscreen detract from the vintage feel, however therefore will the interior's lack of pleasure.

The quality-issue Challenger SE encompasses a three.half dozen-liter V-half-dozen with 305 horsepower, available with either a pistol-gripped manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. Performance isn't its top priority, however it's reasonably competitive with the base Mustang and Camaro, and therefore the manual shifter could be a good one, and doesn't seem out of place in the massive Challenger. A big revolution comes with the five.7-liter HEMI V-8 found within the R/T model; it's 375 horsepower and a throaty, gorgeous rumble to go with it. It's the SRT8 that turns on the total blast of musclecar acceleration. Its "392" engine, a half dozen.four-liter HEMI V-8, barrels off the road with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Fuel economy of up to twenty three mpg in the V-half-dozen is muted by the V-eight Challenger's numbers in the high teens.

In all versions, the Challenger feels less nimble than these days's Mustang, and even the wide, short Camaro cuts corners additional crisply than the large Dodge. The Challenger weighs additional and has a longer wheelbase, which interprets into a bigger road feel that makes the Mustang feel lean. The Challenger's steering is just too light-weight and not as precise because it might be--it's outpaced by the latest Mustang's zippy electric steering--however the ride quality is terribly well damped. SRT8 models now offer an adaptive suspension with traditional and sport shock modes, but we tend to haven't yet tested one.

The Challenger's size plays to its advantage inside. It is a magnitude additional comfy and quiet than its competitors, particularly in front, where head room will be a revelation to Camaro drivers. The back seat could be a bit a lot of pinched, but still better than the Chevy, though leg room is minimal and visibility is simply too, the product of the Challenger's wide rear roof pillars. The trunk's huge: at 16 cubic feet, it's larger than in some family sedans.

Crash test scores don't seem to be available from the NHTSA and IIHS, however the Challenger will provide the usual gear, together with a driver knee airbags and options for a rearview camera, Bluetooth and blind-spot monitors.

All Challengers come with commonplace climate control; power windows, locks and mirrors; a CD player; and cruise control. Major options include a navigation system with an simply understood interface; a USB port for media players; in-car wireless Internet, through a plug-in 3G dongle; a leather interior; and a sunroof. This year brings a new Harmon Kardon 90zero-watt audio system possibility, too. All told, a Challenger SRT8 will high $50,00zero, where it's either a considerable discount compared to a classic Hemi Cuda, or a huge premium over a lot of fashionable sportscars from MINI Coupes to Nissan 370Zs.

2012 Dodge Challenger Interior