SUMMARY
The Dodge Challenger is a love letter addressed to the classic American muscle cars of old. Its base model, the Challenger SXT, is a great start and comes with a whole lot of options with its drive system and powertrain. Although it’s much heftier than the competition, it still stands out as one of the smoothest driving muscle cars available. In this review of the 2022 Dodge, we’ll be looking into the various aspects that make this car a blast to drive even up till now.
LATEST
The 2022 Dodge Challenger and its various trims have experienced not many changes in its transition to the 2022 model year. One change would be the addition of a deluxe security alarm to the R/T Scat Pack and the Convenience Group package.
ESTIMATED PRICE
The 2022 Dodge Challenger’s price points vary depending on which of the many trim levels and models you wish to go for. The various different costs of the 2022 Dodge Challenger are available on the table below:
| Trim (Drivetrain) | MSRP* |
| Challenger SXT | $ 31,275 |
| Challenger GT | $ 34,550 |
| Challenger R/T | $ 38,825 |
| Challenger R/T Scat Pack | $ 44,600 |
| Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody | $50,595 |
No official statements have been given on the 2022 Dodge Challenger’s average lease price. However, certain estimates on the lease price of the base Challenger SXT puts it about $409/month on a 3-year plan with $10,000 down payment.
MACHINE PERFORMANCE
The Dodge Challenger has a whole host of engine options to tailor itself to the preferences of buyers everywhere. The options available on the various Challenger models are the:
- 6.4-Liter HEMI V8 Engine
- 5.7-Liter HEMI V8 Engine and
- 3.6-Liter Pentastar V6 Engine
First, the 3.6-Liter V6 Engine is fitted onto the SXT and GT Challenger models. These models take gasoline and have an output of 303 horsepower and 268 pounds-feet of torque. This model also comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive being standard. However, drivers can outfit these 2 models with an all-wheel drive system.
The Challenger R/T comes next, using a 5.7-liter V8 that comes paired with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. Drivers can also go for an 8-speed AT transmission instead, available as an option on configuration. This allows the Challenger R/T to produce up to 375 horsepower and a torque output of 410 pounds-feet with the manual transmission, and 372 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque for the automatic versions. Of course, to get this performance you’d need to fuel up on premium gasoline.
The R/T Scat Pack upgrades the engine further with a 6.4-Liter V8 engine. It has the same options for transmission and produces up to 485 horsepower and a torque output of 475 pounds-feet. 6-speed Manual comes standard to the R/T Scat Pack, with the 8-speed automatic being the optional choice.
In terms of agility, the Dodge Challenger has a lot of catching up to do. It is one of the heftier options in its class, really pointing it towards a specific style of driving. Handling is still quite cumbersome, being a bit stickier when turning when compared to other muscle cars. It’s more on the leisurely side of things where the driver can take advantage of its responsive throttle inputs.
FUEL EFFICIENT & ACTUAL MPG
The Fuel economy of this iteration of the Dodge Challenger varies with its different engine and transmission options. The V6 models of the Challenger have been estimated by the EPA to have about 19 MPG/City and 30 MPG/Highway. All of these ratings are reduced to 18 MPG/City and 27 MPG/Highway when it comes to the all-wheel models.
The R/T trim, fitted with the 5.7-Liter V8 engine, has an EPA rating of about 16 MPG/City and 25 MPG/Highway with an automatic transmission. The Manual versions of the R/T trim has an EPA rating of 15 MPG/City and 23 MPG/Highway.
The R/T Scat pack, coming equipped with the 6.4-Liter V8, also have an EPA rating 15 MPG/City and 24 MPG/Highway for the rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive versions perform less in this regard with a set of EPA ratings that put it at 14 MPG/City and 23 MPG/Highway.
INTERIOR, SOLACE & BAGGAGE
The interior of the 2022 Dodge Challenger still proudly exhibits its all-American pride, sporting a bit of a retro look reminiscent of the muscle cars of yesteryear. Overall, the front seats of the Challenger are comfortable for when you’re taking it out on a drive. The optional seats, however, are much more cumbersome and don’t properly envelop the passengers. The rear seats at the back have ample enough headroom and legroom for passengers to still be comfortable. Other elements of the interior can be described as simple, having many of the car’s knobs, buttons, and even the center console angled towards the driver. The visibility at the rear is obscured by a bunch of wide rear pillars, essentially making the blind-spot monitoring option more of a requirement than an actual option. These could help in stopping you from running over something that these pillars are obscuring from your view.
TECHNOLOGY
The Dodge Challenger come equipped with the Uconnect infotainment system. The simple nature of this system allows any driver, whether they’re tech-savvy or not, to effortlessly navigate through its different options and features. It comes integrated with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, all configured through either the standard 7-inch or the R/T Scat Pack’s 8.4-inch touchscreen. The audio system can either be sourced from Alpine, or the more premium 18-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.
SAFETY
The Dodge Challenger has scored a respectable 5-star rating for overall safety from the NHTSA. In terms of a frontal crash or a rollover, it scored a 4-star rating. Overall, it’s a respectable car that can withstand the impact of an accident and protect its passengers. Safety feature and driver-assistance technologies are of course available on the Challenger. These features are given as optional, instead of as a standard kit for the car. Features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and avoidance, an adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams are some of the choices that drivers can avail of.
WARRANTY
The Challenger’s warranty plans are quite limited when compared to that offered by its rivals. Dodge also does not give any plans for complimentary scheduled maintenance. The Limited Warranty is covered for 3 years or for the first 36,000 miles driven. The Powertrain is under warranty for a length of 5 years or for the first 60,000 miles driven, whichever comes first.