Does the Mercedes R-Class Have a Porpoise, Oops...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2010 Dodge Challenger Performance Review

October 6, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Enormous thrust is available from any speed at any time on the SRT8
ConsumerGuide

More Interstate/autobahn cruiser than mountain-road slalom champ
Motor Trend

Optional Tremec T6060 six-speed manual transmission ported from the Dodge Viper
Jalopnik

The 2010 Dodge Challenger is also available as a much more affordable Challenger SE, but serious muscle-car fans and enthusiasts will want to go with one of the HEMI V-8-powered models, the R/T or SRT8.

The uninspiring 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 on the Challenger Dodge SE is, in the words of Motor Trend reviewers, "not slow; it's just not fast, either." Nobody will describe either of the V-8s that way, though, and ConsumerGuide raves that the HEMI-powered "R/T is quite potent, with ample passing reserves." The highest praise is saved for the very capable Dodge Challenger SRT8, which Cars.com describes as "a rocket booster strapped to your fanny" and that Jalopnik says can achieve "a 0-to-60 time of five seconds." Cars.com reports that the 6.1-liter V-8 in the SRT8 provides a "blustery 425 horsepower."

Last year Dodge addressed the lack of a manual transmission on the Challenger with an excellent Tremec six-speed manual gearbox. In addition to the manual option, Cars.com says that the V-8 Dodge Challengers can be fitted with "a crisp-shifting five-speed automatic." Both the five- and six-speed transmissions fare well with reviewers, with ConsumerGuide finding that "the manual transmission has positive, mechanical shift action and a smooth clutch," while the "responsive automatic transmission shifts without harshness." The four-speed auto on the Dodge Challenger SE doesn't hold up quite so admirably to reviewer scrutiny, and Automobile Magazine warns that "you have to be willing to boot it because of the wide gaps between the gears."

The four-speed transmission also doesn't do much to help the Dodge Challenger SE's fuel economy, which ranks about the same as that of the R/T. The official EPA estimates for the Dodge Challenger lineup are 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway for the SE, while the Dodge Challenger R/T offers 16/25 mpg and the SRT8 a measly 13/19 mpg. Road tests appear to verify the SRT8's projected fuel economy, and ConsumerGuide reports that "an automatic-transmission SRT8 averaged 15.8 mpg."

The 2010 Dodge Challenger is somewhat larger than the Ford Mustang and other sporty coupes, and that can make its handling feel a bit more cumbersome, especially in tight curves. Steering response also could be better. Automobile Magazine says that "for a sporting machine...the steering feels light and slow," and Motor Trend describes the 2009 Dodge Challenger as "more Interstate/autobahn cruiser than mountain-road slalom champ."

Braking performance is a pleasant surprise, especially for such a heavy car, and ConsumerGuide says that the "brakes provide sure-footed stopping control."

Conclusion

The 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T offers satisfying acceleration, though it remains more of a high-speed cruiser than a canyon-carver.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Enormous thrust is available from any speed at any time on the SRT8ConsumerGuideMore Interstate/autobahn cruiser than mountain-road slalom champMotor TrendOptional Tremec T6060 six-speed manual transmission ported from the Dodge ViperJalopnik The 2010 Dodge Challenger is also available as a much more affordable Challenger SE, but serious muscle-car fans and enthusiasts will want to go with one of the HEMI V-8-powered models, the R/T or SRT8. The uninspiring 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 on the Challenger Dodge SE is, in the words of Motor Trend reviewers, "not slow; it's just not fast, either." Nobody will describe either of the V-8s that way, though, and ConsumerGuide raves that the HEMI-powered "R/T is quite potent, with ample passing reserves." The highest praise is saved for the very capable Dodge Challenger SRT8, which Cars.com describes as "a rocket booster strapped to your fanny" and that Jalopnik says can achieve "a 0-to-60 time of five seconds." Cars.com reports that the 6.1-liter V-8 in the SRT8 provides a "blustery 425 horsepower." Last year Dodge addressed the lack of a manual transmission on the Challenger with an excellent Tremec six-speed manual gearbox. In addition to the manual option, Cars.com says that the V-8 Dodge Challengers can be fitted with "a crisp-shifting five-speed automatic." Both the five- and six-speed transmissions fare well with reviewers, with ConsumerGuide finding that "the manual transmission has positive, mechanical shift action and a smooth clutch," while the "responsive automatic transmission shifts without harshness." The four-speed auto on the Dodge Challenger SE doesn't hold up quite so admirably to reviewer scrutiny, and Automobile Magazine warns that "you have to be willing to boot it because of the wide gaps between the gears." The four-speed transmission also doesn't do much to help the Dodge Challenger SE's fuel economy, which ranks about the same as that of the R/T. The official EPA estimates for the Dodge Challenger lineup are 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway for the SE, while the Dodge Challenger R/T offers 16/25 mpg and the SRT8 a measly 13/19 mpg. Road tests appear to verify the SRT8's projected fuel economy, and ConsumerGuide reports that "an automatic-transmission SRT8 averaged 15.8 mpg." The 2010 Dodge Challenger is somewhat larger than the Ford Mustang and other sporty coupes, and that can make its handling feel a bit more cumbersome, especially in tight curves. Steering response also could be better. Automobile Magazine says that "for a sporting machine...the steering feels light and slow," and Motor Trend describes the 2009 Dodge Challenger as "more Interstate/autobahn cruiser than mountain-road slalom champ." Braking performance is a pleasant surprise, especially for such a heavy car, and ConsumerGuide says that the "brakes provide sure-footed stopping control." ConclusionThe 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T offers satisfying acceleration, though it remains more of a high-speed cruiser than a canyon-carver. 2010 DODGE CHALLENGER STYLING | [9 out of 10] Car and Driver: "Visually, the SE is closest to the 1970 model" Automobile Magazine: "The R/T is no less a head-turner than the SRT8" Motor Trend: "Standard with a healthy dose of retro-modern style" With all three Detroit automakers now ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The muscle-car revival is still in full force, with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro replaying an old rivalry. Only this time, all three cars are a lot more practical and day-to-day livable. The 2010 Dodge Challenger has the most usable backseat of the three, but none of them are particularly spacious. Relative to the Mustang and Camaro, the Challenger has a bit more space for front-seat occupants and would likely be more comfortable for a road trip. The V-6 SE model matches reasonably well against the Mustang V-6, but the Camaro’s V-6, now with more than 300 horsepower, easily beats them and is a step above in refinement. At the top of the range, the Camaro SS and Mustang GT match up nicely with the Challenger SRT8, but the powerful Shelby GT500 Mustang holds a huge horsepower advantage over the SRT8. One other new model to consider is the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, an all-new rear-wheel-drive coupe that has a completely different flavor but takes on V-6 models of the Mustang and Camaro.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Dodge Challenger from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Dodge Challenger

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Dodge Challenger

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Dodge Challenger near you

See the Dodge Challenger in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (2 total)

  1. By NJB #1, Posted: 10/8/2009

    Your review is incorrect - no 2010 Challengers use the 4 speed transmission, it was replaced with an automatic 5 speed in the 2010 SE.

  2. By chuckie #2, Posted: 10/25/2009

    I agree with the first post. The 2010 Challenger has a 5 speed automatic standard. The 4 speed was last year. That is a major point to get wrong in a review. Maybe you should print a revision.
    Also, if you’re going to give the Challenger a 7 for quality because of interior plastic, you should also give the Camaro a 7 instead of an 8.
    My muscle car loving daughter needs a new ride. I want decent gas mileage, and a low sales price. I would get the V6 1LT Camaro, but my daughter likes the bodylines of the Challenger. After looking at the comparably equipped 1LT Camaro with automatic and the base SE Challenger with automatic, this is our opinion:
    The Challenger is better in:
    Interior space, rear seat space, trunk space, trunk opening, exterior visibility, and price.
    The Camaro is better in:
    Horsepower, 0 to 60 time, a 6th gear, highway gas mileage, and wider tires.
    I like the price of the SE Challenger $23,460 verses the 1LT Camaro $25,725. I’m not a fan of the Camaro speedometer / tach look.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy