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2010 Dodge Challenger Safety Review

October 6, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal and side impact
NHTSA

Outward sightlines are hampered by thick pillars, fixed rear headrests, a low roof, and a long hood
Car and Driver

Although the 2010 Dodge Challenger hasn't been crash-tested by both major U.S. agencies, it's fared very well in one set of tests; the federal government (NHTSA) gave the Challenger five stars in all frontal and side tests.

Nearly all the expected safety equipment is now included on the Challenger. Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, and side curtain bags are standard across the model line. The top-of-the-line 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 heaps on additional safety features, which Motor Trend lists as "Hill Start Assist, which helps manual transmission cars launch more securely on inclines," and upgraded Brembo brakes. Cars.com reports that the Dodge Challenger "SRT8 has traction and stability control to avoid spinning the tires and [keep] you headed in the right direction," a valuable feature in a car as prone to wheelspin.

Several reviewers suggest that outward visibility is an issue in the 2010 Challenger. According to ConsumerGuide, the Challenger's "roof design severely limits visibility to the rear corners." Car and Driver expands upon that criticism, finding that the "outward sightlines are hampered by thick pillars, fixed rear headrests, a low roof, and a long hood."

Conclusion

All the essential safety features are represented in the 2010 Dodge Challenger, and crash tests have been positive, but visibility could be an issue.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal and side impactNHTSAOutward sightlines are hampered by thick pillars, fixed rear headrests, a low roof, and a long hoodCar and Driver Although the 2010 Dodge Challenger hasn't been crash-tested by both major U.S. agencies, it's fared very well in one set of tests; the federal government (NHTSA) gave the Challenger five stars in all frontal and side tests. Nearly all the expected safety equipment is now included on the Challenger. Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, and side curtain bags are standard across the model line. The top-of-the-line 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 heaps on additional safety features, which Motor Trend lists as "Hill Start Assist, which helps manual transmission cars launch more securely on inclines," and upgraded Brembo brakes. Cars.com reports that the Dodge Challenger "SRT8 has traction and stability control to avoid spinning the tires and [keep] you headed in the right direction," a valuable feature in a car as prone to wheelspin. Several reviewers suggest that outward visibility is an issue in the 2010 Challenger. According to ConsumerGuide, the Challenger's "roof design severely limits visibility to the rear corners." Car and Driver expands upon that criticism, finding that the "outward sightlines are hampered by thick pillars, fixed rear headrests, a low roof, and a long hood." ConclusionAll the essential safety features are represented in the 2010 Dodge Challenger, and crash tests have been positive, but visibility could be an issue. 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.

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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.

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