PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
While it will take a few laps at the track in stride, it still feels like the big car that it is.
Cars.com
still a huge porky porkster—3958 pounds in this case, about 150 more than a V-6 Camaro and 430 more than a V-6 Mustang—so most of what the chassis has to do is mitigate mass
Car and Driver
delivers its punch without the same harshness or vibration of its Bowtie rival, delivering its reps in a smooth, dangerously encouraging wave
Autoblog
goes like stink and left us begging for more wheel time
Popular Mechanics
agile handling for its size
Edmunds
Altogether, there are three main models: V-6 Challenger SE, V-8 Challenger R/T, and the especially high-performance V-8 Challenger SRT8. Challenger R/T models remain powered by a 372-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, with a choice of a five-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual, while SRT8 models get an even bigger 6.4-liter (badged 392 cubic inches) for 2011, producing an exotic-like 470 hp and 470 pound-feet of torque. V-6 models come only with the automatic, though it includes AutoStick manual control.
Although we haven't yet driven the Challenger V-6, it remains the option for those who don't put the priority on performance but want this muscle-coupe's street style at a more affordable price. The rest who value performance will want to go with one of the HEMI V-8-powered models, the R/T or SRT8. Hemi-powered R/T models feel strong and quick, with plenty of torque off the line and plenty left for high-speed passes. But it's the top SRT8 that's hot and blustery, with an old high-powered muscle-car feel and the right sounds to go with it. In any of these versions, you can't go wrong with the automatic transmission, which deals well with the torquey engines, but manual is a great pick for anyone who wants to do the shifting; it's surprisingly light and precise.
As soon as the road turns curvy, the Challenger reveals its greater mass and feels neither as lean and nimble as the Mustang nor as overtly athletic as the Camaro. What's mostly to blame is the steering, which feels overly light and imprecise.
Conclusion
The 2011 Dodge Challenger offers strong acceleration now no matter which engine is under the hood, but it's not the best pick for hustling on mountain backroads.
