QUALITY | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
cabin is crafted using more upscale materials, but it’s still so damn black that the only immediately noticeable change is the new steering wheel
Car and Driver
From the looks of things, Don Johnson had a hand in the buckets' design.
Autoblog
accommodates drivers both small and large with equal ease
Edmunds
Inside, the new SRT8 receives myriad enhancements, the most welcome of which is a smaller, three-spoke steering wheel that replaces the previous car's bulkier, four-spoke helm.
Motor Trend
The increased damping gives a barely harsher ride than before — still plenty comfy, as the 2008-'10 Challenger was like a four-wheeled sofa.
Edmunds' Inside Line
The Challenger's larger size versus the Mustang and Camaro pays dividends inside, where the Challenger is the only one of the muscle coupes to offer seating for five. It also provides more refined cabin appointments in general, and a more smooth, sophisticated ride in all but the top performance versions.
The front seats will find many fans. Well-bolstered, supportive, yet not too hard, they're great for day-long drives. The Alcantara and leather upholstered seats in the SRT8 model are even better, combining comfort with breathability and driver security in aggressive maneuvers.
Technically, access to the back seat involves some contortion, and you'll only have two adults try sitting back there, but it's doable. And at 16 cubic feet, the trunk is larger than those of some sedan models.
Ride comfort is excellent for this kind of car, with the suspension mellowing out harsh bumps and jolts well. Very little road or wind noise penetrate the cabin, but V-8 models deliver an engine/exhaust rumble that, while pleasant on shorter or sportier trips, can become droning on longer drives.
Materials throughout the cabin are generally good, though some plastics and switches look a bit cheaper than necessary. LED cupholders, a hand-stitched leather-trimmed shift knob, and available upgrade to Nappa leather dress it up, however.
Conclusion
Given its muscle-car pedigree, the 2013 Dodge Challenger is more practical and comfortable than you might think.
