2016 Dodge Challenger vs. Its Competition

Kirk Bell Senior Editor

The Dodge Challenger is equipped to fight the continuing muscle-car battle with its traditional rivals, the Camaro and Mustang.

The Camaro is new this year, but that doesn't correct its limited headroom and poor outward visibility, though it should be much more nimble than the Challenger.

The Mustang has quick moves as well but less space than the Challenger.

Both the Nissan 370Z and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe are completely different kinds of vehicles, but we're including them here as alternatives because like the Challenger, they provide a lot of performance, on a budget, while largely eschewing luxury pretense.

You probably wouldn't ever call the Hyundai Genesis Coupe a pony car, but it offers rear-wheel drive, and its V-6 model, while a different kind of car completely, does face off in pricing against the Challenger.

You'll find sharper driving dynamics and better handling in the much lighter and rawer Nissan 370Z coupe, but it is starting to age.

Finally, one wild-card alternative versus the Challenger is the Honda Accord V-6 Coupe.

It's a very different, polar-opposite take on the idea of a mid-size coupe.