2022 Dodge Challenger Review: Sticking To Tradition (2024)

by Gerhard Horn

It's going to be interesting to see what the muscle car segment in the USA will look like in ten years. For decades the recipe has always been big engines and rear-wheel-drive, as is the case with the Dodge Challenger, but what will the muscle car be like in a downsized world? Ford and Chevrolet have already given us a taste, offering small-capacity turbocharged four-pot engines in entry-level models. Dodge has stuck to its guns, however. The smallest engine available is 3.6 liters, nearly double what an entry-level Chevy offers.

The only concession Dodge has made is offering all-wheel-drive, but only on entry-level V6 models. The rest is still old-school muscle car. Is it time for Dodge to join the modern world, or should it continue to give the green establishment the finger until the EPA eventually kicks its factory doors down?

• Granite Pearlcoat +$95
• Indigo Blue +$95
• Smoke Show +$95
• Triple Nickel Clearcoat +$95
• F8 Green +$95
• Frostbite +$95
• Stinger Yellow Clearcoat, Build Out: 10/07/2021 +$95
• Hellraisin +$395
• Octane Red Pearlcoat +$395
• Sinamon Stick +$395
• Go Mango +$395
• Pitch Black Clearcoat
• Torred Clearcoat
• White Knuckle Clearcoat

• 

  Engines

  3.6L V6 Gas, 5.7L V8 Gas, 6.4L V8 Gas

• 

  Transmissions

  6-Speed Manual, 8-Speed Automatic

• 

  Drivetrains

  AWD, RWD

Muscle cars have traditionally been all about straight-line speed, and once again, Dodge remained faithful to the formula but to its detriment. Its rivals are far more capable when tackling corners. These include the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, which is particularly impressive.

Driving the Dodge, you immediately notice how much weight you have under your hands when the wheels are pointed dead ahead. Apply any sort of lock, and the steering is lifeless and devoid of feel. Body roll is well-controlled, but that's the only praise. It's a hefty car with a suspension designed for cruising rather than canyon carving.

On the plus side, it is comfortable enough to use daily if you can stomach the awkward dimensions. Models with 20-inch alloys are more susceptible to bumps, but road noise is kept to a minimum.

The Challenger is a two-trick pony. It can hustle in a straight line with the right engine, and it can cruise long distances without breaking the driver's back. To be brutally honest, it feels dynamically limited thanks to its competitors now being multi-talented driving machines.

• 

  Trunk Volume

  16.2 ft³

• Basic:

  3 Years\36,000 Miles

• Drivetrain:

  5 Years\60,000 Miles

• Corrosion:

  5 Years\Unlimited Miles

• Roadside Assistance:

  5 Years\60,000 Miles

The newest Dodge Challenger looks like a much older car, which is especially noticeable at the lower end of the range. The Hellcat and Super Stock at least have their own unique selling points, but the rest of the range struggles to make a case for existing. All things considered, the standard Challenger range is left with only two unique draws: the availability of AWD and practical interior space. Sadly, neither are priorities when shopping for a pony car in the US.

The Camaro and Mustang are in a different league. Yes, they do the straight-line thing, but they can also handle corners. Adding driver assistance features to the Mustang is also cheaper, and high-end Camaros come standard with the smart safety kit.

While not the best, the Dodge Challenger still has some old-school charm, which endears it to die-hard fans of the traditional muscle car.

The Challenger and Charger are the same car, just with a different body. The lineup is exactly the same, as are the engine options and standard features. The Charger is the more practical of the two, though its trunk isn't that much bigger. But, having two extra doors makes a big difference.

Deciding between the two is a purely personal choice. It comes down to whether you're willing to sacrifice practicality for some retro styling. Having said that, the Charger is looking mighty fine these days. With its downward-angled headlights, bigger air intakes, and performance hood with power bulges (standard from GT spec), it looks very purposeful. Better even than the Challenger, at least to our eyes.

Things start falling apart for the Dodge when you compare it to the more modern Mustang. In fact, there are only three reasons why you'd choose the Dodge: you either prefer the design, want an AWD option, or like the added practicality. It definitely is reminiscent of images of the muscle cars of yesteryear.

While the Dodge's practicality is a nice touch, it doesn't really matter. Customers shopping in this segment want excitement, and the Mustang easily trounces the Challenger.

At the lower-end, the Ford's 310 hp 2.3-liter four-pot easily outperforms the older 3.6-liter V6.

The Ford's 5.0 Coyote V8 isn't as powerful as the Hemi V8, but the performance is so similar that you wouldn't even notice. And when it comes to tackling corners, the Mustang is in a different league. Add in Ford's comprehensive Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance suite as standard, better build quality, and nicer materials, and you have a much more compelling package. To take on the Ford, Dodge is going to have to completely overhaul the Challenger.