2013 Dodge Challenger Review by Cars.com Staff

2013 Dodge Challenger

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2013 Dodge Challenger

Starting MSRP $25,995–$43,995


Expert Reviews

By Cars.com Staff

Cars.com National September 11, 2012

Vehicle Overview

This big, retro two-door coupe seats five. It's offered with a choice of V-6 or V-8 power, and it is also available in high-performance SRT8 392 form with a 470-horsepower V-8 engine. Competitors include the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.


(Skip to details on the: SRT8 392)

New for 2013

The Rallye Redline model joins the Challenger lineup for 2013. It features a body-length red stripe, deck lid spoiler, 20-inch black chrome wheels with performance tires, premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated front seats, a performance suspension, a 305-hp V-6 engine, a performance steering setup, larger brake discs and a 3.06:1 rear-axle ratio.

Exterior

Unlike the Dodge Charger sedan, which borrows primarily a name from the muscle-car era, the Challenger was designed after the 1970 model, and it's unmistakably a Challenger from any angle. It has a broad grille and rear-end. Other exterior features include:

  • Standard body-colored door handles, front and rear bumpers, and mirrors
  • Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels; 20-inch rims optional
  • Standard chrome exhaust tips
  • Optional fog lights
  • Optional sunroof
  • Optional high-intensity-discharge headlights

Interior

The Challenger continues its retro-themed looks on the inside with its gauge cluster and black headliner. In manual-transmission cars, the shifter features a unique pistol-grip design. Other interior features include:

  • Standard cloth upholstery; optional leather
  • Standard power-adjustable driver's seat; heated front seats optional
  • Standard automatic air conditioning
  • Standard cruise control
  • Standard remote start on automatic-transmission cars
  • Standard 60/40-split folding rear bench with armrest and two cupholders
  • Standard CD stereo with MP3 jack
  • Optional touch-screen stereo with 30-gigabyte hard drive
  • Optional navigation system

Under the Hood

The Challenger's standard engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 that teams with a five-speed automatic transmission. The R/T has a 5.7-liter V-8 that features cylinder deactivation on versions with the five-speed automatic. The technology allows the car to operate on four cylinders when less power is needed to save fuel. A six-speed manual is also available for the R/T. Mechanical features include:

  • Standard 305-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 with 268 pounds-feet of torque
  • Optional 5.7-liter V-8 makes 372 hp and 400 pounds-feet of torque with the automatic transmission and 375 hp and 410 pounds-feet of torque with the manual
  • Both engines use regular gas
  • Standard all-disc brakes

Safety

Standard safety features include:

  • Side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants
  • Front-seat side-impact airbags
  • Electronic stability system
  • Antilock brakes
  • Active front head restraints

SRT8 392

The performance-oriented SRT8 392 is powered by a 470-hp, 6.4-liter V-8, and the coupe comes with a new three-mode adaptive suspension system for 2013. Launch control is also now standard. Dodge says the SRT8 392 can go from zero to 60 mph in the high-4-second range and run the quarter-mile in the mid-12-second range. Other features include:

  • Six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission
  • Performance-tuned dual exhaust system
  • 20-inch aluminum wheels
  • Brembo-brand brakes
  • Limited-slip differential
  • Uconnect hands-free phone system
  • Reconfigurable display can show zero-to-60-mph times, eighth- and quarter-mile times, braking performance and g-force readings
  • Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Available Harman Kardon premium stereo

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Additional Reviews

Cars.com Expert Reviews

Mike HanleyCars.com NationalOctober 15, 2012
Cars.com StaffCars.com NationalSeptember 11, 2012

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