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- Highs Offers two charismatic V-8s, comfier and roomier than the Camaro and Mustang, the only muscle car with all-wheel drive.
- Lows Not as athletic on the street as rivals, interior materials are blah, imprecise manual shifter.
- Verdict The Challenger is a rowdy, retro-themed muscle car that is comfier albeit lazier than its rivals.
Overview
History tells us the 2021 Dodge Challenger competes with the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang, but reality tells us it has a totally different personality. While all three American muscle cars are headlined by high-powered V-8s, there's a big discrepancy in how they drive. Compared with the Chevy's and the Ford's razor-sharp handling, the Dodge is better suited for relaxed cruising, with a crescendoing V-8 exhaust note always ready on command. Those who desire the mightiest version will want the SRT Hellcat (reviewed separately), which makes up to 807 horsepower. The Challenger's interior isn't always easy to look at or see out of, but it has comfier seats and more passenger space than its rivals'. Its capacious trunk, segment-exclusive all-wheel-drive option (available on V-6 models only), and roster of colorful paint options and retro-themed appearance packages also make it stand out from the Camaro and Mustang.
What's New for 2021?
The Challenger lineup receives several minor updates for 2021. Dodge now offers a memory feature for models with a power-adjustable steering column, driver's seat, and side mirrors as well as for the radio presets. A set of 20-inch wheels are newly optional on the all-wheel-drive SXT and standard on the all-wheel-drive GT. And R/T Scat Pack buyers can now add SRT branding to their Brembo brake calipers.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Despite our preference for the V-8-powered Camaro and Mustang, there's a lot of nostalgia and value offered by the Challenger. So we'd maximize both of those attributes, selecting the R/T Scat Pack model. It comes standard with the 485-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 (versus the 375-hp 5.7-liter on the regular R/T) and the choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Believe it or not, we'd opt for the $1595 automatic because it's much more responsive than the slushy-feeling stick-shift. We'd also add the adaptive dampers for adjustable ride quality and the Dynamics package for its wide 20-inch wheels, six-piston Brembo front brakes, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Plus package improves the interior with ambient lighting, faux-suede seat inserts, and much nicer materials on the dashboard and doors. It requires the Driver Convenience Group, too, which brings blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, power mirrors, and high-intensity-discharge headlights.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Challenger's base 305-hp V-6 won't satisfy thrill seekers. The modest engine mates exclusively to the eight-speed automatic, but in the heavy Challenger, it lacks the acceleration and excitement of rivals. The Dodge's Hemi V-8 engines are another story. The 375-hp 5.7-liter we tested had plenty of juice to powerslide on demand, and its guttural growl was gratifying. Those looking to maximize the Challenger's potential will want the 6.4-liter V-8, which produces 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. We also drove the T/A 392 with the automatic and admired the exhaust's cannon-blast startup sound and baritone roar when prodded. While we're suckers for a manual transmission, the ZF automatic is incredibly responsive to throttle inputs, with quick power-on downshifts. The Challenger hustles through corners like a raging bull seeing red, snorting aggressively and swaying threateningly. The burly Dodge is a muscle car in the truest sense: It's better on the street and the drag strip than on two-lanes and road courses. Since the lineup's redesign in 2015, the models we've driven have offered a compliant ride that's comfortable but a bit unrefined. Compared with the sharper and stickier handling of the Camaro and Mustang, however, the Challenger is too soft in tight turns and its steering is too numb. The slow-to-react helm is well suited to leisurely drives and easily controlled power-induced tail slides.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the 2021 Challenger with the V-6 and rear-wheel drive will earn 19 mpg city and 30 highway. Adding all-wheel drive into the mix nixes those ratings by 1 and 3 mpg, respectively. Challengers with the 5.7-liter V-8 are expected to earn up to 16 mpg city and 25 highway. Versions with the 6.4-liter V-8 are rated up to 15 mpg city and 24 highway. We've tested the all-wheel-drive V-6 Challenger and one with the 485-hp V-8 and automatic transmission on our 75-mph real-world route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. Surprisingly, they both earned 26 mpg on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Challenger has a classic muscle-car interior, with a simple design inspired by its 1970s-era predecessors and comfortable accommodations. Compared with its pony-car rivals, the Dodge is far roomier inside, and adults can actually use the back seat. Unfortunately, its rubberized materials resemble old vinyl rather than premium plastic, and rear visibility is lousy. The Challenger's broad front seats are comfortable for cruising, but even the optional seats, which have added bolstering, don't hug their occupants the way those in the Camaro or Mustang do. Dodge's pony car has an extra seven cubic feet of cargo space in its trunk versus the Camaro. This allows the Challenger to swallow two more bags of luggage than the Camaro. Fold the back seats down and that advantage grows to six. The Challenger has a big center-console bin and a useful spot for a smartphone. Still, none of the cars we tested in this class were particularly adept at storing small items.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Challenger has a version of Dodge's easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment system. The feature-filled unit includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard equipment. Looking to get the Led out? Listen to Jimmy Page's spine-tingling guitar riffs with one of two optional Alpine audio systems or the crème-de-la-crème 900-watt, 18-speaker Harman/Kardon setup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The 2021 Challenger earned a four-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it wasn't named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This old-school coupe is available with desirable driver-assistance technology. Key safety features:
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alert
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Available automatic high-beams
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Challenger has average limited and powertrain warranties. Unlike BMW and Chevrolet, Dodge doesn't provide any complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
