10 reasons why the Dodge Challenger is the epitome of the American Muscle Car | Taza Khabre

The Dodge Challenger was always up against the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang, but it always won, and that’s because it truly is the epitome of the American Muscle Car. For many people, this is what a real muscle car should be. It’s bold, and more importantly, it’s bold.

Since the release of the car in 1970, the Dodge company has constantly updated it. However, he also kept all the parts of the car that make it muscle intact. It muscle car with a combination of retro style. It has the best specs and of course it has such a sweet, sweet V8.

In the modern era, it is one of the few cars that has remained true to its roots. This car is not only one of the fastest, but also one of the most sought after cars in the United States. There’s a reason Dodge has sold more of these cars than the Mustang in early 2023. According to Good Car Bad Car, In the first quarter of 2023, 22,128 Challenger cars were sold, while the Mustang came in second with about 14,000.

HotCars analyzed the features and attributes of the 2022 Dodge Challenger to highlight its similarities to the quintessential American Muscle Car.


10 The 2022 Dodge Challenger has iconic styling

The 2022 Challenger is one of the third versions of this car, which was launched in 2008. Over time, Dodge changed its appearance, but the basic style remained the same. The best thing about this car is that you can’t miss it when it’s driving down the street. It has a bulky boxy design and four headlights reminiscent of the Challengers of the 70s and 80s.

Despite the unchanged general shape of the body on all trim levels, each of them brings a unique touch to the table. Among the different options, you’ll find differences in hood design and stripe options. Plus, with a range of 13 available colors, including bold options like Go Mango, Frostbite and Hell-Raisin, the Challenger gives you the ability to customize your style to suit the buyer’s preferences. The car looks old on the outside, but on the inside it has everything a modern car should have. It has luxury touches like Nappa leather upholstery and suede accents, among other features that can quickly increase the car’s value.

9 The 2022 Dodge Challenger has many engine options

2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye SuperCharged Hemi Engine
Dodge

One of the Challenger’s best features is its sheer power. It comes with a host of engine options that deliver stunning performance. Engines offered in this car start with a base 3.6-liter V6 that produces 303 hp. and 268 lb-ft of torque. Kind of disappointing considering it’s pure muscle, isn’t it? Well, for those looking for even more muscle, there’s a 375-hp 5.7-liter V8 option. and 410 B-ft of torque. Not enough for you? Well, there’s also a 6.4-liter V8 that puts out an impressive 485 hp. and 475 lb-ft of torque.

If you want something extremely high-performance, then the SRT Hellcat might be the car for you. This amazing car has a powerful 6.2-liter Hemi V8 supercharged engine that produces 717 hp. and 656 lb-ft of torque. Dodge takes things to the next level with the SRT Hellcat Redeye, bumping the power output up to a whopping 797 hp. and 707 lb-ft of torque. And if you’re not satisfied with your car’s power starting at 7, there’s the SRT Super Stock, which features a standard supercharged 6.2-liter high-performance Hemi V8 that produces a whopping 807 hp. and 707 lbs. ft. of torque. This enormous power of this car makes it a truly iconic muscle car.

Engine characteristics

2022 Dodge Challenger Engines

3.6-liter V6

5.7-liter V8

6.4-liter V8

Moving

3.6 liter

5.7 liter

6.4 liter

power

303 hp

375 hp

410 bit feet

A turning point

268 lb-ft

485 hp

475 lb-ft

8 Checked chassis and engines

2022 Dodge Challenger
Dodge

Another aspect that is really crucial for an American Muscle car is that these cars have to be reliable and have the ability to be modified. They should also be easy to work with. Although the chassis is quite old, it is a 20 year old W211 E Class chassis.

This is where the Challenger shines. Being built on the Chrysler LC and LA platforms, the Challenger benefits from a well-established and reliable vehicle platform. It also shares many components with the Charger, Magnum and Chrysler 300C, making it easy to maintain.

ON TOPIC: Here’s the one major downside to owning a Dodge Muscle Car

7 Challenger 2022 is produced in many configurations

Masks have never been associated with on-track performance. They were always about pure, raw speed. The SRT Super Stock is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.25 seconds and the quarter mile in just 10.5 seconds. This performance has undoubtedly helped the Dodge Challenger become the best-selling muscle car in 2022. This is one of the best standard drag cars. Even the slightly slower Redeye isn’t too bad, going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and through the quarter mile in 10.8 seconds.

Options and cost of the 2022 Dodge Challenger

Complete sets of the 2022 Dodge Challenger

MSRP

SXT

32,140 USD

GT

35,440 USD

R/T

40,980 USD

R/T Scat Pack

48,440 USD

R/T Scat Pack Widebody

54,435 USD

SRT Hellcat

66,825 USD

SRT Hellcat Widebody

72,825 USD

SRT Hellcat Redeye

80,940 USD

SRT Hellcat Widebody

87,340 USD

SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak

88,335 USD

SRT Super Stock

90,340 USD

6 The 2022 Dodge Challenger has exciting driving dynamics

2022 Dodge Challenger front view
Dodge

Although muscle cars are supposed to look old-fashioned, it is important that they keep up with the times. The 2022 Dodge Challenger offers an excellent driving experience with precise steering and handling. While it may not be the most agile car, the Challenger excels in straight-line acceleration that makes it a true American muscle car. The Challenger is also great for long journeys with advanced driver assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. When traveling, it can act as a large touring car.

5 The 2022 Dodge Challenger is available with a manual transmission

The interior of the 2022 Dodge Challenger
Dodge

Many people now think that the Dodge Challenger is not a true muscle car because of its practicality and driver assistance features. It’s just a car that looks like a muscle car, but it’s just another boring family sedan masquerading as a coupe. Well, that’s not true. First, it has all those massive engines mentioned. But more importantly, if you’re someone who’s looking for a real and impressive drive, there’s a model for you, equipped with an affordable six-speed manual gearbox. However, the manual transmission has its fair share of problems, so reliability is a hard sell. You can expect some slippage, rough shifting, or complete failure.

RELATED: Dodge Challenger AWD is the only muscle car built for winter

4 The 2022 Dodge Challenger is available with all-wheel drive

Exterior front corner of the 2022 Dodge Challenger
Dodge

Here’s a truth most people don’t want to know: Americans really love SUVs. This love for these massive cars is due not only to their size and practicality, but also to their four-wheel drive systems. Unlike many of Dodge’s main competitors, which don’t offer four-wheel drive options across their lineups, the Dodge Challenger offers standard rear-wheel drive with four-wheel drive capability, making it perfectly suitable for winter. This means it’s the perfect car for those who live in hilly or snowy terrain but want to drive in style. Dodge has found a mix between retro and modern.

3 The 2022 Dodge Challenger is a practical muscle car

2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat interior
via: Dodge

When you think of high-performance cars, a family car is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. People usually think of Ferrari and Lamborghini. However, a true muscle car isn’t just a performance car, it’s also a practical family vehicle. The Dodge Challenger has impressive roominess inside, especially in the back. It has quite a lot of legroom. Despite only having two doors, this car is easy to get in and out of, making it a solid option for small families.

2 The 2022 Dodge Challenger is an affordable muscle car

2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak Front View Quarter
Via: Dodge

A muscle car should also be affordable, in fact, for many of them, this is the main advantage. When it comes to affordability, the Dodge Challenger has it covered. Its base price is just $32,500. A mid-spec V8 will set you back around $50,000, while the insane 800bhp beast will only set you back $91,000. Even though the top price is approaching $100,000, you need to know that most cars with this much power under the hood cost several hundred thousand. But there are some caveats to owning a Challenger, with some hefty ownership costs.

RELATED: Old school vs. new school: America’s best muscle cars take to the track

1 Stayed true to its Muscle Car roots

The Mustang and Camaro may have moved away from the traditional muscle car look, style and feel, but the Challenger stayed the course. Although the Dodge Challenger’s reign is coming to an end, it remains the quintessential American two-door, with a roaring V8 up front, gas-guzzling rear-wheel drive and brutal performance – the epitome of true Americanness. muscle car

Sources: Dodge

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