2017 Dodge Challenger | Consumer Guide Auto

2017 Dodge Challenger R/T Plus

Pros: Classic muscle-car attitude; large size means a relatively spacious trunk and back seat; broad range of special appearance options; amazing acceleration of Hellcat model; available all-wheel drive

Cons: Too large and heavy to feel as agile as it looks; fuel economy in V8 models; low roofline and high door sills cause a closed-in feel

CG Says: Dodge Challenger adds three new models for 2017. T/A Plus and T/A 392 have performance features and styling cues from SRT Hellcat and R/T Scat Pack models. The T/A Plus has a 375-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, while T/A 392 has a 485-hp 6.4-liter (392 cubic inches) V8. An all-wheel drive model will be added during the winter. The Challenger GT AWD comes with an all-wheel-drive system shared with Dodge Charger. All GTs have a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Cars with 5.7-liter V8s get an active exhaust system. All Challengers now have an updated Uconnect operating system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Challenger is an interesting player in the sporty/performance car segment. The big coupe is too big and heavy to be truly agile, but this is still a more-than-capable performance machine. That size does pay dividends in the form of a surprisingly smooth ride and excellent passenger and cargo room. Admittedly, these might not be the first things buyers of these cars put on their wish lists, but this is a good choice if you want something fun that you can also take on a cross-country road trip. Safety features include forward-collision warning, blind-spot alert, and adaptive cruise control. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6. A 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is the next step up. A 6.4-liter V8 is in “392” models. Topping the range is the ferocious Hellcat model with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that puts out a jaw-dropping 707 horsepower. The Hellcat isn’t cheap, but it’s actually something of a bargain when measured against other ultra-performance cars. There are plenty of sporty coupes that feel more modern and nimble than the Challenger lineup, but few that can match its retro-muscle-car attitude and broad range of performance and appearance options.

The Facts

Class	Sporty/Performance Car
Body Style(s)	2-door coupe
Passenger Count	5
Drive Wheels	rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer	Dodge
Nation of Manufacture	Canada
Base Prices	SXT: $26,995 SXT Plus: $29,995 AWD GT: $33,395 R/T: $32,890 R/T Plus: $35,890 R/T Shaker: $36,890 R/T Plus Shaker: $39,890 R/T Scat Pack: $37,995 T/A Plus: $40,140 T/A 392: $44,995 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker: $42,795 SRT 392: $51,290 SRT Hellcat: $62,495