2019 Dodge Challenger

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 models; 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: The 2019 Dodge Challenger replaces last year’s limited-production, 840-horsepower SRT Demon with a 797-hp Hellcat Redeye model that inherits some of the Demon’s hardware. There is also a new drag-focused 1320 Package for the R/T Scat Pack that Dodge says delivers a quarter-mile (1320 feet) elapsed time of 11.7 seconds at 115 mph. Plus, the SRT Hellcat’s Widebody Package is newly available on the R/T Scat Pack. 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 optional on the R/T Scat Pack. The ferocious Hellcat model has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that puts out a jaw-dropping 717 horsepower—up 10 from last year. The 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V8s, along with Hellcat offer a choice of 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmissions. The V6 models are only offered with the 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available with the V6. The Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye aren’t cheap, but they’re actually bargains 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.