2021 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 and Super Stock 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 2021 Dodge Challenger adds a new high-performance Super Stock model packing an 807-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8—10 more than the Hellcat Redeye. Dodge says the Super Stock can accelerated 0-60 mph in 3.25 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds. The Super Stock is a successor to the 2018 Dodge Challenger Demon and is geared for drag racing with sticky, street-legal drag radial tires. Memory driver seat/steering wheel/mirrors/radio presets is now available for all models and 20-inch wheels are now standard on the AWD GT. 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 standard 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. There is also a 797-hp Hellcat Redeye and an 807-hp Super Stock. 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, along with Hellcat Redeye and Super Stock, are only offered with the 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available with the V6. The Hellcat, Hellcat Redeye, and Super Stock 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.