Used 2022 Dodge Challenger

The 2022 Dodge Challenger is a national treasure. It represents that most American of automobiles — the muscle car. And it sure packs a lot of muscle.

Lower versions of this roomy Dodge coupe have a sturdy V6 under their hoods, able to create thrills and satisfying driving experiences. Once a V8 enters the equation, things get progressively hairier at a breathtaking rate, going from 372 horsepower to a daunting 807 horses in the SRT Super Stock, making it one of the most powerful production cars on the market.

Think of a Challenger not merely as a car, but also a statement, a life choice. This generation launched for the 2008 model year and it wasn’t noticeably cutting-edge back then. Now it’s like a classic that’s just come out of the factory with a full warranty.

Is a Dodge Challenger expensive to run? The V6 models aren’t bad, but V8 versions definitely use more fuel. At the Hellcat level, tires and brakes are going to take much more punishment than a typical car. And insurance premiums will be relativity high as well.

How fast is the most powerful Dodge Challenger? That’s the SRT Super Stock with 807 horsepower. It blasts from standstill to 60 mph in only 3.25 seconds.

Top speed is another matter, though. The SRT Super Stock is still mightily respectable at 168 mph, but the SRT Hellcat Redeye (no slouch, with 797 horsepower) is equipped to achieve 203 mph. The Super Stock’s standard drag-racing radial tires aren’t rated for such high speeds.

The supercharged V8 engines in these cars are extremely responsive to throttle inputs. Highly entertaining, but a misjudged flex of the right foot and the car could be heading for a storefront window before the driver remembers where the brake pedal is.

Over on Sanity Street, where the V6 models are revving, SXT and GT versions of the 2022 Challenger enjoy a more than adequate 303 horsepower. Only without the spine-tingling exhaust sounds.

In general, the Challenger is the least nimble of American muscle cars. It’s the biggest and heaviest. For rolling down those long straight desert roads with an elbow out, sunglasses on, singing along with ZZ Top on the stereo, nothing else seems quite so romantic (in the broader sense) as a Challenger. But this is all decidedly old-school.

As an American car with its roots in the turn of the millennium, few will be surprised that the 2022 Challenger has some cheap-n-shiny plastics in the cabin. Call them retro, like the rest of the styling.

Taking a different route than its rivals, the 5-passenger Challenger coupe has plenty of occupant space, even in the back. It’s a comfortable car for a road trip. The trunk takes a lot of luggage as well, measuring a generous 16.2 cubic feet. There is a substantial lift-over height, however.

Wide rear pillars hinder over-the-shoulder vision, so it’s a good idea to add blind-spot monitoring and the rear parking sensors when perusing the options. The new-for-2022 Jailbreak package offers specific choices of interior color schemes.

Instantly recognizable. Few vehicles can claim that attribute. It looks like a Hot Wheels car come to life.

Some versions have one hood scoop, others have two. Depending on the mode, color choices include Go Mango (a kind of orange), Hellraisin (purple) and Gold Rush. Alloy wheel sizes range from 18 to 20 inches. Buyers can also choose stripes and other graphics to personalize their new Challenger.

The Widebody versions, with their flared fenders and extra-wide tires, really accentuate the muscular aspect of this muscle car.

An SRT Black package is new this year. Available only with the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, this $695 bundle includes blacked-out exterior features, including gloss-black badges and black nickel exhaust tips.

The 2022 Challenger is also available with a Hemi Orange appearance package. Available on GT RWD and Scat Pack Widebody models, it includes orange tracer exterior accents along with orange outlines for the gray grille and fender badging. On the Scat Pack Widebody, the package also includes orange 6-piston Brembo brakes. Inside, orange stitching appears on the instrument panel, door panels, steering wheel, and shift boot.

The Hemi Orange appearance package costs $2,995 with the GT RWD Challengers (because it includes the Performance Handling Package) and $1,500 with the Scat Pack Widebody models.

The Jailbreak package has its own selection of stripes and brake caliper colors.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
This might run counter to the rear-drive muscle-car ethos of the Challenger, yet all-wheel drive works well in a couple of ways. It provides reassurance in tricky conditions and allows the car to be more of a year-round prospect. And it contributes to grip and traction in the dry. Neither the Mustang nor the Camaro offer all-wheel drive.

SRT HELLCAT REDEYE
Buying a 717-horsepower performance car for about $63K is something of a bargain. There are Challenger models with greater power, but how often can a driver even get to explore the potential of this version, let alone the bigger guns?

Starting with the rear-drive SXT model, the 2022 Challenger has 18-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery with a cool houndstooth pattern, 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

The infotainment system includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, voice control, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a 6-speaker audio setup.

Although many new cars have forward-collision warning as standard, this and a few other driver aids are only optional in the Dodge Challenger.

As mentioned, the SXT and next-up GT trims offer all-wheel drive. Getting deeper into the 2022 Challenger range brings more powerful engines, upgraded Brembo brakes, limited-slip differentials, active exhaust systems, launch control, Widebody packages, larger alloy wheels, configurable driving modes, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite radio, and 276-watt Alpine audio system.

The SRT models have the awesome power, plus an adaptive suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The whole range qualifies for a Driver Convenience Group options bundle that includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, remote start, and rear parking sensors. This package also includes the new upgraded alarm that’s standard from the R/T Scat Pack model and up.

The Technology Group bundle brings rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control (only in cars with an automatic transmission). The SRT Hellcat Redeye and Super Stock are ineligible for these last two features.

The Jailbreak package costs $995 and includes the 807-horsepower supercharged V8.

Other options include Nappa leather/simulated suede (Alcantara) upholstery, and an 18-speaker/900-watt Harman Kardon audio system. The GT and R/T versions are also eligible for a performance suspension, Brembo brakes, and a limited-slip differential. SRT models offer a rear seat delete option.

Four engines, along with three outputs from the supercharged V8. These are the propulsion choices in the 2022 Challenger.

The SXT and GT models have a 3.6-liter V6 running on regular gasoline, generating 303 horsepower and linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, but these are the only Challenger variants to offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD).

The R/T has a 5.7-liter V8 developing 375 horsepower with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, or 372 horsepower with the optional 8-speed automatic. Dodge recommends premium gas with the manual and mid-grade (89-octane) gas with the automatic. From here on out, it’s premium all the way.

A 6.4-liter V8 endows the R/T Scat Pack with 485 horsepower. Once again, a 6-speed manual transmission is standard and an 8-speed automatic is optional.

Dodge employs a supercharger (a form of forced induction, similar to a turbocharger) with the 6.2-liter V8 in the top three Challenger models. The SRT Hellcat thrums with 717 horsepower, the SRT Hellcat Redeye vibrates with 797 horsepower, and the SRT Super Stock blurs the lines to the space/time continuum with 807 horsepower.

Thrillingly, the SRT Hellcat comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, offering the option of an 8-speed automatic that becomes standard in the Redeye and Super Stock.

Assuming a potential Challenger buyer, especially one with a V8, isn’t bothered by concerns over fuel economy, then no one will balk at the EPA figures given below. At least the V6 does quite well.

3.6-liter V6 (SXT, GT)
303 horsepower @ 6,350 rpm
268 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/30 mpg (RWD), 18/27 mpg (AWD)

5.7-liter V8 (R/T)
372 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm (automatic)
375 horsepower @ 5,150 rpm (manual)
400 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm (automatic)
410 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm (manual)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25 mpg (automatic), 15/23 mpg (manual)

6.4-liter V8 (R/T Scat Pack)
485 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
475 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/24 mpg (automatic), 14/23 mpg (manual)

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (SRT Hellcat)
717 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
656 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/22 mpg (auto), 13/21 mpg (manual & Widebody)

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (SRT Hellcat Redeye)
797 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
707 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/22 mpg (auto), 13/21 mpg (manual Widebody)

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (SRT Super Stock)
807 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
707 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/22 mpg, 13/21 mpg (Widebody)