2021 Dodge Challenger Review

Name: 2021 Dodge Challenger Review
Brand: Dodge

Price Range: $19,935 - $85,978

Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Coupe Exterior Shown

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe Exterior Shown

+534

The Challenger concedes points to rivals when it comes to interior refinement and sporty driving dynamics. But drivers who value comfort and utility will likely prefer the Dodge.

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2021 Dodge Challenger Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

Pros

Several V8 engine choices
Roomy enough cabin for four adults
Many trim levels and options allow for customization
Pretty comfortable ride compared to its muscle car rivals

Cons

Large and heavy with cumbersome handling
Rear visibility is somewhat compromised
Unlike main rivals, it's not available as a convertible

What's new

New SRT Super Stock trim promises improved drag-strip performance
R/T Scat Pack Shaker and T/A 392 available with Widebody package
Minor trim and feature changes
Part of the third Challenger generation introduced for 2008

Overview

No automaker stretches the life of a vehicle quite like Dodge. The brand has asked its two-door muscle car, the Challenger, to soldier on into its 14th year of production since this generation debuted for the 2008 model year. How do you keep such an aging vehicle relevant? By blowing the doors off the competition with horsepower. Three versions of the Challenger boast more than 700 horsepower, and two more offer very substantial V8 engines. Even base Challengers pack a decently strong V6.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Dodge Challenger SXT 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$153/mo

$187/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Dodge has also done a nice job of keeping the Challenger fresh with continual updates. This year there's the new SRT Super Stock. It comes with many of the same drag-racing-oriented upgrades as the limited-edition Demon from 2018, such as special Nitto tires and special suspension tuning. But it's also safely detuned and decontented — it's only cranking out 807 hp — to avoid usurping the famed Demon. Also on tap for 2021 expanded availability of the Widebody treatment, which you can now get on the Scat Pack Shaker and T/A 392.

On top of this you get a spacious cabin, the biggest trunk in its class, and a robust infotainment system. At the end of the day, this muscle car is about giving you hair-raising thrills a quarter-mile at a time. But it can also serve as the coolest comfortable commuter on your block.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The Challenger concedes points to rivals when it comes to interior refinement and sporty driving dynamics. But drivers who value comfort and utility will likely prefer the Dodge.

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Challenger drive? The Challenger is always a hoot to drive. With the 6.4-liter V8, power is readily available in any gear at almost any speed. We tested the R/T Scat Pack Widebody with the manual transmission. Zero to 60 mph took just 4.9 seconds at the Edmunds test track. It's properly quick but slower than other modern muscle cars by a few tenths. Braking is strong. Our test Challenger stopped from 60 mph in 105 feet, a short distance for such a big vehicle.

The Dodge's beefy size makes in-town maneuvering a bit tough, but it's a champ out on the open road. The Challenger is pretty capable on curvy roads too. Well, as long as you don't try driving it like a nimble sports car. Its mass and weight become readily apparent if you try to drive quickly through tight turns.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Challenger? Our tester, with the Widebody package, had a stiffer adaptive suspension than even the standard R/T Scat Pack, but it didn't ruin the ride. Highway ride quality is very good, and seat comfort is near the top of the class. A relatively quiet cabin helps make this a nice place to be for long rides.

Dual-zone climate control is standard on the R/T and it maintains the desired cabin temp well. The climate is controlled via the touchscreen or knobs and buttons directly behind the shifter. Our test car had the optional heated and ventilated front seats. The seat heating works well, but the ventilation could be more effective.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Challenger is a king among the muscle coupes in passenger and cargo space. It's far more practical than its crosstown competition and has the roomiest cabin in the segment. The rear seat isn't quite fit for all sizes, but it's far bigger than competitors' back seats and offers three seats versus two.

Outward visibility is generally poor, but that's typical for the segment. The blind spots over both shoulders are significant, and the windshield pillars obstruct forward sightlines more than average. A large-display rearview camera and blind-spot monitoring help considerably, but the camera quality is low.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? This is one of the best plug-and-play systems out there. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto accompany the Challenger's already user-friendly Uconnect system. It's very easy to use with multiple solutions for the same commands. But the interface looks a bit dated compared to those in the rest of the class.

The voice controls use an easy-to-learn structure and accept basic commands for the audio, navigation and hands-free calling. Connecting your smartphone makes things even more familiar. The Driver Convenience package adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. They worked well during our test without false alerts.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? Big American coupes aren't exactly perfect examples of utility, but the Challenger leads the class easily in this category. The trunk opening is large, and its capacity blows the class away with a midsize-sedan-like 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seatbacks fold in a 60/40-split for extra utility.

There's decent small-item storage throughout the cabin, but the cupholders are right behind the gearshift, which is somewhat problematic with a manual transmission. The door pockets are small, with small bottle holders up front. In coupes this size, space is at a premium, but the Challenger uses what it has relatively well.

Fuel Economy

5.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 6.4-liter V8 is 17 mpg combined. That's one of the lowest ratings in the segment, even before you add the Widebody package. The wide tires add rolling resistance as well, making real-world fuel economy even lower. In our testing, we struggled to even meet the EPA's city estimate of 14 mpg.

Value

7/10

Is the Challenger a good value? The Challenger offers decent equipment for the money. The 6.4-liter engine is appropriately priced against other V8 upgrades in the class. The Widebody package adds big bucks to the price tag, but the resulting wheel, tire and suspension upgrades — not to mention the enhanced visual swagger — make it worth it.

The Challenger's interior build quality is solid, but the quality of the materials becomes less appealing the higher you go up the trim ladder. By the time you're into Hellcat territory, it'll be obvious that you're paying for a big motor, not an exquisite interior design.

Wildcard

9/10

The Challenger, especially with the Widebody package, is an American muscle car with a heaping helping of personality. It'll put a massive smile on your face every time you drive it. It's also surprising how well the car's styling has aged considering that the car has been around for more than a decade without a full redesign.

Which Challenger does Edmunds recommend?

It gets overshadowed by the brutish 700-plus-horsepower trims above it, but the R/T Scat Pack is a remarkable muscle car for its price. Of course, it introduces the potent 6.4-liter V8 engine to the lineup. But it also brings key improvements to the brakes, suspension and even the infotainment system that make the Challenger both more agile and more livable.

2021 Dodge Challenger models

The Challenger comes in five main trim levels: SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat. But within those trims you have a range of choices ahead of you. All-wheel drive is available on the SXT and GT trims. The R/T and SRT Hellcat trims offer a number of increasingly powerful engines and performance upgrades.

SXT
The base trim starts with:

3.6-liter V6 engine (303 horsepower, 268 lb-ft of torque)
Eight-speed automatic transmission
18-inch wheels (19-inch on AWD models)
Uconnect 4 infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Six-speaker audio system
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver's seat
60/40-split folding rear seats

GT
Turns up the sportiness with the following:

Remote start system
Foglights
20-inch wheels
Performance steering
Performance suspension
Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
Upgraded cloth seats
Rear parking sensors

R/T
Similarly equipped as the GT but comes with:

5.7-liter V8 engine (372 hp, 400 lb-ft with the eight-speed automatic transmission or 375 hp, 410 lb-ft with the six-speed manual)

R/T Scat Pack
Boosts the Challenger's performance with:

6.4-liter V8 engine (485 hp, 475 lb-ft)
Eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
Launch control
Brembo performance brake system
High-performance suspension
Xenon headlights
Heated steering wheel and heated front seats
Uconnect 4C infotainment system with 8.4-inch touchscreen
Premium six-speaker audio system
Configurable drive modes
Scat Pack-specific exterior styling details

SRT Hellcat
As aggressive as it sounds, the Hellcat adds:

Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine (717 hp, 656 lb-ft of torque)
Eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
Larger six-piston Brembo brakes
Unique front grille
Adaptive suspension dampers
Wider performance tires
Flat-bottom steering wheel
SRT Hellcat exterior and interior badges

The SRT Hellcat Redeye pushes the Challenger further into the world of ludicrous power with:

Upgraded 6.2-liter V8 engine (797 hp, 707 lb-ft)
Eight-speed automatic transmission only
Upgraded SRT Power Chiller engine cooling
Exterior and interior SRT Hellcat Redeye badges

The SRT Super Stock takes the street-legal drag racer theme even further with:

Further upgraded 6.2L V8 engine (807 hp, 707 lb-ft)
18-inch wheels
Nitto NT05R tires
Widebody package
Brakes from the R/T Scat Pack
Exterior and interior SRT Super Stock badges

A Widebody package is available for the R/T Scat Pack and Hellcat models that adds:

Wider wheels and tires
Fender flares
Special suspension tuning with adaptive dampers
Six-piston Brembo brakes (R/T Scat Pack)

There's also a huge array of other option packages and customization features available. Some allow you to add select features from the higher trims to the lower trims as options. Other highlights include:

T/A package (special interior and exterior styling)
Technology group (adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning)
Driver Convenience group (blind-spot monitoring among other features)
Blacktop package (blacked-out styling details)
Leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats
Harman Kardon and Alpine premium sound systems

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#25 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Dodge Challenger from 2008-2022.}

$534/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.83x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

16.4%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Dodge Challenger.

5 (81%)

4 (6%)

3 (3%)

2 (3%)

1 (7%)

4.5

31 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Brawny muscle with road presence

MangoMaggie, 08/25/2021

2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody 2dr Coupe (6.4L 8cyl 6M)

Wow, this car is a handful. I have the Scatpack Widebody in Go Mango, and it gets SOME LOOKS! It's big, it's bold, it's powerful. How does it drive? The adaptive suspension is great, although the Track Mode doesn't get as stiff as I would like. The big 305 tires will grip for days, despite the car's 4,250lbs, so it handles nicely. The adjustable steering is perfect because I don't …

Style, Power, Price and value for the dolar.

Sugar Land Bill, 03/02/2021

2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 2dr Coupe (6.4L 8cyl 6M)

I traded a 2012 Challenger RT Classic (owned 9 years and 2 months) for a 2021 Scat Pack Challenger. I liked my old car so much that when I thought it was time to get a new one, I did, another Challenger. You will not find a muscle car that is a smooth and quite, yet fast and powerful as a Challenger. Yes, a Mustang and Camaro will be faster, but they will not look as nice or be as …

All this and snow capable?

Bleepard4, 04/20/2021

2021 Dodge Challenger GT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I had a 2013 RT Classic for over 5 years and I loved it. However, it was not very drivable in the snow. So, this year, I decided to get a 2021 GT with AWD. I was apprehensive about the V6 but, it does have 300HP after all. Although I’ve only had it a few weeks now, I really love this car. The V6 runs great and has plenty of power for a daily driver. I do love fast acceleration, and this …

So much power packed in style!

keisonrocks, 04/17/2021

2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 2dr Coupe (6.4L 8cyl 6M)

We just purchased a brand new 2021 R/T Scat Pack and couldn't be happier! We had been looking for a while since we wanted a manual transmission, which are hard to come by these days. Now a manual is referred to as the "millennial theft deterrent system" since younger people don't know how to drive a stick. The amount of power this 392 packs is amazing! 485 horsepower is nothing to play …

See all 31 reviews of the Dodge Challenger

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2021 Challenger Highlights

Type:

Coupe

Trim:

SXT

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$28,870
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$153/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Challenger models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring: Illuminates a light on either of the Challenger's side mirrors when a vehicle enters its blind spot.
Forward Collision Warning: Helps prevent collisions by sounding an alert when the Challenger detects an imminent impact.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Sounds a warning if a vehicle is approaching the Challenger from the side while it's backing into traffic.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Marginal
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Acceptable
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Acceptable

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2021 Dodge Challenger Review

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2021 Dodge Challenger Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Dodge Challenger SXT 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Challenger does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Dodge Challenger models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Brawny muscle with road presence

Style, Power, Price and value for the dolar.

All this and snow capable?

So much power packed in style!

2021 Challenger Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Dodge Challenger SXT 2dr Coupe (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}