Two of the auto industry’s most-watched third-party quality studies were released recently, with both taking decidedly different approaches to measuring customer satisfaction: The J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) puts its emphasis on the absolute number of problems reported by vehicle owners, while the Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) uses a more holistic strategy that seeks to determine how much owners “love” their vehicles. But here’s something the two do have in common: In each of them, the Dodge Challenger was the highest-rated vehicle in its class, beating out both the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro.
That’s not likely to change much in the future, either, since the Challenger was the recent beneficiary of a host of customer-satisfying upgrades for 2011, receiving both a new, comprehensively updated second-generation rear-wheel-drive architecture for world-class ride and handling, as well as a revised, race-inspired cabin that still offers the most room in its class. Today’s Challenger lineup now features three performance-oriented alternatives:
- Challenger SE, with an all-new Pentastar V6 that is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient than last year’s; the high-tech engine makes 305 hp (55 more than the Challenger’s previous V6) while achieving EPA ratings of up to 27 mpg highway (2 more than last year).
- Challenger R/T, offering enhanced HEMI-supplied power courtesy of a 5.7-liter V8 that can deliver 376 horses and race from 0-60 in less than six seconds.
- Challenger SRT8 392, boasting a massive 392-cubic-inch HEMI V8 that delivers a thundering 470 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to either a standard Tremec six-speed manual transmission or Dodge’s advanced five-speed automatic with Auto Stick manual-shifting capabilities; with the former combination, the Challenger SRT8 392 can rip off 0-60 runs in the high four-second range.
So when you’re ready for a high performer that challenges preconceived notions of muscle-car quality, the award-winning Dodge Challenger is ready for you.
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