While modern-day muscle cars from other automakers are getting most of the press, it looks like the Dodge Challenger is scoring with the people that really count: customers. In Edmunds.com‘s annual “Consumers’ Top Rated” listings, it was the Challenger that took home highest honors in the “Coupe under $25,000″ category, based on reviews provided directly by actual owners.
According to the Edmunds team, “Owners absolutely love the Challenger’s sinister look and bad boy attitude. Once they managed to catch their breath, consumer reviewers raved about the Challenger’s smooth ride, spacious interior and all-around comfort.”
Further, while noting that only the base Challenger qualifies for the “Under $25,000″ requirement, Edmunds is quick to point out that even in this model “nearly all of the cherished features from higher trim levels remain.”
Of course, that V6 is no slouch. The 3.5-liter High Output mill is good for 250 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque, providing a dynamic driving experience that takes full advantage of Challenger’s world-class suspension setup. On the other hand, yeah, this thing’s got a HEMI; in fact, Challenger offers two of them.
The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 puts up a powerful 372 horses and 400 lb.-ft. of twist, leveraging advanced technology like variable cam timing and dual ignition, which uses two spark plugs in each cylinder to increase peak power. The engine is also available with Dodge’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS). By deactivating four of the Challenger’s eight cylinders under certain situations, MDS provides improved fuel efficiency to go with all that power.
Then there’s the big boy: The 6.1-liter SRT HEMI V8 rocking a big-time 425 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, a high-performance camshaft, and cylinder heads that were specifically tailored to increase airflow and engine speed. This potent powerplant delivers the highest specific output ever seen from a naturally aspirated Challenger engine and pushes the car from 0-60 in under 5 seconds.
It’s a customer-satisfying package that Challenger rivals are having difficulty matching, too. Not only did buyers honor the Challenger in the Edmunds survey, but they also named it the “Most Appealing Mid-Size Sporty Car” in the J.D. Power & Associates APEAL Study, and ranked it No. 1 in the “Sporty Car” category of the AutoPacific “Ideal Vehicle Awards.”
The Mustang and Camaro just weren’t up to the Challenger.
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