2012 Dodge Challenger

Basic Specs

Base Price $24,995
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 3834
City (MPG) 18
Hwy (MPG) 27
Horsepower 305@6350
Torque (lb-ft) 268@4800
Wheelbase 116.0
Length (in.) 197.7
Width (in.) 75.7
Height (in.) 57.1

The Dodge Challenger is the halo car for Chrysler 's most masculine car brand, and it embodies the brands' image of a tough and powerful muscle car like few cars could.

The Challenger is available in four major trim levels, with the first three levels - SE, R/T and R/T Classic - generally lumped in the same category, with the fourth, the SRT8, being put in a league of its own.

The lowest-priced Challenger is the SE, powered by Chrysler 's long-serving 3.5-liter V6 good for 250 horsepower and torque. It is mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic and rides on 215/65-16 size tires mounted on 16-inch alloy rims. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, as per the EPA.

Next in line is the R/T, powered by an updated version of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 also found in platform-mates Charger R/T and 300C, is the first modern Hemi car available with a manual transmission: a six-speed unit -- borrowed from the Viper -- with a pistol grip shifter reminiscent of the original Challengers from 35 years ago.

All 5.7-liter HEMIs recently got a bump in power via variable valve timing as well as a higher compression ratio, now 10.5 instead of 9.6. Power is rated at 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, and will return 16 city, 25 highway miles per gallon.

Both the R/T and the range-topping SRT8 models are available with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, but the five-speed automatic is standard.

The R/T version, although bringing less power to the table, weighs about 130 pounds less than the 425 horsepower SRT8. The rolling stock consists of 18-inch alloy wheels and high-performance tires, with a Classic R/T version getting unique 20-inch wheels and more styling hints to bring back memories of the original Challengers.

The latest model year also enjoys a special edition known as the R/T Classic Furious Fuchsia, which comes in a decidedly wild and loud fuchsia paint scheme.

Interior features for the Challenger include a standard CD/MP3 system with four speakers, and a six-speaker Boston Acoustics system standard on the upper-level R/T models. Lower trim models come with cloth bucket seats and eight-way power driver seat, while higher-trim models feature heated seats as well.

Safety features on all the rear-wheel drive Challengers includes ABS, ESP, brake assist, side airbags, traction control and tire pressure monitoring system among others. A hill start assist program holds the manual transmission-equipped car in place on inclines.

The modern Challenger was first unveiled in concept form at the auto show in Detroit in 2006. All Challengers are assembled at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario plant in Canada.

Key Competitors
Those interested in the Challenger will probably want to shop it against the other domestic pony cars, the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang , and might also be interested in sporty two-doors like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Nissan 370Z .

Similar Cars

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    • General
    • Body Style:Coupe
    • Size:Midsize
    • Market Segment:Standard
    • Weight:3834 lbs
    • Exterior
    • Length:197.7 in.
    • Width:75.7 in.
    • Height:57.1 in.
    • Wheelbase:116.0 in.
    • Ground Clearance:5.16 in.
    • Front Track:63.0 in.
    • Rear Track:63.1 in.
    • Weight Distribution:52.4/47.6
    • Drag Coefficient:0.360
    • Interior - General
    • Seats:5
    • Passenger Volume:91.5 cu. ft.
    • Cargo Volume:16.2 cu. ft.
    • Cargo Volume (Seats Folded):TBD
    • Interior - Front Row
    • Volume:55.8 cu. ft.
    • Leg Room:42.0 in.
    • Head Room:39.3 in.
    • Shoulder Room:58.2 in.
    • Hip Room:54.6 in.
    • Interior - Second Row
    • Volume:38.1 cu. ft.
    • Leg Room:32.6 in.
    • Head Room:37.4 in.
    • Shoulder Room:53.9 in.
    • Hip Room:48.6 in.
    • Propulsion
    • Fuel Type:Gas
    • Engine Type:3.6L V6
    • Power:305 hp @ 6350 rpm
    • Torque:268 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
    • Transmission:5-Speed Automatic
    • Highway Fuel Economy:27 mpg
    • City Fuel Economy:18 mpg
    • Forced Induction:None
    • Direct Injection:No
    • Chassis
    • Layout:Rear Wheel Drive
    • Front Suspension:Double Wishbone
    • Rear Suspension:Multi-Link
    • Wheels
    • Front:18" Aluminum
    • Front Tires:P235/55R18 BSW
    • Rear:18" Aluminum
    • Rear Tires:P235/55R18 BSW
    • Trailering & Hauling
    • Trailer Weight:1000 lbs
    • Payload:
    • Tongue Weight:TBD

  • $0

    Step 1 - Trim

    Style

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      SXT

      • 3.6L Pentastar® V6 w/+ 305 Horsepower and 27 hwy mpg+
      • 5-Speed AutoStick Transmission
      • 18-Inch Aluminum Wheels
      • All-Speed Traction Control
      • Chrome Fuel Door
      • Media Center w/ AM/FM Radio, CD Player and WMA/MP3 Jack
      • Touring Suspension
      • Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
      • Air Conditioning
      • Keyless Enter 'n Go™ System+

      Info
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      SXT Plus

      • Includes Everything on SE, Plus:
      • Nappa Leather-Trimmed Seats
      • Heated Front Seats
      • Fog Lamps
      • Automatic Headlamps
      • 1 Year of SiriusXM Satellite Radio+
      • 276-Watt Boston Acoustics Sound System +
      • Bluetooth Streaming Audio
      • Uconnect Voice Command w/ Bluetooth® Connectivity

      Info
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      R/T

      • Includes Everything on SXT, Plus:
      • 5.7L HEMI® V8 w/ 375 Horsepower+ and 25 mpg hwy+
      • TREMEC® 6-Speed Manual Transmission+
      • Anti-Spin Rear Differential
      • Performance Suspension and Steering
      • Body Color Rear Spoiler
      • Automatic Headlamps
      • Uconnect® Voice Command w/+ Bluetooth® Connectivity+

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      R/T Plus

      • Includes Everything on R/T, Plus:
      • TREMEC 6-Speed Manual Transmission+
      • 276-Watt Boston Acoustics® Sound System +
      • Nappa Leather-Trimmed Seats
      • Heated Front Seats
      • Security Alarm
      • HomeLink® Control for Garage Door,
      • Home Lighting and More
      • Body-Color Exterior Mirrors

      Info
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      R/T Classic

      • Includes Everything on R/T, Plus:
      • TREMEC® 6-Speed Manual Transmission+
      • 20-Inch Classic Forged-Aluminum Wheels
      • Classic Dual Side Stripes
      • Functional Hood Scoops
      • HID Headlamps
      • Dual R/T Side Stripes

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    Total Price:

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    Step 2 - Options

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    Exterior

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      Delete Spare Tire

      • Tire Service Kit

      Info
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    Exterior Colors

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      Blackberry Pearl Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

      Info
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      Pitch Black Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

      Info
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      Bright White Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Header Orange Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

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      Redline 3-Coat Pearl

      • N/A

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      Tungsten Metallic Clear Coat Exterior Paint

      • N/A

      Info
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    Interior

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      SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ 1-Year Radio Sunscription

      • Hear what a great car sounds like. With over 130 channels, SiriusXM Satellite Radio brings you more of what you love. You get 100% commercial-free music from nearly every genre, artist-dedicated channels and live performances you can't hear anywhere else. Hear the best sports coverage with live play-by-play and expert talk including every NFL® game, every NASCAR® race, college sports and more. The biggest and most compelling names in talk with Howard Stern and Martha Stewart, laugh-out-loud comedy with Jamie Foxx's The Foxxhole and Blue Collar Comedy, world-class news, family programming, local traffic & weather every 4 minutes and much more. And now you can add "The Best of XM" to your SiriusXM subscription and get even more amazing programming with Oprah Radio™, NBA and NHL® games, the 24/7 NHL Home Ice® and MLB® Home Plate™ channels, the PGA TOUR® Network, college sports, Opie & Anthony and much more. Now more than ever, Everything Worth Listening to Is on SiriusXM. Your first year of SiriusXM radio service is included. For more information call 1-888-539-SIRIUS (7474). SiriusXM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. SiriusXM Radio requires a subscription, sold separately after trial subscription included with vehicle purchase. Prices and programming are provided by SiriusXM and are subject to change. Subscriptions governed by SiriusXM Terms & Conditions available at sirius.com. Other fees and taxes apply. "The Best of XM" not available on all radios. SiriusXM Radio U.S. service only available in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico, to those at least 18 years of age. Service available in Canada; see www.siriuscanada.ca.

      Info
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      Uconnect Voice Command w/ Bluetooth

      • Communicate virtually hands-free with an in-vehicle, voice-activated system that allows you to talk using your Bluetooth®-compatible phone.

      Info
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    Interior Colors

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      Dark Slate Gray Interior Color

      • N/A

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    Powertrain

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      3.06 Rear Axle Ratio

      • A numerically lower axle ratio results in lower engine rpm and better fuel economy. A numerically higher ratio improves acceleration, climbing grades, carrying loads or pulling a trailer.
      • 215MM Rear Axle

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      Engine Block Heater

      • N/A

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    Packages

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      Sound Group

      • 276-Watt Amplifier
      • 6 Boston Acoustics® Speakers
      • All Boston Acoustics® sound systems offer the Boston Sound® , renowned for smooth tonal balance, natural frequency response, and distortion-free presentation, even at high volume. Opt for this 6-speaker system to hear sound audiophiles dream about.

      Info
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      Interior Appearance Group by Mopar

      • Bright Pedal Kit by Mopar®
      • Car Cover by Mopar®
      • Premium Floor Mats with Logo by Mopar®
      • T-Grip Shifter by Mopar® When equipped with automatic transmission.

      Info
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  • Step 3 - Get a Local Quote

    Now that you have determined the standard retail price of your ideal Dodge Challenger R/T, use our Dealer Price Quote tool to see if you can get a better deal!

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