Review: 2009 Dodge Challenger

Muscle cars are back, and though their timing couldn’t be much worse, there’s no denying how much fun they are. New versions of Ford's Mustang, Chevy’s Camaro and Dodge’s Challenger have all made their debuts, and now the fight is on to see which is going to claim the crown. Consider this, then, Round 1 of the fight.

The week I spent with the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T was one of the most fun and satisfying weeks I’ve had with a car, and I do this for a hobby as well as a living. The combination of the 375hp (280kW) Hemi, the pistol-grip six-speed and the retro-modern styling is plain intoxicating.
That’s not to say it’s all peachy-keen when it comes to the finer points, but as an overall experience, it's easy to understand the whole muscle car thing, and it gets me.
Styling and Exterior
The styling of the Dodge Challenger is by this point no surprise to anyone - blanketed across the internet and television during its debut year when only SRT8 versions were available, those with our heads in the car world have pretty much grown accustomed to it by now. But out on the street, wow, this car draws looks, honks, thumbs-up and friendly smiles.

And it’s American. And it’s not a Corvette or a classic.

The aggressive styling is a hit with men and women alike, especially middle-American salt-of-the-earth types - in short, the most likely buyers. Inside, the car is similarly big and bold, though it lacks the character of the exterior.

Plain black surfaces and materials shared with the Charger, chunky yet effective switchgear and very simple lines leave a lot on the table, but on the other hand, it gets the job done and doesn’t detract from the experience.

Some of the most comfortable seats anywhere, short of Chrysler’s SRT8 offerings - which approach La-Z-Boy comfort despite their bolsters - are found up front. The rear seats leave a lot to be desired for those with legs below their knees, but are perfectly suitable for children and smaller adults.
Technical
Firing up the engine rewards all within earshot with a rumble and bark as the computer revs the engine to about 2,000rpm. The 5.7L Hemi V8, though not a true Hemi in the sense of having perfectly hemispherical combustion chambers, is still a very American-sounding and feeling engine. A low 6,250rpm redline makes for quick runs through the gears, and the abundant low-end torque makes every last rev enjoyable.

The interior is a bit cave-like with all the black leather and plastic, but it's very comfortable Flicking through the gears is easy once you get accustomed to the pistol-grip shifter, part of the Track Pak along with an LSD. It’s canted at a natural angle to make it fall easily to hand, and the index-finger notch makes it easy to grab quickly under hard acceleration. The action of the shifter is a bit heavier than a sports car’s, and it’s definitely notchy by most standards, but it has little slop or play and shifts can be made confidently once its quirks are learned.

A 1st-4th gear skip-shift feature engages at part throttle and low speed, making around-towning easy and, fitting with the overall theme of the vehicle, comfortable. When you want to spice things up a bit, however, it shifts in a traditional H-pattern.

Put the boot to it and the rears will light up with ease, though it’s a totally controllable motion thanks to the very effective and even-tempered rear differential. The big, sticky rubber certainly doesn’t hurt though it might cause some pain in the hip region when going into the shop to replace the rapidly balding rears -our car was outfitted with the 20in optional wheels. Those sporting the stock 18in units need not fear the burnouts as much.
On the Road
Driving around town with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) off, or as near off as you can get it on the R/T is a riot. The car really comes alive taking off from a dead stop, and thereby betrays its drag racing heritage. But straight-line speed isn’t all this big car has.

I say big car, but that’s really an understatement. Until you’ve seen, been in and driven one of these cars it’s hard to appreciate how massive they really are. Tall, wide, long and heavy, when you get behind the wheel, you feel the sheer bigness of the thing.

But along with that bigness of size comes a hugeness of grip. The steering feel isn’t the most engaging or informative, but with a big enough set of balls and a heavy right foot, you can point this big machine into a corner at speeds that would make a true sports car blush. It’s not going to navigate the twisty bits like a sports car, but it’ll go as fast as you’ve got the guts to, and well beyond the posted speed limits.

Accents all over the car, like this hood vent and Hemi logo, draw the eye and maintain interest in the design The Challenger R/T really shines in gut-busting straight-line acceleration though, and in many ways it might even be a better car than the SRT8 in this regard. While the 50hp-stronger 6.1L Hemi might be the version you’d seek out for the track, it’s a handful in just about any application, and more than most people would want to drive on a daily basis. Not to mention that getting the best times out of it requires (completely) disabling the traction control and exhibiting some fine skills with your right foot. All of these things come together to make the R/T a really well-balanced offering, and preferable to the SRT8, especially considering the price differential.

The one area I’d improve on is the braking. With a car this big and this fast, the last thing you want is that puckering moment where you’re not sure you can stop in time. More initial bite and shorter stopping distances can be cured with a pad upgrade, however, or a big brake kit for those really concerned with the stoppers.
Equipment and Features
The Challenger R/T delivered to my door came with optional 20in wheels, which fit the car perfectly. Frankly, the 18in alloys standard to the R/T model look a bit smallish in proportion to the rest of the car. The cost of replacing those 20in summer tires will be no small pain in the backside, however, should you decide the upgrade is a good idea.

Inside, the R/T’s minimalist design mates well with the car’s purpose, though its modern navigation system is a welcome addition. Touchscreen nav and easy-to-use audio controls make for a highly functional, if somewhat basic, appliance. The screen’s resolution is low and the software is beginning to look a bit dated, however. Definitely time for an upgrade.

Though the Track Pak in our car meant no fuel-saving multi-displacement system (MDS) was included, it’s not missed much as fuel economy stayed between 16-20mpg in town and around 24mpg on the highway. Not econo-box figures, but just fine for all the horsepower you’ve got on tap. There are smaller, less powerful cars that do much worse.

The center stack is highly functional if a bit dated Turn on the satellite radio, slip into the morning commute and relax. The comfy seats, solidly bassy stereo output and easy-driving nature of the R/T make the car feel surprisingly practical.

There’s not a lot to say about the car’s equipment and features, because frankly, there’s not much in the way of equipment or features. It’s a muscle car. Drive it.
Final Verdict
In spite of myself, I really like the Challenger. I came into my week with the car expecting a big, unwieldy anachronistic pig, and found myself in a larger-than-life muscle car for the modern era. You owe it to yourself to check one of these out, even if you don’t think you’ll like it, because you might be pleasantly surprised.

Even if you come away from the Challenger R/T without being converted into a fan, you’ll have a new-found respect for the Dodge brand, and Chrysler in general. Things have really changed in the last 5-10 years.

At a list price approaching $38,000, the car’s no bargain. With current incentives and cash-back offers, you can get that price down to about $31,000 set up just like this test car - an altogether more reasonable price, but still a bit on the high side, especially up against the new Camaro and Mustang, or even the Nissan 370Z. If you can get past the price, however, you’re probably already hooked on the image and the sound.

We'll have to wait for Ford and General Motors to hand us the keys to their new muscle cars before we can pass judgment as to the new king of the hill, but if you really want to know what I think about the Challenger R/T, you’ll have to find yourself a six-speed-equipped car, turn off the traction control, stomp on the gas and just smile.