2013 Dodge Challenger

Unlike its R/T and SRT siblings, the base Challenger comes with a humble V6 power unit and has 3 trim levels to choose from. Prices start at $27,290 for the base ‘SXT’ trim level and go up to $31,190 for the Rallye Redline trim level. The Challenger competes with the 2013 Ford Mustang V6, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, and the 2013 Nissan 370Z in the midsize coupe segment.

The 2013 Dodge Challenger is available in 3 trim levels with the base V6 powertrain unit. Other versions of the Challenger include the R/T and the SRT ones that come with the V8 engines. The 3 trim levels available for the Challenger are named SXT, SXT Plus, and Rallye Redline, respectively. The base SXT trim level is priced at a modest $27,290 and has a good number of standard features such as push-button ignition, premium cloth seats, manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel, brake assist, and rain brake support. The Rallye Redline has the same foundation as the SXT Plus, but it differs in terms of exterior and interior appearance. 

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The ‘SXT Plus’ trim level is a highly recommended trim level in the Challenger’s lineup as it offers some additional features over the SXT trim level at a price tag just below the $30,000 mark. These additional features made available add to the comfort and aesthetic appeal of the Challenger and make the trim a true value for money option in the lineup.

The 2013 Dodge Challenger comes with a 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 powertrain unit that puts out 305 hp and 268 lb-ft. of torque. Its power delivery seems much smoother and linear compared to the more powerful R/T and SRT versions that offer a V8. But the engine lacks punch when compared to the other cars in the segment and certainly needs tuning to amp up the throttle response.

The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission that does the job of transmitting the power to the rear wheels in a subtle and linear progression that feels comfortable but doesn’t go along with the looks of the Challenger. The Challenger can exhibit a performance figure of 144 mph as its top speed. It does a 0-60 mph pull in 6.8 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile in flat 15 seconds, which is slower than rivals. The overall handling feels sluggish as well and lacks the dynamic driving capability expected from a midsize coupe.

The Dodge Challenger isn’t available with a manual transmission, unlike its rivals, which explains the higher price tag. The race has been won by the 370Z from Nissan, which does the 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. In second place, the Chevrolet Camaro is rejoicing with 5.9 seconds required to finish the 0-60mph mark, whereas the Ford Mustang takes just 0.1 seconds more to do the same.

The word that explains the Challenger’s fuel economy would be ‘mediocre’. The Challenger offers a decent fuel economy for a car of its caliber, but it isn’t the best or worst in its segment when it comes to fuel economy. It delivers a fuel economy of 18, 27, and 21 MPG in the city, highway, and combined, respectively. It has a fuel tank capacity of 19.1 gallons, which is the largest in the segment.

The 2013 Ford Mustang V6 exhibits the best fuel economy figures in the segment, but its lower fuel tank capacity makes it offer a lesser fuel range compared to the Challenger. As compared to Challenger, the rival from Nissan returns 1 mpg less on the highway, while the opponent from Chevrolet does the complete opposite. Both Camaro and 370Z share the same fuel storing capacity.

The 2013 Dodge Challenger comes with some of the best-in-class interior components and quality standards. The overall design is distinctively Dodge and has some elements that it shares with its sibling from the Dodge stable, the Charger. The dashboard design layout is simple. The surface has a soft touch material to it and comes draped in Nappa leather if you opt for the higher trim levels. The dashboard seems less cluttered with buttons, and the steering wheel has leather upholstery along with tilt and telescopic adjustability. The heated front seats are only given on SXT Plus and higher trim. Nappa leather upholstery is standard on the SXT Plus and Rallye Redline trim levels, but Premium cloth is given on the base trim.

The driver seat has a 10-way power adjustment with 4-way power lumbar adjustability. Despite being a sporty midsize coupe, the seats are decently wide and don’t feel cramped, and the interior capacity in the front row is the best in class, making it the most comfortable car in the segment. The air conditioning unit has automatic temperature control. Surprisingly, the Challenger offers more second-row space in it when compared to its rivals which helps it double up the rear seats as additional storage spaces when needed.

Apart from the spacious cabin, the Dodge Challenger also offers the largest cargo capacity in the segment. The Nissan 370Z is the least spacious car in the segment and has a poor cargo capacity of 6.9 cubic feet, which is nearly 10 cubic feet less than what the Challenger offers. As for the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, both have nearly the same passenger volume. Some of the notable interior features are:

• Power 10-way driver’s seat including power 4-way lumbar adjust
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel 
• Premium Nappa leather-trimmed seats 
• Heated front seats
• Automatic temperature control 
• Push-button ignition
• Remote keyless entry

How intuitive is the 2013 Dodge Challenger’s infotainment unit?

Just like interior features and comfort, infotainment features are some of the Challenger’s highlights as it offers a mix of modest and premium features inside. The infotainment system is Dodge’s Uconnect 130 system that has inbuilt AM/FM radio and MP3 player. An optional 6.5-inch touchscreen and a 276w 6-speaker Boston Acoustics unit are given on the SXT Plus and further trims. SiriusXM satellite radio is an optional feature in the lower trims and is a standard one on the higher trim levels. Connectivity features onboard include AUX media input jack, USB port, and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. Some of the notable infotainment features are:

• 6-speaker sound system
• CD player
• 6.5-inch touch screen with navigation (optional)
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio (optional)
• USB Connectivity
• Bluetooth Connectivity (optional)
• Voice command (optional)

The exterior bodywork of the 2013 Dodge Challenger is arguably the best design when it comes to aesthetic appeal. The straight yet bold sidelines with the flat and modernistic grille portion add subtle yet powerful aesthetic appeal to the exterior. Dual bright exhaust tips are given on the backside to increase its sporty appeal. Moreover, 18-inch aluminum wheels are available with the base SXT trim level, while the higher trim options get 20-inch aluminum wheels. The dual automatic headlamps and the straight line tail lamp section all flow along with the design layout and seem to strike a sharp and powerful look from all angles. Fog lamps are given standard on the SXT Plus trim but a power sunroof is optional.

The Challenger is neither the lightest in weight nor the shortest in wheelbase when compared to its rivals. This poses a disadvantage when taking driving dynamics into concern but provides stability and ease of driving in straight lines. The Challenger is also the highest in height which helps add some headroom in the interior. On the other hand, the Nissan 370Z has the smallest exterior dimensions. As for the Chevrolet Camaro, its dimensions fit in between Challenger and Ford Mustang. Some of the notable exterior features are:

• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels (optional)
• 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels (optional)
• Power sunroof (optional)
• Functional twin hood scoops
• Power heated mirrors 

Being a sports midsize coupe also means that safety should be of top concern to keep the occupants inside safe all the time. The Challenger is one of the safest cars in its class, all thanks to the excellent engineering practices that went into its design and manufacturing. It gets an overall safety rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA. However, the 2013 model has not been tested by the IIHS. Along with the superb safety ratings, it brings in some necessities such as Hydraulic assist brake booster, hill start assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, knock-back mitigation, rear park assist, cruise control, and more. Some of the notable safety features are:

• Traction Control
• Cruise control
• ParkSense Rear Park Assist (optional)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Knockback mitigation
• Brake assist
• Rain brake support

The 2013 Dodge Challenger might not be the most powerful or dynamically exciting car in its class, but it offers best-in-class interior and cargo capacity along with some quality infotainment and interior features. It also manages to offer excellent safety ratings that promise the fact that money being spent is certainly put into use. However, if driving dynamics is your biggest concern, better options are available in the segment.