2019 Dodge Challenger

The showstopper is expected to be introducing itself with some upgrades this year and is as thrilling in its AWD layout as in RWD. In 2019, the Dodge Challenger is in two shades of variants namely the SXT and GT with a starting price of $29,590. The fierce battle of this machinery is in continuation with the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and BMW 2 Series 230i within a competitive price range.

The Dodge Challenger has been given two facets in its trim availability with the SXT and GT. Both the trims can be availed of with either RWD or AWD. The SXT being finance-friendly costs you nearly $2500 less with the same V-6 powertrain unit. Moreover, the SXT trim gets the 18" x 7.5" Cast Aluminum Wheels whereas the elder sibling GT gets the 20" x 8.0" Granite Crystal Aluminum Wheels. The SXT and GT both have rear lip spoilers for improving the drag dynamics with increased downforce. The GT trim has been given the extension of Touring Suspension connected to its wheel which keeps a check on the ride height even at high-speed maneuvering.

Apart from the variations, the Challenger in common gets the ParkSense Assist and the Hill Hold Control as a standard. The identical nature is followed in the safety and stability prowess with the Roll Stability and Electronic Stability to manage the toppling and weight transferring. The interior is congruent to its symbol as one gets Voice Command and UConnect along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. From the comfort point of view, one is exposed to the Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning and Underseat Ducts for ventilation purposes.

Which Trim should you buy in the 2019 Dodge Challenger?

If there has to be only one choice to be made between the SXT and GT, then SXT would be a better investment as it hardly has any stark difference from the latter in terms of performance output and interior tech-ends. Not just that, both of them have the same stability controls, G-Force push, and safety nudges on the whole. Therefore, the SXT will let you save some which can be further used in the additional packages if you wish.

The Dodge is a drag-oriented brand for many of its models. The Challenger can also be marked on the same scale with its 3.6L V-6 which is as quick as to cover a quarter-mile within 9.9 seconds. Further adding to that, it has one of the best pick-ups among the rivals with 4.2 seconds ticking to reach 60mph from a standstill. All these are achievable with 305 hp of power at 6350 RPMs and 268 lb-ft of torque at 4800 RPMs. This powertrain pack is coupled with an 8-Speed Automatic transmission in either RWD or AWD. Though the figures are impressive, they could have been even more improved with a smaller rev-band curve for the same outputs. 

The comparison among all of them drives us to gauge the Dodge Challenger as the most inspiring with its demonic acceleration and top speed altogether. The Camaro could have taken the spot but it is relatively underappreciated in its quarter-mile cover. On the other hand, the BMW 2 Series is a disappointment in its performance graph for the sheer price tag at which it is offered. Therefore, it is safe to sway towards the Challenger with no hesitation but considering the Camaro in the scene as well.

How well does the 2019 Dodge Challenger handle?

The Dodge Challenger’s lower center of gravity, front-rear anti-roll bars, and touring suspension are quite supportive to one another. As a result, it has a marginal rollover risk percentage of just 11%. Then comes the Electronic Stability Control, so one can relax when it is a matter of body leaning. The wheels are also wide enough to have a parabolic contact patch on the road which is an asset in itself. 

The EPAS is responsive and the feedback one gets via it makes the implementation at one’s end pretty clear. The weight is something that needs a revisit as it is sumptuously costing its desirable handling. Therefore, one can be assured to have a grip around the corners and along the straight line but weight reduction of at least 300 pounds is a must to be a cornerstone in the segment.

2019 Dodge Challenger Braking Performance

Since the speed can go up to 190 mph so there is a necessity for an equivalent braking system and extensions to resist the wilderness within. Although the data for the 60-0 mph braking travel is not available, 173 ft of the same for the 70-0 mph can draw a conclusion that it might not be a disappointing one. The Challenger has been given the same 12.6” of rotors in the front and rear. The 4-wheel ABS vented discs are efficient enough in dispensing heat after braking is released. On top of that, it has Brake Assist that can add up the little touch it needs.

The braking distance for all is well within the limits. The BMW 2 Series has an edge over others with just 80 ft of travel on paper. This is simply due to a lower forward weight transfer, where the Dodge Challenger is expected to be struggling. It is followed by the Camaro and Mustang respectively. The Mustang has mirror-image brake rotor dimensions as that of the Challenger but is relatively lighter, hence we can expect the travel for the latter to be near about 100 ft.

Fuel economy is important when you can’t be knowingly indifferent to the fuel crisis. As far as this aspect is concerned, the Challenger may appear to be lagging behind others as it tends to deliver 19 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highways, and 23 mpg overall. The mileage does go even lower with the AWD drive layout to 18/27/21 mpg. But a relatively bigger fuel tank gives it a stretch of up to 425 miles on average which is one of the segment leaders. The 3.6L might not be as economy-friendly as its performance curve yet the prospect of long-range exhilaration is affirmed in it.

As per the database, 230i is the segment leader. Its sluggishness in acceleration has paid off with its practicality in this domain. The fuel tank size of 230i could have been given an increment for shrugging off the refueling status. Behind it, are the Camaro and Mustang with a comparable mileage out of their comparable engine capacity. But the Camaro with a 19 gallons fuel tank has the segment-leading range of 437 miles. The Challenger ranks at the bottom with an impressive range altogether.

The Dodge Challenger has never been off the mark when it comes to the interior and its accents. Thus, it is obvious for any one of us, who has been following since its inception, to expect nothing less. Well, the power-assist seating height adjustments with leather touch on the steering wheels take care of the ease and feel respective. The cushioning and snuggling get to another level with the Houndstooth Cloth Performance Seats. The temperature control is systematized by the Dual Zone Automatic Air Conditioning. In the end, the shifter can have either a leather or metal finish on top of it as per taste.

The seating position is simply a comfort inside the Challenger and the 230i follows the same path. The seating posture and visibility are also commendable for the former. Ergonomics and space management bring new dimensions in their overall perspective. It also offers a maximum cargo volume of 16.2 cubic feet. If one has to look at the grotesque one in the segment then Camaro could be easily spotted with undesirable numbers on its badging. Some of the interior features in the 2019 Dodge Challenger are:

• Power- Assist Height Adjustments for seats
• Dual-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning
• Houndstooth Cloth Performance Seats
• Day-Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
• Full Cloth Headliner
• Power Cargo Access

 What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2019 Dodge Challenger?

The Dodge Challenger has got plenty of entertainment packs to be as expressive as it can be. The Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and UConnect have been integrated into it as it is. The standard norms include the 7” display unit and 6-Speaker Audio Set. Apart from these, one gets access to Bluetooth Connectivity and Voice Commands. The circumference of this unit does not end here as it entails Radio Data System and Voice Activation. 

The Radio with Seek-Scan feature and the Speed Compensated Volume are among the standards which are there in almost all the vehicles and the Challenger has it too. One may not be content and would ask for some more than the available ones. But on the whole, it is sufficient in terms of its offer for such a price range. Some of the infotainment features in the 2019 Dodge Challenger include:

• 7” display
•  6-Speaker Audio Set
• Radio Data System
• Voice Activation
• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay

The Dodge Challenger has that typical rage in its appearance that an American would like. Long hood with wide front fascia has the right mixture of composure yet aggressiveness. The muscular 18" x 7.5" Cast Aluminum Wheels with 245/45ZR20 AS Performance Tires further enhances the charm. The rear is pretty simple in comparison but the lip spoiler at back is enough to radiate the underlying thrust. The iconic grille with chrome accents brings about the soberness which is somewhere hidden in the pursuit of rage and aggression. Thus, the 2-door masterpiece is as usual a treat in its presence.

Keeping appearance aside, the functionality of dimensions comes into play. The spaciousness inside the cabin is achieved by extra inches in the outer body with a relatively bigger and lengthier design approach in the Challenger. On the other hand, others are pretty much within the circumcenter relative to one another. Going by the books, the 230i is the most compact one which gives it an innate advantage in its handling and better cornering abilities over others but not by a huge margin. Some of the noteworthy exterior features include:

• Iconic Grille
• 18" x 7.5" Cast Aluminum Wheels
• 245/45ZR20 AS Performance Tires
• Lip Spoiler
• Spare Tire Mobility Kit

The Dodge Challenger has proven to be reliable machinery as far as its life cycle and structural integrity are concerned. It has an overall 5-Star rating in the NHTSA Crash tests and “Good” and “Acceptable” ratings in the IIHS. In addition to that, there have been only a few complaints registered to its name. Therefore, one can be assured of a safe journey in terms of impact resilience. 

The readiness and alertness to avoid even the slightest chance of collision become one of the most important aspects. Unfortunately, it lacks that frontal collision prevention package. But it has some standard features which are basics like the ABS, Traction Control, and Roll Stability Control. The handling dynamics are taken care of by the Electronic Stability Control. Thus, it can be concluded that it just does fine in this department. The highlighting safety features of this section are:

• Traction Control
• Roll Stability Control
• ABS
• Electronic Stability Control
• ParkSense Rear Parking Sensors

2019 Dodge Challenger vs. 2019 Ford Mustang

The 2019 Dodge Challenger and 2019 Ford Mustang are quite a competitor but the former gets an upper hand in two important factors of this segment, performance, and spaciousness. On the other hand, Ford seems to have an edge in fuel efficiency. The weight does play its role in dynamics where Mustang has a smooth operation with a generous braking performance. But one will surely give preference to Challenger due to its performance and practicality.

2019 Dodge Challenger vs. 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 

Unlike the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro is a beast in both the acceleration and efficiency units. It has a much better trade-off than the Challenger as well in the powertrain curve. But the ergonomics and space management starts to lift the Challenger in the same limelight as that of the Camaro. Therefore, if one has to select one between the two, it becomes a real tough deal with an inconclusive end and the lever can sway either side.

2019 Dodge Challenger vs. 2019 BMW 2 Series 230i

The Dodge Challenger is simply better than the BMW 2 Series in its performance surge and practicality. But if you are more of a fuel-oriented guy with a little urge for sportiness then the 230i might suit your garage. One thing one can’t overlook is that the BMW is overpriced for almost the same offers that are being bestowed in the Challenger. Therefore, the price tag seems to favor Challenger over 230i.

Absolutely, one should go for the Dodge Challenger. It has got all you need except decent mileage. Even the price tag is affordable. The exterior outlook and premium appeal from the interior accent are other added benefits. It has the capacity of taking you along with comfortable seating posture and positioning. One area it needs to improve itself is its safety package that is not so impressive as other segments. But altogether, it makes a fair amount of deal to own.