2017 Dodge Challenger Pros vs Cons

A throwback to classic muscle cars of the past, the 2017 Dodge Challenger is an exciting, uncompromising vehicle that is a blast to drive. Its large, retro styling is gorgeous and full of swagger, and its engine rumbles with power. For fans of 1970’s American muscle, or those looking for a stylish, aggressive two-door coupe, the Dodge Challenger is a great choice. There are a number of great reasons why drivers should check out the 2017 Dodge Challenger. However, the vehicle has a few drawbacks as well.

What’s New For 2017

For the 2017 model year, Dodge has made a few minor changes to the Challenger. All V8 models now come with a powerful and great-sounding active exhaust system, and an all new T/S trim package is available, loaded with performance and design options. Inside, the Challenger’s optional Uconnect interface now contains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Dodge Challenger – The Pros

1. Gorgeous Retro Styling

The Dodge Challenger is a beautiful automobile with a look that harkens back to the 1970’s. Its blend of retro and modern immediately catches the eye and lets onlookers know that this car means business. It is unapologetically large, squared-off and muscular, with sleek, bold lines and elegant trim. The Challenger looks like nothing else on the road, in the best possible way.

2. Powerful Engine Options

The base model Dodge Challenger comes with a strong 305 horsepower V6. This is an efficient, solid engine that is faster than most other V6’s available today, but the real highlight comes in the larger optional 5.7-liter V8 Hemi V8. There are three available trim options for this powerful engine, and they all sound and perform excellently. The R/T model has 375 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, and the higher end SRT package increases those levels to an incredible 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Dodge Challenger’s optional V8 engine is one of the best on the market, and a highlight of this vehicle.

3. Comfortable Ride

Muscle cars of the past often delivered a lot of power at the expense of comfort. With the 2017 Challenger, no such compromises must be made. The Challenger delivers a smooth, comfortable ride at all speeds and over uneven, bumpy surfaces. Its suspension is well-tuned and makes driving the car a pleasure.

4. Tons of Trim Levels and Options

In addition to the previously-mentioned engine choice, the 2017 Challenger offers a wealth of options to customize the vehicle to each consumer’s preference. A full ten trim packages are offered, with dozens more individual options also available.

5. Roomy, Comfortable Interior

The 2017 Dodge Challenger has a large, well-designed interior that fits five occupants with ease. Even with only two doors, entry and exit is a breeze. The roomy cabin offers an abundance of head and legroom in both the front and rear rows of seats. The driver’s seat is comfortable and functional, and the optional leather upholstery is stylish and luxurious.

6. Large Trunk Provides Utility

At 16.2 cubic feet, the 2017 Dodge Challenger’s trunk offers far more storage space than drivers would expect from a performance coupe. The trunk is both long and wide and gives the Challenger an extra level of utility that many of its competitors cannot match.

7. Uconnect Infotainment System

With its 8.4-inch touchscreen, the optional Uconnect system puts all the Challenger’s entertainment, navigation, and comfort controls all in one easy-to-use place. It is convenient and looks stylish.

8. Good Fuel Economy for Size

For such a large and powerful vehicle, the 2017 Dodge Challenger gets surprisingly good gas mileage. No one will mistake its fuel efficiency numbers for those of a compact hybrid, but its V6 engine still gets a very respectable 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

9. A Modern Muscle Car

The 2017 Dodge Challenger is a great driving, well-appointed, versatile coupe, but it is also just a cool, fun car. It harkens back to the muscle cars of the 70’s, from its look to its engine. Perhaps more than any other vehicle on the market, the Challenger is a modern muscle car.

10. Exciting Hellcat Edition

The top-of-the-line Hellcat edition of the 2017 Dodge Challenger takes everything great about the vehicle and makes it better. Its supercharged V8 engine is one of the most powerful available today, rated at an astounding 707 horsepower.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Dodge Challenger – The Cons

1. Heavy Weight

The 2017 Dodge Challenger is a large, heavy automobile. This translates to steering that is sometimes sluggish around tight corners. Drivers need to take some time to adjust to the Challenger’s bulk, but when they do they will be rewarded with an enjoyable driving experience, owing to the vehicle’s strong engine and suspension.

2. Limited Rear Visibility

The interior of the Dodge Challenger is comfortable, stylish, and spacious. Unfortunately, the same design that allows all these great qualities does compromise rear visibility somewhat. Sightlines out the front and side windows are great, however, and with properly adjusted mirrors drivers will have little trouble seeing all of the road.

3. Only Average Safety Scores

Unfortunately, the Dodge Challenger scored relatively low in IIHS safety tests. While it scored top ratings in side impacts and moderate overlap tests, it received a low ‘Marginal’ score in the small-overlap frontal tests and an ‘Acceptable’ for its head restraints. The Challenger isn’t unsafe by any means, but some of its competitors scored higher safety ratings.

How it stacks up to the competition:

The 2017 Dodge Challenger faces a number of competitors, both domestic and foreign. The Challenger is a more traditional muscle car than its American rivals like the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette, which is both good and bad. Chevy and Ford’s offerings have a more modern styling than the Challenger, and both of these vehicles have convertible options, which the 2017 Challenger lacks. The Challenger offers more raw engine power, especially in its high-end Hellcat model. European vehicles like the Audi S5 and the BMW M4 offer far more luxury than the Dodge Challenger, but they do so with considerably higher price tags.

Conclusion

The 2017 Dodge Challenger is an uncompromising performance vehicle that has a strong identity. It is a big, powerful muscle car packed with a swaggering style and phenomenal straight-line performance. It also has a surprisingly high level of utility, with a roomy, comfortable interior and a downright cavernous trunk. For drivers that want a great-looking, great-sounding automobile that offers thrills and comfort in equal measure, this year’s Dodge Challenger is an excellent choice.