2017 Dodge Challenger v. 2017 Dodge Charger

The Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger are two of the most popular muscle cars in the U.S. because they offer consumers variety, style, convenience and durability. While both cars have a lot of similarities, but they each have some big differences that help to make each model unique.

Body

The most obvious difference between the Dodge Charger and Challenger is the body design and exterior style. The Dodge Challenger has a more traditional muscle car look. Like many muscle cars from the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Dodge Challenger is a coupe and it has a boxy exterior design. Like past Charger and Challenger models, the current Dodge Challenger has round headlights and a front grille that stretches across the entire front of the car. Also reminiscent of classic Charger and Challenger models is the vehicle’s two long horizontal rectangular taillights.

Though still a muscle car, designers modernized the Dodge Charger to give consumers more options. The Dodge Charger is a bigger four-door sedan that is a little curvier and more sleek looking. The Charger has a front grille and exterior taillights that stretch to both sides of the vehicle, but they have a more modern design that makes it easy to differentiate both models from the front or rear.

Trims

The Dodge Charger and Challenger are both available in a number of different trims and that makes the decision making process a lot easier for consumers. The SXT trims (available on the Charger and Challenger lineups) give buyers the option of getting a muscle car without getting something too powerful or expensive.  On the other end of the spectrum are the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat trims (available on the Charger and Challenger lineups), which are ideal for consumers that are going to use their vehicle as a leisure vehicle.

Engines

Both models are available with four engine options. The base engine is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which produces 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. A step up from that is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine and it pushes out 372-375 horsepower and 400-410 lb-ft of torque. Then there are the two performance SRT engines, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI SRT Hellcat V8 engine. The SRT Hellcat engine produces 707-horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, which makes it the most powerful engine on the lineup and on the market (until the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is available). The 6.4L engine produces 485-horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.

Interior

The interior of the Charger and Challenger vary from trim to trim. Both vehicles are five-passenger vehicles and they both are spacious and have modern amenities. The base trims, the SXT trims, are equipped with great features like a 5-inch touchscreen, Uconnect 5.0,  a few USB ports and a great sound system. The upper level trims, the SRT Hellcat and SRT 392, are equipped with all of the bells and whistles, including an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Uconnect 8.4, leather seats as well as ventilated and heated seats.

Pricing

The price for each model varies from trim to trim and model to model. The 2017 Dodge Challenger SXT starts at $26,995 and the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT starts at $27,995. Priced about halfway between the base trim and the SRT Hellcat trim is the Dodge Challenger T/A Plus, priced $40,195, at and the Dodge Charger Daytona, priced at $44,995.

Whatever Dodge Challenger or Dodge Charger trim you want, come by University Dodge. We have a huge selection of all Dodge models and we are the largest SRT dealer in the Southeast U.S. You can also view our inventory online here.

Photo source: Dodge.com