2020 Dodge Challenger Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The 2020 Dodge Challenger is like a vehicular time machine, with bold styling and raucous sounds that recall muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. While its outward appearance and unmistakable soundtrack are the epitome of nostalgia, this two-door coupe is available with modern features galore and serious performance hardware. A pair of potent V-8 engines and an enhanced widebody kit cater to enthusiasts. A V-6 model with optional all-wheel drive allows buyers on a budget to enjoy the big-bodied Dodge in all four seasons. The 2020 Challenger doesn't have the precise handling of the Chevy Camaro or Ford Mustang, but it has a roomier cabin and a bigger trunk that make it much friendlier for daily driving. Those who prioritize power above everything else should check out the 700-hp-plus SRT Hellcat.

What's New for 2020?

Dodge does its best to keep the aging Challenger up to date for 2020 with a smattering of superficial updates. These include nine new wheel designs and finishes, more paint-color options, some fresh exterior badges, and a limited-production 50th Anniversary Edition. The latter is available on all but the base model, and it brings exclusive exterior treatments such as a body-color shaker hood and hand-painted black body panels—among other improvements. Inside, the special edition gets 50th Anniversary badges throughout as well as nappa leather with faux-suede accents and contrast stitching. The interior of the regular Challenger is also spruced up with more color options, a different flat-bottom steering wheel on select models, and more premium-looking material options on Challengers with leather upholstery.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Despite our preference for the V-8–powered Camaro and Mustang, there's a lot of nostalgia and value offered by the Dodge. As such, we'd maximize both with the R/T Scat Pack model. It comes standard with the 485-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 (versus the 375-hp 5.7-liter on the regular R/T) and the choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Believe it or not, we'd opt for the $1595 automatic, because it's much more responsive than the slushy-feeling stick-shift gearbox. We'd also add the adaptive dampers for adjustable ride quality and the Dynamics package (wide 20-inch wheels; six-piston Brembo front brakes; and a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel). The Plus package helps improve the interior with ambient lighting, faux-suede seat inserts, and much nicer materials on the dashboard and doors. It requires the Driver Convenience Group, too, which has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, power mirrors, and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Challenger's base 305-hp V-6 won't satisfy thrill seekers. The modest engine mates exclusively to the eight-speed automatic, but in the heavy Challenger it lacks the acceleration and excitement of similar rivals. The Dodge's Hemi V-8 engines are another story. The 375-hp 5.7-liter we tested had plenty of juice to powerslide on demand, and its guttural growl was gratifying. Those seeking to maximize the Challenger's potential will want the 6.4-liter V-8, which produces 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. We also drove the T/A 392 with the automatic and admired the exhaust's cannon-blast startup sound and baritone roar when prodded. While we're suckers for the shift-yourself stick, the ZF automatic is incredibly responsive to throttle inputs, with quick power-on downshifts. The Challenger hustles through corners like a raging bull seeing red, snorting aggressively and swaying threateningly. The burly Dodge is a muscle car in the truest sense: it's better on the street and the drag strip than on two-lane roads or road courses. The models we've driven since the lineup was redesigned for 2015 have had compliant rides that are comfortable but a bit unrefined. Compared with the sharper and stickier handling of the Camaro and Mustang, however, the Challenger is too soft in the twisties and its steering is too numb. The slow-to-react helm is well suited to leisurely drives and easily controlled, power-induced tail slides.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Challenger V-6 and V-8s have EPA ratings that are similar to the Camaro and Mustang, and all earned nearly identical figures in our real-world testing. Its 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V-8s improve fuel efficiency by seamlessly deactivating four cylinders when they're not needed in situations such as steady highway speeds. We've tested both the all-wheel-drive V-6 Challenger and one with the 485-hp V-8 and automatic transmission on our 75-mph real-world route. Surprisingly, they both earned 26 mpg on the highway.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Challenger has a classic muscle-car interior, with a simple design inspired by its 1970s-era predecessors and comfortable accommodations. Compared with its pony-car rivals, the Dodge is far roomier inside and adults can actually use the back seat. Unfortunately, its rubberized materials resemble old vinyl rather than premium plastic, and its rear visibility is lousy. The Challenger's broad front seats are comfortable for cruising, but even the optional seats, which have added bolstering, don't hug their occupants the way those in the Camaro or Mustang do. Dodge's pony car has an extra seven cubic feet of cargo space in its trunk versus the Camaro. This allowed the Challenger to swallow two additional bags of luggage with the back seat in use and six more than the Camaro with it folded down. The Challenger has a big center-console bin and a useful spot for a smartphone. Still, none of the cars we tested in this class were particularly adept at storing small items.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Challenger has a version of Dodge's easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment system. The feature-filled unit includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard. Looking to get the Led out? Listen to Jimmy Page's spine-tingling guitar riffs with one of two optional Alpine audio systems or the crème-de-la-crème 900-watt, 18-speaker Harman/Kardon setup.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2020 Challenger earned a four-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and average scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This old-school coupe is also available with desirable driver-assistance technology. Key safety features:

• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available adaptive cruise control
• Available automatic high-beams

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Challenger has an average limited and powertrain warranty. Unlike BMW and Chevrolet, Dodge doesn't provide any complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance