2009 Dodge Challenger: Tester's Comments
2009 Dodge Challenger ▼
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- MSRP: $22,220 - $40,220
- Invoice: $20,890 - $37,270
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2009 Dodge Challenger. See if the 2009 Dodge Challenger is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Dodge Challenger SE |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | SE |
| Arrival Date: | 10/16/2008 |
| Engine: | sohc V6 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door coupe |
| Transmission: | 4-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 21,320 |
| Price as Tested: | 21,995 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 3089 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 4396 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 1307 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 21.177 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 19.36 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
None
From the Back Seat
Don Sikora
In its most basic form the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T remains surprisingly refined and pleasant, if not outright sporty. The 3.5-liter V-6 offers enough punch in most situations, and even returns reasonable gas mileage for a car this big and heavy. At a tick under $22,000, Challenger SE seems to be an incredible value, but ABS and traction control are only available as part of a $2795 option package that wasn't on our test car. If you like the idea of a big, rear-drive coupe, check out the Challenger, it is a good one.
Ed Piotrowski
I will surely be punished by the automotive deities for saying this, but my favorite 2009 Challenger is this base SE. More a grand tourer than a sports car, Challenger SE is smooth and sophisticated. At $21,995 as tested, you're getting a lot of car for the money, even with no options. Getting a Challenger equipped this way makes it a three-season car only, as ABS, traction control, and an antiskid system are part of a $2800 option package. Spring for those features, though, and the sticker price checks in at less than $25,000, which is still a great deal. Unless you absolutely have to have a V8, the V6 Challenger should more than satisfy most buyers.
Jack Stewart
The Challenger is a great looking car that successfully revives the styling of the '70-'74 Dodge pony car. This is one modern car that is bigger than its '70s' ancestor and for many it will be too big for a sport coupe. The SE is reasonably priced, but the R/T might be the best value with its better performance and suspension--even though it is $8,000 more than the SE.
Rick Cotta
Looks aside, the Challenger SE is a slightly more impressive package than the base Mustang, though neither are particularly practical. But both offer a sporting image and appeal that nothing else in this price range quite matches, and it strikes me that there are a lot less satisfying ways to spend 24 grand.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | R/T |
| Arrival Date: | 11/10/2008 |
| Engine: | ohv V8 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door coupe |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 29,320 |
| Price as Tested: | 37,320 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 4550 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 5278 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 728 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 44.092 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 16.51 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Quick Order Package 27J (Boston accoustics sound system w/275-watt amplifier, uconnect studios w/satellite radio, automatic headlamps, body-color exterior mirrors, heated front seats, leather-trimmed bucket seats, luxury front and rear floor mats, power heated fold-away mirrors), Electronics Convenience Package (wireless cell phone link, driver information center, trip computer, steering wheel radio controls, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated cupholders and door handle), 6-speed manual transmission (includes hill-holder clutch, limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, upgraded power steering, chrome alloy wheels), power sunroof, xenon headlights, uconnect gps (multimedia navigation system w/real-time traffic information), compact spare tire
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
A 6-speed Challenger R/T delivers hairy-chested power and attitude that recalls the best of the muscle car's golden age. However, bargain pricing, good fuel economy, and truly nimble handling are not part of the equation.
Don Sikora
The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T is surprisingly refined and practical for a sporty coupe, so much so that comparisons with the Mustang kind of miss the point. The throaty exhaust and 6-speed manual gearbox add to the muscle-car vibe, but watch those expensive options for best value. I'm not sure exactly what this car directly compares to, but if you like the idea of the Challenger, you will almost certainly love it.
John Biel
The heavily optioned car in this test stickered at $37,320 delivered, which was pretty close to the introductory price of the SRT8 in model-year 2008. But the R/T's base price is just a little over $29,000, so if you're not a driver who has to "have it all," it can provide ample performance fun for reasonable cost. Remember, if you must have the manual trans, you'll have to dig a little deeper for premium fuel and you won't get the added fuel-saving benefit of cylinder deactiviation like in the automatic-trans version.
Tom Appel
Challenger feels like a Seventies vehicle, at least in proportions and seating position, and that's cool--in moderation. Despite its mass and sporty mission, this car is very easy to live with on a daily basis. I got caught in traffic and had to endure the heavy clutch for more shifts than I would have liked, but most commuters will opt for the automatic, anyway.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Limited Edition |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | SRT8 |
| Arrival Date: | 05/21/2009 |
| Engine: | ohv V8 |
| Bodystyle | 2-door coupe |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 39,820 |
| Price as Tested: | 44,575 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 4936 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 5717 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 781 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 46.455 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 16.81 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
SRT Option Group II (AM/FM Stereo Radio w/ In-Dash 6-Disc CD/DVD/MP3 Player, 13 Kicker SRT High-Performance Speakers, 200-Watt Kicker SRT Subwoofer, 322-Watt Kicker SRT Amplifier, Instrument Cluster White Face with Tachometer), 6-Speed Manual Transmission (Track Pack; 3.92 Axle Ratio with DEC and WP2 20-Inch Wheels on R/T; Bright Accelerator, Brake, and Clutch Pedals; Hill Start Assist), uconnect GPS (Sirius Traffic w/ 1-year service, Multimedia Navigation System with GPS), 245/45ZR20 255/45ZR20 3-Season Perf Goodyear Tires, Gas Guzzler Tax
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
On paper, Chevy's relaunched Camaro and Ford's revamped 2010 Mustang might trump the Challenger on a spec-to-spec basis. But in the tiny little realm of retro-styled muscle machines, I still think the Challenger holds its own as an overall package. Even in SRT-8 form, the Challenger's ample proportions take a toll on its agility. However, those plus-size dimensions also provide class-leading passenger space and cargo room.
John Biel
Some of the practicality of the SE and R/T Challengers (and by "practicality" we mean compared to other neo-ponycars) is lost on the SRT8 due to its higher purchase and fuel costs. The SRT8 in this test came to $44,575 with options and delivery, so you have to really value the visceral experience it can deliver in order to spend luxury-sedan money to get one.
Rick Cotta
It lacks a Corvette's explosive acceleration, but the SRT8 is plenty strong--and sounds like it--and adds a (barely) usable rear seat and expandable trunk while starting at nine grand less than Chevy's two-seat sportster. Challenger is an anachronism in today's automotive landscape, but even the SRT8 is docile enough to drive every day, and particularly when fitted with a manual transmission, is a blast from the past that is about as close to a "future collectible" as reasonable money can buy.
Tom Appel
Not quite a Corvette with a back seat, but close enough. The steering is overboosted, and launch torque seems a wee soft, but this throwback is otherwise a blast to drive, and a hoot to listen to. Where this car fits in the plans of a post-bankruptcy Chrysler I couldn't say, but I am glad it got built, and glad you can go out a buy one. You might want to buy a second Challenger and stuff it in a hermetically sealed box, because cars like this aren't going to be around much longer.
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