The 2011 Dodge Challenger SE, a review.

10 July, 2011

Today, something new: A car review (if you like this one, good news, you can expect another in approximately 7 years when I’ll be due for a new one).

Around a month ago I decided the 2002 Chevy Malibu I’d been driving since 2004 was looking just too rough for my taste and decided to do something about it. I spent a week reading up on current models and doing extensive research on boring things like fuel economy. Then, after I had tons of useful information stored in my head I did the smart thing; I scrapped it all and went with the car I’d wanted ever since I saw the concept car in 2006.

I’ve now had the car for just over a month and since the new car smell is gone I feel that I can give an accurate review of it thus far.

So, how’s it look?

(Image from dodgecolors.info) Visually, this car is brilliant (you’d never guess I’ve been watching some Top Gear lately, huh?). The car feels like it was ripped from 1970 - and when you’re talking about an American Muscle car, that is a very good thing. It looks mean, and it looks angry. And it’s got a cool chrome fuel filler door, last year’s model didn’t have standard (and yes, that did influence my decision). From the front, the car scowls at you with its deep set headlights below a brow created by the hood. The car feels supremely masculine, a feeling which is extended to the cars spartan interior (see more on that below).

Truly the biggest visual indicator that this is a modern car are the wheels, which are huge compared to the 1970 model this was designed to mimic. Apparently this was done to match modern tastes, comfort and safety concerns. And, even though I flat out love the look of the old one, sitting on some 18s is pretty nice.

The ~~boot~~ (damn you Top Gear!) trunk is a nice size, apparently it is huge for a pony car, but as this is my first, all I can say is that it’s pretty large.

What about the interior?

The interior is a slightly strange combination of a classic, bare muscle car interior interlaced with modern technology. It is spartan, as an homage to the 1970 car the interior is black on dark gray, and, somewhat plain (and also, likely, to save a bit on manufacturing costs). Most of the dash is plastic, which is to be expected in a entry-level car, but feels solid, nothing rattles or feels loose. A nice touch is the leather on the steering wheel, gear-shifter and center console. This means that when you are driving down the road your hands are almost always touching leather, rather than vinyl or plastic. Also, well thought out is the way the console slides forward to allow the driver to keep his or her elbow on it no matter the position the seats are in.

My car is equipped a with satellite radio (sirius) and six speaker sound system that sounds better than expected. It really is amazing how much better factory speakers sound these days than just 10 years ago.

The seats are comfortable, and hold you in place even when you’re driving like a bit of a dickhead (technical term), and the drivers seat is powered (lumbar support ftw). Apparently the Challenger has a bigger backseat than its main competitors; The Mustang and Camaro, but if this is true it’s more of an indictment of those cars than an endorsement of the Dodge. You can fit in the back seat, but not easily.

The ‘modern technology’ I referred to before is somewhat hidden in the car until you try to put your key in the ignition. Its about this time that you realize there is no key. And on the dash where you expect to see the ignition is just a button inviting you to start the engine. Of course ignition isn’t the only part of the car that doesn’t require a key, the doors and trunk also rely on a proximity sensor finding the key fob. (I assume this is just is an RFID sensor with a battery). The whole feature seems a bit much until you realize that after you walk out the door in the morning your keys can get dropped into a pocket in your bag and never worry about them again until you need back into your house - also wonderful for trying to carry groceries out from a store.

Continuing the modern feel are the LED lights that seem to be everywhere when the lights are on (including inside the cup holders), bathing the car in a blue-green haze. It’s not a bad color, but it did occur to me how much that might clash when I’m looking to upgrade to an after-market stereo.

Ok… now the important thing: does it go fast?

It’s definitely got some get-up. The SE has a V6 with over 300 horsepower, so it can go, but the car is huge and heavy, so it doesn’t go quite as fast as the competition. Still, it’s undeniably fast - and as a bonus the engine is rated at 27 mpg on the highway - the Malibu I replaced only got 26 when it was new! If you ask me that’s pretty impressive. There is even an indicator in the instrument panel which indicates if you are driving economically… honestly, this feels very out of place in a car that looks like the Challenger does.

But, the point to make is that when you’re driving and already going fast, the car feels like it can always go faster - and that it wants to. When you step on the gas it goes - and as a bonus it emits a very appropriate growl that is an audial counterpart to the car’s aggressive exterior. There is an enclosed underpass on my way home from work that is quickly becoming my favorite place to be with my windows down, just to hear the echoed sound of the engine.

The transmission is a 5-speed automatic, but since it is an Autostick transmission it allows the driver to manually change gears if they want to.

The handling has been described as very ‘American,’ which isn’t a compliment - but, it’s a muscle car it’s not supposed to turn on a dime. Personal experience in cars says this car goes around corners very acceptably. If I’m ever in a ditch however, I do reserve the right to amend that last sentence. The car also comes with traction control, but it can be (partially) disabled for dickish-driving circumstances.

So, do I like it?

In a word, Yes.

I feel good when I’m driving it, I feel like I want to go fast. The car makes me feel happy - in fact, I almost wish my commute was longer than 5 minutes, almost.

But, most importantly is that the car makes me smile when I drive it. I smile when I see someone in a parking lot checking it out, I smile when I get a nod from someone at a stop light who is driving a nice car. (And I definitely smiled when I saw a guy pull his girlfriend away from looking at it, right before they got into a BMW).

And all those smiles are what I think are the hallmarks of a good car.