2009 Dodge Challenger - Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews from Around the Web
We have scoured the web for expert reviews of this car and found the best ones for you to read. Found 9 reviews. This list is displayed in ranked order based the reviews we think are the best.| Ranking | Details |
|---|---|
| #1 |
2009 dodge challenger Professional Edmunds ReviewSource: Edmunds...The only transmission for the SE is a four-speed automatic. The R/T sports a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that makes 370 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. It comes mated to a five-speed automatic, with a six-speed manual available -- with the latter gearbox, the 5.7 makes 5 more hp. The SRT8 comes with a 6.1-liter V8 packing 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, with transmission choices mirroring those of the R/T. Dodge claims the R/T will rocket to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. We've timed an SRT8 with the automatic at 5.1 seconds to 60 and 13.2 seconds in the quarter-mile. Fuel mileage estimates range from 18... |
| #2 |
2009 Dodge Challenger Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The 5.7-liter Hemi begins at $29,320. The SRT8 test car had a sticker price of $43,985. Even though this car is larger than the original Challenger, its proportions are so nice that they disguise its size. The simplicity of its lines caused lots of swiveled heads when I drove it in traffic. I answered questions about it wherever I went. The Challenger's cabin feels large because it is. It feels like a sedan when you're seated behind the wheel. The SRT8's deeply contoured bucket seats delivered exceptional support in all of the critical areas. The instrument cluster looks similar to that of... |
| #3 |
Flash Drive: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/TSource: MSN Autos...Even though it's a coupe, the Challenger is big and feels heavy. But the chassis is balanced and well-controlled, the steering is direct and the handling is predictable. It seems odd to have a foot-operated parking brake with a manual transmission, and there is no seatback release for the driver's seat to allow rear-seat access. -Mike MeredithIt may not be politically correct, but there's something about the sound of squealing rubber and the rumble of a V8 that just gets my heart pumping, and the new Challenger excels at making these lovely sounds. Dodge has done an excellent job of capturing... |
| #4 |
2009 Dodge Challenger Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The engine revs freely up to its 6,500 redline, quickly hitting 60 in second gear. As expected, gas mileage is not so great, although on the highway, the engine burbles along in sixth gear at such a low rpm that it delivers 26 miles per gallon, which is respectable. DRIVABILITY: Here's the big difference between today's Challenger and muscle cars of the past. Those old powerhouses went fast in a straight line, but stopping and turning were always a leap of faith. The 2009 Challenger, despite its size and heft, maneuvers sharply with level, predictable cornering and really strong four-wheel... |
| #5 |
CarGurus' Review for 2009 dodge challengerSource: CarGurus
...Muscle cars were never practical, and Dodge’s stylish, retro-classic Challenger fits that mold. |
| #6 |
2009 Dodge Challenger Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...a big car with big tires and a big engine represents unfinished business, a part of youth untapped, a dream of prowess or power unfulfilled. They want the Challenger R/T. At the very least, they want the idea of it, which is why Dodge offers a V-6 version and V-8 with variable valve displacement, which allows the V-8 to run with all eight cylinders when that kind of power is desired, or to cruise more efficiently in four-cylinder mode when muscle isn't needed. Those options make Challenger ownership much more plausible in a world challenged by rising fuel prices and changing attitudes about... |
| #7 |
2009 Dodge Challenger Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...leather or two-tone leather seats Optional voice-activated navigation and/or audio system (including touch-screen, voice commands, 30GB hard drive and navigation radio) Reconfigurable display can read 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times, braking performance, road-holding and lateral force (SRT8) Under the Hood Last year's Challenger was only available with the SRT8's 6.1-liter V-8. For 2009, the Challenger goes mainstream by offering a V-6 and manual transmission option. There's also a reengineered 5.7-liter Hemi with variable valve timing and an expanded multi-displacement system that allows the... |
| #8 |
2009 Dodge Challenger Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...Disc brakes are strong and sure. For those who want the Challenger's looks at a bargain price, the SE, with a 250-horsepower V-6, begins at $21,320. The Hemi begins at $29,320. The Challenger's cabin feels large because it is. The car feels like a sedan when you're seated behind the wheel. The contoured bucket seats delivered exceptional support in all of the critical areas. The instrument cluster looks similar to that of the Chrysler 300. The optional navigation unit has a large LCD display that is easy to read and use. Other features, such as a built-in hard disc and Bluetooth connectivity... |
| #9 |
2009 Dodge Challenger Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...How it Drives: Challenger R/T The good: The R/T irons out most of the SE's failings, and it doesn't introduce any new ones. The bad: It still isn't as quick as you might think. Blame the weight. With two tons of car to move, Chrysler's mighty 5.7-liter V-8 builds power in a measured swell, but it isn't available as instantly as I would like. Upgraded with a higher compression ratio and variable valve timing for 2009, the pushrod Hemi pummels the Mustang GT's three-valve V-8 in terms of horsepower and torque ratings, and it feels lustier across the tach's midrange. Yet the Mustang GT doesn't... |
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Why should I also consider these?
Sporty cars like the 2009 Dodge Challenger invite paper comparisons where horsepower, torque, and available performance options rise to the top of the priorities list.
This focus on performance limits the Challenger's competition to its two historical competitors (Mustang and Camaro).
Compared to these competitors, the Challenger's trunk is larger at 16.2 cubic feet, and it does have marginally more rear seat room, although none of these cars offers a truly roomy backseat.
