Mopar muscle car enthusiasts fondly remember the handsome Challenger coupe that took on the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang in the late 1960s. Chrysler based the modern Challenger on the large platform found in the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. This ensures that the Challenger is a well-mannered rear-wheel-drive car with a range of powerful engines. It also means the Challenger is significantly larger and heavier than its direct competitors. The Challenger comes in SXT, R/T and SRT8 trim levels. The base SXT equips a V6, the R/T upgrades to a 5.7l V8 and the SRT8 features a 6.4l V8. A five speed automatic is standard on all models, although V8 models offer a six-speed manual as an option. As a muscle car throwback, Dodge offers the Challenger with a number of option packages largely consisting of performance tweaks, upgraded wheels and bright colors.

The SE trim level becomes SXT.