2020 Dodge Challenger

Until recently, Dodge was known for building outrageous high-performance muscle cars, including the Challenger and Charger, with brashly named trims—Hellcat, anyone? Dodge is still finding its footing during the transition to electrification and stricter emissions laws, with plans for electrified and turbocharged muscle yet to materialize in dealerships. The Hornet compact SUV is based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, and is available as a plug-in hybrid. The Durango SUV soldiers on, largely unchanged from 2011 and still based on the same design as the 2011-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most alarmingly, it lags behind more modern vehicles in crash tests. Dodge sits near Chrysler at the bottom of our used car reliability rankings.

The Challenger was updated for 2011 with suspension tweaks that bring more responsive handling with but a slight loss in ride quality. This makes the big muscle car feel more controlled and responsive, while retaining its easy-going cruiser personality. Ride and overall noise levels are civilized for this class and the Challenger retains its throaty exhaust note from its powerful 5.7-liter V8. However, at 19 mpg, fuel economy is nothing to brag about and outward visibility is limited. Updates in 2015 brought various cosmetic changes, performance-oriented features, and a choice of V6 and V8 engines spread over a bewildering eight different trim lines, culminating in the outrageous 707-hp "Hellcat" version. Our tested R/T model felt bulky in routine driving, but proved surprisingly capable despite its heft. It snarls and hangs on in corners like a Rottweiler with a rib eye. Braking was exceptional. New for 2017 was an all-wheel-drive GT version with a V6 engine. 2023 is the Challenger's final year.