For 2010, the Dodge Challenger made only minor changes and most were just in aesthetics – which was a good thing. The 2009 Challenger proved that the car was a hot-ticket item and was a competent sports coupe, so the need for major revamps was uncalled for this early in the game. Like the first-generation Challenger, Dodge opted to make few changes for the second model-year of the third-generation Challenger.
That said, a little spicing-up couldn’t hurt.
As the new Chevy Camaro was selling in full force and the 2010 Mustang was out-selling both, the Challenger still was wading through deep water trying to increase sales. It didn’t stop the car from having its best year yet and giving the other two ponies something to be concerned with.
| Model | 2010 Dodge Challenger |
| Type | 2-Door |
| Names & Trims | SE, R/T, SRT8 |
| Engines | 3.5Liter, SOHC V6, 5.7Liter, VVT V8, 5.7Liter MDS V8, 6.1Liter, OHV Hemi V8 |
| Price range | $23,500-$42,000 |
2010 Dodge Challenger Models
Dodge Challenger SE
The SE remains virtually unchanged as the “affordable” Challenger. It is still a sharp, stylish, and sporty-looking coupe for a very competitive figure. Yes, it doesn’t have the straight-line performance that most sport coupe customers are looking for, but the average grocery getter can get to the store with good gas mileage, fantastic looks, and a few extra dollars to spend in the wine and spirits aisle.
Challenger R/T
The R/T’s biggest change comes in the form of an MDS (multi-displacement system) V8. Basically, this system shuts down four of the eight cylinders while the car is cruising or driving at a steady pace.
The thought behind the tech was a large gain in MPG, but realistically, it didn’t change it that drastically. In fact, the EPA estimates place the MDS engine 1 mpg better than the standard one. Enough to bother with? Not really. And it is certainly a far cry from the 20% increase that the company was hoping for.
Challenger SRT8
Unchanged for the most part for 2010, the boss model retains the 425hp V8 and all of the other performance pieces from 2009. It was still a major bump in performance over the V6, but not a cost value when placed next to the $10k savings from the R/T.
Beyond the inner-family price quarrel, the Challenger SRT8 was having to deal with other sports coupes in its price slot that were more svelte and quicker. Dodge would need to augment this before too long, but for now, the R/T remained the better deal.
Mopar ’10 Challenger R/T
This limited-edition Challenger only sold some 600 copies and was available in a stunning metallic black pearl color. To add to the style, you could get, yes, red, white, or blue stripes for it as well. But, look at it. There is enough aggression to start a fight just sitting there.
Added to the mix were hood scoop and pins, rear wing, classic blackened rims on the outside, and a Hurst pistol shifter, special badging, and other interior tweaks inside. The only drawback was the measly 10hp increase from a cold air intake – which is even suspect you’d get or FEEL that much.
This also brought the R/T close to $40k as well which encroached on the SRT8. So, you’d get all the above looks and still get creamed at the dragstrip by another Challenger that cost just $2,000 more. Not great, but seemingly a good investment now since such a low number were built.
Furious Fuschia Challenger SRT8
Another fun-filled Challenger was the SRT8 Furious Fuscia model. With the hot pink look came interior color coordination with white seats and pink stripes. There were only about 400 of these produced and could either come with autostick or 6-speed manuals. Performance-wise, these were identical to the typical SRT8.
2010 Challenger Specifications
| Challenger SE | Challenger R/T | Challenger SRT8 | |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 5.7L V8 | 6.1L V8 |
| Horsepower | 250 | 372 | 425 |
| Torque | 250 | 401 | 420 |
| MPG Cty/Hwy | 17/25 | 16/25 / 17/26* | 13/19 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Auto | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual |
| Drive Type | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Weight | 3720 | 4040 | 4140 |
| 0-60 | 6.6 seconds | 5.5 seconds | 4.8 seconds |
| 0-¼ mile | 14.9 @ 94 mph | 13.6 @ 104 mph | 13.1 @ 108 mph |
| MSRP | $23,245 | $30,860 | $41,230 |
The acceleration times would be virtually unchanged from last year and still kept the Challenger competitive against the Mustang and Camaro. As I’ve said, as the price gets closer to the $50k range, the competition becomes more fierce, but there is enough in the lower range to keep customers buying.
Quick Comparison
There are always cheaper and more expensive cars in its class. That said, I did not compare apples to apples here… more like apples to dried apples and apple pie a la mode. If you want a bag of tasty dried apples that are cheap and yet satisfying, you can opt for the 2010 Mustang GT.
Whereas, the deluxe apple pie with ice cream equates to the plush, German-engineered BMW and all of its heritage and design. Food puns aside, the Challenger can either be the upgrade from the wonderfully inexpensive Mustang or the dollar menu compared to the BMW’s happy meal with all its toys.
2010 Challenger Interior
Aside from some R/T interior features going from optional to standard, the inside of the 2010 Challengers are carried over from 2009. Fabric choices remain the same as well aside from the Furious Fuschia cars which carried white seats. The inside was, however, not the place of choice for the high-impact viewing as the outside was.
2010 Challenger Wheels
Most of the rims styles are carried over from the previous year save for B and G. These two carry black “pockets” which are blackened out sections for the aluminum rims. The very aggressive looks are SE Rallye and SRT8 respectively but would look impressive on any Challenger model.
2010 Challenger Colors
2010 Challengers lost the B5 Blue color and added Plum Crazy and Furious Fuschia. All other colors remained the same from 2009. The fuschia is a homage to the Panther Pink from the muscle car era as was the similarly named plum.
2010 Challenger Packages
SRT Option Group II:
Media CEnter 730N AM/FM/CD/DVD radio with Mp3/WMA support, 6.5-in touch screen, 30GB hard drive w/ 4,250 song capacity, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, audio jack, Voice Command, SRT Kicker Sound System w/13 speakers (8 locations),and a 322-digital amp w/200-watt subwoofer
R/T Classic Group:
Included functional hood scoop, Challenger script badge, dual bodyside stripe, and 20″ forged polished heritage wheels.
Track Pak:
Added 6-speed manual transmission with pistol grip shifter, hill-start assist, anti-spin differential (3.73 w/18″ rims, 3.92 w/20″ rims), and bright pedals (packaged w/manual transmission).
Super Track Pak:
Includes high-performance 4-wheel disc antilock brakes, performance steering, high-performance suspension, with load leveling and ride control, P245/45ZR20 BSW (must have performance tires, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels).
Rallye Group:
Includes dual body stripes, body-color rear spoiler, 18-inch aluminum wheels with black pockets, bright fuel filler door, and mini carbon instrument panel bezels.
2010 Challenger Production Figures
Dodge’s Challenger has now more than doubled its first-year production and is nearing the 40,000 mark. The increased choices in colors and styles had made a mark on the sales and it would just increase from here.
| 2010 Dodge Challenger |
36,791 |
Source: GoodCarBadCar.net
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