2012 saw some minor changes, but nothing in the way of style or design. The Challenger had embedded itself as a style the public seemed to have taken to and hence the Mopar folks were reluctant to change it. After all, the third-generation Challenger had sold more than 120,000 cars from 2008 – 2011.
Where the 2012 Mustang and Camaro were both doing little to change their style, the Dodge boys had even less need to make a drastic change given the changes made to the 2011 Challenger. A very big difference compared to cars of old as the Galaxie 500, for example, had a different body style every year from 1962 through 1970.
| Model | 2012 Dodge Challenger |
| Type | 2-Door |
| Names & Trims | SXT (Plus), R/T (Classic), SRT8 392 |
| Engines | 3.6Liter SOHC V6, 5.7Liter OHV V8,6.4Liter OHV V8 |
| Price range | $25,000-$44,500 |
2012 Dodge Challenger Models
Challenger SXT & Plus
The SE was renamed to SXT in order to maintain name cohesion throughout the company, but the idea was still the same: a Challenger priced as inexpensively as possible. That didn’t mean you were “taken” in any way as it was appointed well in base form and could get a cornucopia of goodies on top.
The SXT V6, however, was still underpowered for its almost 4000+ lbs shell and the road tests showed it – especially against the competition:
|
2012 Dodge Challenger SXT |
2012 Ford Mustang |
2012 Chevrolet Camaro w/1LT |
|
|
MSRP |
$25,250 |
$22,300 |
$25,300 |
|
Horsepower |
305 |
305 |
323 |
|
Torque |
268 |
280 |
278 |
|
Weight |
3834 |
3453 |
3741 |
|
0-60 mph |
6.4 |
5.5 |
5.9 |
As you can see from the chart above, the Challenger SXT wasn’t keeping pace with the other ponies and most of it comes from its waistline. At 400 pounds more than the Mustang and 100 lbs more (and 20 hp down) than the Camaro, the Challenger is seeing nothing but taillights.
Granted, the 0-60 times aren’t the most important thing to the sports coupe buyer and the Challenger had a couple of aces up its sleeve. It is a heck of a good-looking car; has the best cargo capacity and interior room; and has arguably the best stripe kits available of the three.
Another issue was at a shade over $25k, the SXT was encroaching on the R/T’s base price as well. Yes, that would get some to buy the more expensive R/T, but others may opt for a closer-to-$20k car vs the SXT.
Challenger R/T
The R/T is unchanged from 2011 and that is a very good thing. It already has the upper hand in the pricing versus the competition and keeps that overwhelmingly good 5.7 Liter Hemi V8.
One small caveat – the brochure from 2012 mentions the R/T getting 35 mpg hwy, but unless you are pushing it out of an aircraft at 30,000 ft, it isn’t even close. One can hope it was an honest misprint, but if you are in the market for a fuel-efficient car, step away from the R/T and run screaming from the SRT392.
Challenger SRT392
The SRT392 was in its second year and doing well. It mixed well in its class and the sales showed. Most of the testing magazines praised the straight-line performance but say that the corners are not its best friend – stating heft as an issue.
That said, most are content with getting to the store as loudly and feverishly as possible.
2012 Challenger Quick Specifications
| Challenger SXT | Challenger R/T | Challenger SRT392 | |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 | 5.7L V8 | 6.4L V8 |
| Horsepower | 305 | 372 | 470 |
| Torque | 268 | 401 | 470 |
| MPG Cty/Hwy | 18/27 | 15/25 | 14/23 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Auto | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual |
| Drive Type | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Weight | 3834 | 4040 | 4140 |
| 0-60 | 6.6 seconds | 5.5 seconds | 4.5 seconds |
| 0-¼ mile | 14.9 @ 94 mph | 13.6 @ 104 mph | 12.9 @ 114 mph |
| MSRP | $25,250 | $29,995 | $44,100 |
As noted above, the SXT was in need of a swift kick to its engine bay, but the other models were still taking names. At 4.5 seconds to 60, the SRT392 had ensconced itself as a true sprinter. Forget the Countach pin-up, the SRT was much faster.
2012 Challenger Interior
New for 2012 were Dodge’s new paddle shifters and heated steering wheels. The choices for media have become more like shopping at Best Buy as well as you have a dizzying amount of choices for the dash. Far cry from the AM/FM radio of 1970!
Yes, you can only get certain screens on certain models, but it was something to consider when opting for the best audio/video and GPS systems.
2012 Challenger Wheels
Wheels were becoming more and more grande sized and it likely wouldn’t be long before 20″ or more were the only rim sizes available. No, the Challenger isn’t a “DONK”, but these rims are a far cry from the original’s 14″ hubs. I’ve seen them on the old cars and they look laughable, but on the new cars, they just work.
2012 Challenger Colors
Not to leave anything alone, Dodge decided to change the palate again. Gone is the Green with Envy and pink and purple were still on hiatus. The orange has been slightly changed and renamed from Toxic to Header. Not sure “toxic” anything would sell…well, maybe doughnuts. Understandably they cannot have the same 20 colors of the muscle car era, but it would seem there would be room for some more exciting colors.
Tungsten Metallic looks like concrete. At least they added a bright yellow to the mix.
2012 Challenger Packages
Sound Group II:
Media center 430 AM/FM stereo w/6-disc CD/DVD/MP3 changer, 30GB hard drive w/6700 song capacity, (7) Boston Acoustics speakers w/subwoofer, 368-watt amplifier, 6.5″ touch screen
Super Sport Group:
20 x 8.0 aluminum chrome-clad wheels, 245/45R20 all-season performance BSW tires, 3.06 rear axle ratio, 4-wheel anti-lock performance disc brakes, Firestone brand tires, body-color/rear body-color spoiler, steering wheel paddle shifters, performance steering, performance suspension (REQ: 26G CPOS Pkg)
Electronics Convenience Group:
Body-color power heated mirrors w/fold-away, remote start system, security alarm, temp & compass gauge, tire pressure monitor display, universal garage door opener *Deletes remote start system w/DEC transmission
Super Track Pak:
P245/45ZR20 all-season performance BSW tires, 4-wheel anti-lock disc HD brakes, sport suspension, performance steering w/variable displacement, Goodyear brand tires.
2012 Challenger Production Figures
Bam!, just like that the Challenger sold over 40k per year. Between better marketing, word on the street, and reasonable pricing, the car has increased sales from 2008 by over 250%. And it wasn’t done either.
| 2012 Dodge Challenger |
46,788 |
Source: GoodCarBadCar.net
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