For 2013 there were a few name changes and, like the 2012 Challenger, a few ambiance differences, but as a whole, the third-generation Challenger just plugs along as one of America’s favorite sports coupes. Rallye Redline and Blacktop versions added some panache, but there was still the same overall Challenger formula – style plus performance times a good price equals fantastic. Better than algebra any day.
| Model | 2013 Dodge Challenger |
| Type | 2-Door |
| Names & Trims | SXT (Plus, Rallye Redline), R/T (Classic, Blacktop), SRT8 392 |
| Engines | 3.6Liter SOHC V6, 5.7Liter OHV V8,6.4Liter OHV V8 |
| Price range | $26,000-$44,500 |
2013 Dodge Challenger Models
Challenger SXT, Plus & Rallye Redline
Base Challenger SXT’s include the Plus package and now included the new Rallye Redline edition. It is a fancy name and includes some fancy extras, but essentially it was still the same underpowered SXT.
Growing ever long in the teeth, the V6 still tows around the same heft with the same lackluster horsepower rating. Worse still, the gap was growing ever smaller between the SXT and R/T and $3,000 was an extra small stretch to get 70 extra horsepower and – more importantly – 140 more torque.
I’m sure there were downsides other than the 2mpg difference highway opting for the R/T, but I just can’t see them.
Challenger R/T
Much like the SXT, the Challenger gets an upscale option called the Blacktop edition. With the same 375hp V8 and transmission, this named Challenger gets a massive amount of appearance and comfort add-ons. From the radar-red Nappa leather interior, power sunroof, and audio improvements, to larger tires, blackened grille and fuel door, and stripe kit.
At the end of the day, the Blacktop proved you can get much closer in price to the faster SRT392 without very much effort. You could get the coolest R/T on the block, but it would still be second fiddle to the 392 and nearly as expensive.
Challenger SRT392
For 2013, the SRT392 rolled on confidently as a speed-per-dollar value. At 470 horsepower, there was little on the road that competed at the low $40k range. With that, you also had a decent-sized car with a best-in-class trunk room and as many tech goodies as you could order.
It would still be a few years before the Challenger would get help from its demonic namesake, so this was the most aggressive Challenger you could get. 170 mph is nothing to sneeze at either.
2013 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 Shiftable Auto | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual |
| Drive Type | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Weight | 3834 | 4040 | 4140 |
| 0-60 | 6.5 seconds | 5.5 seconds | 4.5 seconds |
| 0-¼ mile | 14.9 @ 94 mph | 13.6 @ 104 mph | 12.9 @ 114 mph |
| MSRP | $26,350 | $29,995 | $44,100 |
At its best, the SXT was still on the losing side of the track against much of its competition. Besides being thrashed by the Camaro and Mustang, the Challenger was now dealing with cars from Subaru, Nissan, and more. One could argue its dashing looks compared to the others, but it is hard to back that up with such lazy performance.
The R/T and SRT392, though unchanged, were still both keeping their running shoes on versus the 2013 Mustang GT and Camaro SS models. The 2013 GT500 Mustang was still the everyday sprint champ against the other cars, but the 392 was keeping enough pace and giving enough savings to be an earnest option when shopping the high-performance ponies.
2013 Dodge Challenger Interior
Nappa leather abounded in selections and could be ordered in Slate Grey and Radar-Red. Interior options were the same as the previous year and as long as your arm. You could be as opulent or as frugal as you wanted, but there was enough there – even at the base level – to be comfortable and attractive.
2013 Dodge Challenger Wheels
2013 has brought some extra flair to the rim lineup. The Rallye Redline model (F.) and Black Vapor Chrome (H.) are new and exciting rims for the Challenger. The red-outlined rim of the Redline brings to mind the tires from the muscle car era and look quite impressive – even at 20″. The Vapor rim is the farthest thing from the original 5-spoke of 2008 as you could get.
The 18″ rims are all but gone and the 20″s are becoming the norm.
2013 Dodge Challenger Colors
As previous years, the Dodge color wheel changed yet again. Losing the Tungsten, Orange, and Yellow, but gaining Jazz Blue and Billet Metallic. Not the classically inspired color scheme that I was applauding for 2012 and a bit disheartening for the future of interestingly colored cars. I’ve noticed that there are more bland colored vehicles on the road than ever and this is another example of the continuing boredom. No Pink, purple or green. Disappointing.
2013 Dodge Challenger Option Packages
Sound Group:
276-watt amplifier and 6 Boston Acoustics speakers
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
Harmon Kardon Audio Group:
900-watt amplifier, 18 Harmon Kardon speakers, and tire service kit (replaces spare).
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.
2013 Dodge Challenger Production Figures
Finally hit the 50,000 sold mark. Impressive that the Challenger had also increased sales for its 5th straight year and sold three times as many as year one. Where the base SXT is pulling slowly away from the $20,000 mark, you’d expect sales to take a hit, but the love for these cars keeps customers rolling in to buy them.
| 2013 Dodge Challenger |
51,462 |
Source: GoodCarBadCar.net
