5 Reasons the Cheapest New V8 Dodge Challenger R/T Isn’t Worth the Money
The cheapest new Dodge Challenger, the entry-level V8 R/T model, is a proper muscle car. However, it might not be up to the standards of some of its closest competitors, like the Ford Mustang GT or Chevrolet Camaro LT1. Check out why muscle car fans might be better off skipping the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T for a competitor.
What’s wrong with the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T?
The Dodge Challenger R/T does many things well, including channeling yesteryear with a Hemi V8. However, it has a few issues in the segment.
- Less powerful than its rivals
- Heavy curb weight
- Slower than competition
- More expensive than rivals
- As pricey as a used Scat Pack
The 2023 Dodge Challenger will be the last of its kind, as the automaker announced that there will be no gas-powered Challengers in 2024. Moreover, while the R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat received a nostalgic nod through the swan song ‘Last Call’ models, the R/T model will simply disappear without pomp and circumstance.
Is the Challenger R/T powerful?
The 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T produces 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque from its 5.7L Hemi V8. While that’s enough to outmuscle most sports cars, it’s not up to the standards of its closest V8-powered competitors, the Ford Mustang GT and Chevrolet Camaro LT1.
Specifically, the 2023 Ford Mustang GT and Chevrolet Camaro LT1 produce 450 and 455 horsepower, respectively. However, the Mustang GT produces its power with a 5.0L Coyote V8, and the Camaro LT1 with a 6.2L mill. As a result, the R/T is the least potent V8-powered coupe in the muscle car trinity.
How much does a Dodge Challenger R/T weigh?
A Dodge Challenger R/T has a curb weight of 4,157 lbs. It’s around 117 lbs lighter than the more powerful Scat Pack coupe. Still, with a curb weight of well over 4,000 lbs, it’s heavier than its closest competitors, like the Mustang and Camaro.
For instance, the 2023 Ford Mustang GT Fastback weighs around 3,705 lbs, nearly 450 lbs less than the Challenger trim. On the other hand, the Camaro LT1 is even lighter than the Mustang GT, at around 3,619 lbs.
How fast is an R/T Challenger from 0 to 60?
The R/T Challenger will sprint to 60 mph in around 4.8 seconds with its eight-speed automatic transmission. While that’s fast enough to outrun a 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, it’s not fast enough to take on a comparably aged Ford Mustang GT or Chevrolet Camaro LT1.
Both the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 and Ford Mustang GT will sprint to 60 mph in around 4.0 seconds. Of course, the quickest times are courtesy of the models’ automatic transmissions. All three American V8 performance models offer six-speed manual transmissions for enthusiastic driving.
How much is a new 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T?
The 2023 Challenger R/T starts at around $41,535. That’s about $1,795 more than a comparable Ford Mustang GT and $3,740 more than the entry-level V8 Camaro, the LT1.
However, Mopar fans can still opt for a Challenger with much more horsepower in the used car market. For instance, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says a 2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack has a fair value of around $43,000. That means a used Scat Pack with 110 extra horsepower and an intact warranty could cost around as much as a 2023 R/T.
