DETROIT, MI- When Chrysler resurrected the Dodge Challenger in 2008, I was skeptical.
It was four years after General Motors brought back the Pontiac GTO, and then ditched it two years later.
I was worried that Chrysler would follow the route of its crosstown rival and bring back one of my favorite muscle car nameplates without the iconic design that made it legendary.
The third-generation, rear-wheel drive Pontiac GTO packed a lot under the hood, but the design of the vehicle killed me on the inside. It looked like a Pontiac Grand Prix mixed with an Oldsmobile Alero (definitely not muscle).
Growing up, my best friend’s father rebuilt classic muscle cars, including a half dozen or so GTO models from the 60s and 70s that were true muscle cars through-and-through. He wasn’t, as well as many other muscle car enthusiasts, too happy when the new “GTO” debuted. He, and I, had different feelings about the Challenger.
Chrysler unveiled the current third-generation Challenger in February 2008, and to my delight, it actually looked like a “classic muscle car with modern performance.”
The 2013 Dodge Challenger continues that slogan thanks to an array of technology and the classic design that stays true to its predecessors.
The 2013 Challenger, which starts at about $26,000, is extremely fun to drive, and turns heads as you're passing others by on the freeway.
The vehicle’s performance, handling and fuel efficiency varies depending on your model – the vehicle comes in SXT, SXT Plus, Rallye Redline, three R/T versions, as well asthe high-performance SRT badge, which is considered a different brand for the Auburn Hills-based automaker.
I had the pleasure of test driving the Challenger Rallye Redline, which starts at about $29,700. The vehicle features everything from the SXT Plus, as well as a red center hood-to-tail stripe and a number of performance parts, including tires, brakes, steering and suspension.
The rear-wheel drive vehicle's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 features 305-horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 21 combined miles per gallon – 18 city and 27 highway – but I was more around 18 combined mpg, most likely due to the fun nature of the vehicle and a lot of city driving.
Overall, it’s one of my favorite cars, and arguably the only true muscle car out today. However, the things that make it so great also hinder it from performing as well as some of its crosstown sports car rivals.
The Challenger -- inside and out -- is larger than the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, which makes it great for every day driving, but makes it weigh more (just like a traditional muscle car).
The Challenger’s lowest curb weight in 3,834 pounds, which places it about 100 pounds heavier than the lightest 2013 Camaro and about 300 pounds heavier than the lightest Ford Mustang.
That extra weight, as well as aerodynamics and engine factors, places the Challenger at a disadvantage when stacked up against the Camaro and Mustang in terms of fuel efficiency and performance.
The 3.7-liter V6 automatic Mustang with 305-horsepower – rated 19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway – delivers 280 lb.-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The 3.6L V6 Camaro with 323-horsepower delivers 278 lb. –ft of torque at 4,800 rpm.
However, that's just comparing the base models. For those who want to have the true modern muscle car, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, which delivers up to 400 lb. –ft of torque, or the SRT Challenger's Hemi V8 with 470 lb-ft of torque, might be better, but pricier, options.
Rating: 8/10
MPG: 21 combined miles per gallon (18 city and 27 highway)
Base pricing: $25,795 - $44,775
Category: Muscle/Pony two-door coupe