2023 Dodge Challenger Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Dodge bases the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost on the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, nudging the high-output supercharged 6.2-liter V8’s specs by 10 horses to 807 hp.

Inspired by a privately owned 1970 Challenger RT SE that was a legend amongst cruisers and drag racers on Detroit’s Woodward Avenue, the Black Ghost features Pitch Black paint, white rear fender graphics, a “gator skin” roof graphic, and exclusive retro touches such as chrome Dodge lettering on the hood, chrome script Challenger emblems, a chrome fuel cap, and Mopar-sourced hood pins. The 20-inch wheels have a Satin Carbon finish.

At a time when blacked-out-everything is the trend, the Black Ghost looks terrific thanks to the old-school detailing that contrasts sharply with the paint. Challengers don’t need much help looking vintage, as the design has been on the road since 2008 and is rooted in 1970s styling. But the Black Ghost is extra retro.

The interior features luxury touches, such as premium Laguna semi-aniline leather upholstery, simulated suede on the steering wheel and headliner, and genuine carbon fiber trim. Dodge overlays these materials on inexpensive plastic, but the build quality is commendable. Aside from a driver information display and an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, modern technology is absent.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger lineup ranges in price from $34,395 for a base rear-wheel-drive (RWD) SXT to $103,010 for the Black Ghost, including the destination charge and other fees. As of this writing, a $2,000 incentive is available for some Challengers. Widebodys, Hellcats, Redeyes, Super Stocks, and “Last Call” special editions, not so much.

So, while our Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Black Ghost carried a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $103,010, including the gas-guzzler tax and destination charge, the key word in this sentence is “suggested.”

Stupefying is the only way to describe how the Black Ghost accelerates. If you press too hard on the accelerator pedal, the car’s rear end gets greasy as supercharger whine fills the cabin. Stay on the gas, fingers crossed that the traction and stability control systems will sort everything out, and the world outside starts rushing past in a blur. And the thing about the relentless and addictive stream of power from the Hellcat Redeye’s supercharged Hemi engine is it continues to build well past a sane velocity.

For the record, we sampled the car’s acceleration on a straight, empty highway in the middle of nowhere. Closer to Los Angeles, responsibility was the rule, with strict adherence to Teddy Roosevelt’s aphorism to speak softly and carry a big stick. Except the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye never speaks softly.

Firing up the 6.2-liter V8 engine each morning shattered the peace in our suburban neighborhood, the Hemi brewing 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Shifting the eight-speed automatic transmission into gear tamed the embarrassing racket, but neighbors were undoubtedly aware of our progress during the first minute of the morning commute.

Considering its age, the Challenger has held up remarkably well. Featuring an adaptive damping suspension, stout Brembo performance brakes, and the sticky Pirellis, Dodge’s muscle car rides and handles much better than you expect. Still, due to its size, it feels large and a little less in charge than a Camaro or Mustang on narrow, twisty mountain roads.

Dodge offers Auto, Sport, and Track driving modes in its SRT models. If you choose Sport or Track, a warning light appears in the gauge cluster, indicating the safety features aren’t going to work as hard to save your butt.

Briefly, we switched to Sport mode to see how that would affect the Black Ghost’s behavior on the fabled Mulholland Highway near Malibu, California. Indeed, the steering felt heavier, the suspension firmer, and the powertrain quicker to flex its muscles. But that warning light dented our confidence, so we switched back to Auto mode and accepted the lighter steering effort and more compliant ride and handling in exchange for a wider safety net.

Fuel economy is an oxymoron. Quaffing premium gas at a rate of 15 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA, a Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye costs plenty of money to buy and to keep on the road. Unexpectedly, we averaged 15.7 mpg on our Southern California testing loop. At that rate, you burn through an 18.5-gallon fuel tank in about 290 miles.

The Challenger might feel bigger and less nimble on challenging stretches of pavement, but the car’s size pays substantial dividends regarding comfort and practicality.

The Black Ghost’s sport-bolstered, heated, and ventilated front seats are wide and comfortable. In addition, the driver’s seat offers six-way power adjustment to help find a proper position behind the thick-rimmed, power-adjustable, heated steering wheel. However, since it is a coupe, the long doors can present a challenge when entering and exiting in cramped quarters.

One of our favorite things about driving the SRT Hellcat is the view from the driver’s seat and the sound of the powertrain and exhaust. The dual hood scoops, round exterior mirrors, and large side windows with rear glass that kinks into the roof pillars transport you back in time. We could certainly do without the flapping cables securing the Black Ghost’s hood pins, though.

The interior’s driver-centric instrumentation and center console contribute to the sensation of driving a modern classic. The emphasis on form over function reduces in-cabin storage, but this car is all about the experience instead of utility.

Still, that doesn’t prevent the Challenger from serving a practical purpose. Since it is larger than its primary rivals from Chevy and Ford, it can comfortably carry people in its back seat.

Also, the Dodge’s 16.2 cubic-foot trunk is bigger than what some family sedans offer, let alone the Camaro and Mustang. However, the loading lift-over height is high, so pack light unless you’re looking to get a workout.

Like the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 with which it shares much, the 2023 Dodge Challenger is not a high-tech automobile. Nevertheless, besides its Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system and driver information display between the two analog gauges, some gadgets are worthy of note.

In the SRT-tuned variants, Performance Pages provide access to an array of data and configurable settings. You can choose a driving mode, review performance metrics, activate line-lock and launch control systems, and more. Dodge provides quick access to Performance Pages and the launch control system via buttons on the dashboard.

You’ll fiddle with these features using the Uconnect 4 touchscreen infotainment display. In the Black Ghost, it measures 8.4 inches across, which isn’t large by today’s standards but is an acceptable size. It helps that Uconnect boasts an intuitive user interface.

Highlights include wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the USB data port inconveniently tucked into the center console storage bin under the center armrest. In addition, you get Bluetooth streaming audio capability and a complimentary six-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. Black Ghosts include a navigation system and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.

Sound quality is good, but it trades clarity for bass, an unusual trait in Harman Kardon audio systems. Also, the Uconnect 4C voice recognition system is showing its age but still proves helpful if you’re willing to try a few times to find the right commands.

One byproduct of the Challenger’s age is knobs and buttons. You twist knobs to adjust the volume and to tune the radio and press buttons to modify the dual-zone automatic climate control’s temperature. In addition, the Challenger has handy switches on the back of the steering wheel spokes for volume and tuning. The approach minimizes driver distraction, which could be hazardous to your health in the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

Aside from traction and stability control, few safety features are available for a Challenger Black Ghost. The test car had a low-resolution reversing camera, rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.

Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control are unavailable on the SRT Hellcat Redeye and, by extension, the Black Ghost. You get Ready Alert Braking, but it activates only when you stab the brake pedal in a panic. Remaining in your lane is entirely up to you.

Because of the lack of safety features, you’re always aware of the potential penalty you’ll pay for poor driving (or you should be). There’s not much of a safety net here, so you’re mostly on your own concerning keeping the tires on the road and the dual hood scoops pointed in the right direction.

Lose control, and the Challenger provides some protection in a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the car high marks but hasn’t updated its crash-test standards in over a decade.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is less impressed with the Challenger, where it earns favorable ratings only in two outdated frontal- and side-impact tests.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger has two main rivals: the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. It is more expensive than the Chevy and Ford but is larger, more practical, and arguably higher in interior quality. Plus, you can get a Challenger with all-wheel drive (AWD), and neither the Camaro nor the Mustang can match the Challenger for maximum power output and outright performance.

If you want a convertible from the factory floor, the Camaro and Mustang are available in that configuration. But, if you’ve got the money and really want a Challenger convertible, you can get a Dodge-approved conversion that ensures considerable rarity on the road.

Unfortunately, after decades of Chevy vs. Dodge vs. Ford muscle car rivalry, the traditional showdowns between coupes and convertibles equipped with internal combustion engines are ending. The Challenger exits production after the 2023 model year, followed by the Camaro after 2024. Ford just redesigned the Mustang for the 2024 model year, so it will continue for years to come.

Driving one of the last Hemi-powered Dodge Challengers is bittersweet, especially in the rare Black Ghost specification. Walking up to and sliding behind the steering wheel of this car is like stepping back in time, especially after you push the red engine start button. This year might be the “Last Call” for gas-fueled, Hemi-powered Challengers, but we’re also looking forward to what the future might hold for this classic slice of Americana.