Dodge Challenger vs RAM 1500

In celebration of their final year turning perfectly good 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P Zeros into black stripes and circles on pavement, the Hemi V8-powered 2023 Challengers come in several “Last Call” special-edition models. Based on the R/T Scat Pack, the Challenger Shakedown and Swinger versions are limited to 1,000 examples each. Dodge will build 3,000 SRT Demon 170 models for the U.S. market, each making 1,025 horsepower. The rarest “Last Call” 2023 Challenger is the Black Ghost, limited to 300 units.

Verdict: For better and for worse, the 2023 Dodge Challenger is a time capsule, sending drivers back to an era where horsepower was the ultimate goal and fuel economy was a merely trivial anecdote. As it enters its final year, the Challenger offers more power than ever before, giving a dose of muscle-car performance heavy enough to match its irresistibly cool looks.

There's a new super-luxe trim joining the perennial favorites. There's lots and lots of new tech, including a hands-free driver-assistance system. There are new powertrain options, bringing more power at better efficiency. And we're told we can expect the fully electric Ram 1500 REV and plug-in hybrid Ram 1500 Ramcharger soon, too.

Verdict: The full-size truck market just seems to get more and more competitive every year, and Ram just brought its offering back up to the front of the pack. Whether it will stay there another five years remains to be seen, but this update has certainly proven the brand is motivated to fight.