The Best Midsize Dodge Cars
The Dodge Challenger is the sole midsize car on the Dodge 2022 lineup—and it has some serious horsepower potential.
Written by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for a midsize Dodge car, your sole option on the 2022 lineup is the Dodge Challenger. The Challenger is ideal for someone looking for a performance-oriented car that still offers a suitable amount of passenger and cargo space and a basic amount of
tech features
. For those who are really serious about performance, the upper-tier options are particularly gratifying.Not too big, not too small—if you’re looking for a midsize car that’s just right, and has some serious performance power to boot, here’s what to know about your options on the 2022 Dodge lineup.
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2022 Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger is the sole midsize car on Dodge’s 2022 lineup. Of course, there’s also the Charger, but that’s classified as a full-size car.
If you want a muscle car but aren’t interested in one as big as the Charger, the Challenger is your next best bet. Here’s a look at the options the 2022 Challenger gives you.
Pricing
At the base level the 2022 Dodge Challenger SXT starts at $30,940 MSRP, but the price tag can go much higher. The R/T Scat pack Widebody starts at $53,235 MSRP. Opt for the SRT Super Stock, and you’re looking at a starting MSRP of $88,475.
Performance
The 2022 Dodge Challenger is performance-oriented. As such, you get several engine and transmission options to choose from:
- SXT and GT: 3.6-liter V6 engine: 303 hp @ 6,350 rpm; eight-speed automatic transmission; available in RWD or AWD
- R/T: 5.7-liter V8 engine; 375 horsepower @ 5,150 rpm; six-speed manual transmission; only available in RWD
- R/T Scat Pack (including Widebody): 6.4-liter V8 engine; 485 hp @ 6,100 rpm; six-speed manual transmission; only available in RWD
- SRT Hellcat: 6.2-liter V8 engine; 717 hp @ 6,000 RPM; eight-speed automatic transmission; only available in RWD
- Jailbreak and SRT Hellcat Redeye: 6.2-liter V8 engine; 797 hp @ 6,300 rpm; eight-speed automatic transmission; only available in RWD
- SRT Super Stock: 6.2-liter V8 engine; 807 hp @ 6,400 rpm; eight-speed automatic transmission; only available in RWD
If you’re interested in this car for its performance power, the R/T or R/T Scat Pack options are the way to go. However, the responsiveness of its standard manual transmission has been a point of criticism among some car reviewers, so it might be a good idea to test drive both options to compare for yourself.
And if you’re really interested in performance—and you have the spare cash to cover it—look to options like the Jailbreak and the SRT Super Stock to get a staggering amount of horsepower.
Fuel economy
Depending on its configurations, the 2022 Dodge Challenger can get anywhere from 15 to 23 combined mpg.
On the lower end of that range is the SRT Widebody with a 6.2-liter, eight-cylinder engine with an automatic eight-speed transmission. It gets a dismal 13 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined.
The most fuel-efficient Challenger is the 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine option with an automatic eight-speed transmission. It gets an average 19 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.
Interior and tech
On the Dodge Challenger, performance potential is more of a priority than comfort and convenience features, which are somewhat sparse on lower-level trims, but offer just enough tech for the typical driver’s needs.
Some of the features you’ll get at the base SXT level include:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 7-inch infotainment screen
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration
- Bluetooth
- Two USB ports
- Six-speaker sound system
- Power adjustable driver’s seat
- Illuminated cup holders
Compared to other sporty midsize cars, however, the Dodge Challenger provides roomier seating for passengers—even when it comes to the rear seat. Its storage space is more competitive, too, with a cargo volume of about 16.2 cubic feet, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats can expand that space.
The R/T Scat pack offers a few more comfort features favored by drivers, including heated front seats. A premium 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, remote start, and a sunroof are also available.
As far as styling goes, that’s been another point of criticism for the Challenger: reviewers have commented its simpler interior and “cheap-looking” materials are at odds with its arresting exterior.
Safety and reliability
Some of the 2022 Dodge Challenger’s key safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a blind spot monitoring system. Rain Brake Support helps remove water from the brake pads for
better handling in inclement weather
, and the Hill Start Assist feature can help prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards while driving uphill. On the R/T Scat pack and SRT trims, a deluxe security alarm comes standard, and it’s available on other models through the “Driver Convenience Group” add-on.The 2022 Dodge Challenger gets an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Looking at more specific categories, the overall frontal crash rating gets four stars, as does the rollover category.
Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are a bit of a mixed bag. Its strongest points are for its moderate overlap front and side crashworthiness, for which it gets “good” ratings overall. The driver-side overlap gets a “marginal” rating, and roof strength and head restraints and seats are “acceptable.”
And for reliability? RepairPal gives the Dodge Challenger a general reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5. U.S. News gives the 2022 Challenger a predicted 88/100 reliability score. J.D. Power also rates its quality and reliability at 88/100—and it ranks #1 in their midsize sporty car category for the model year.
Trim levels
The Dodge Challenger is available in five main
trim levels
: SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, and R/T Widebody. The SXT and GT are the most affordable options, and the only two that give you the choice between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The R/T offers another step up in power, plus the option for a manual transmission. The R/T Scat Pack provides even more horsepower and other performance features, plus more options in the area of comfort and convenience.
Then, there are the upper-level performance models, like the Hellcat and the Jailbreak, for maximum power and performance.
Competitors
If you’re looking for a sportier midsize car, the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang are going to be two of the closest comparisons to the Dodge Challenger. Here’s a side-by-side look at some of their key specs.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$30,940 to $53,235 | 192-hp 3.6-liter V6 w/ eight-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 13-19 mpg city/21-30 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), mixed IIHS ratings | 3.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 88/100 (U.S. News), 88/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$25,000 to $69,000 | 275-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/ six-speed manual transmission and standard RWD | 13-22 mpg city/20-30 mpg hwy | 5 stars on rated models (NHTSA) | 3.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 80/100 (U.S. News), 80/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$27,470 to $76,820 | 330-hp turbocharged four-cylinder w/ six-speed manual transmission and standard RWD | 12-22 mpg city/18-32 mpg hwy | 5 stars on rated models (NHTSA) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 88/100 (J.D. Power) |
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FAQs
Is a Dodge Avenger a midsize car?
The Dodge Avenger is considered a midsize car. While it’s come on and off the market before, the Avenger hasn’t been in production since the 2014 model year.
Is a Dodge Charger a midsize car?
The Dodge Charger is classified as a full-size car.
Does Dodge have a mid-size SUV?
Yes! The mid-size Dodge Durango SUV is one of the three vehicles on Dodge’s 2022 lineup.
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