Best Car Reviews - 2019 Dodge Challenger

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Introduction

The 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T is a large, retro-inspired American muscle coupe aimed at drivers who value V8 character, straight-line performance, everyday comfort, and a traditional six-speed manual gearbox. This rear-wheel-drive version uses a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 and requires premium gasoline with the manual transmission. Its standout quality is its blend of old-school proportions, a usable rear seat and trunk, and a deeply engaging naturally aspirated V8 experience.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2019 Challenger remains instantly recognizable, with a long hood, broad shoulders, short rear deck, twin round headlamps, and styling cues inspired by the 1970 Dodge Challenger. At nearly 198 inches long, it is substantially larger than many modern pony-car rivals, giving it an imposing road presence. For 2019, Dodge added new wheel designs, a Triple Nickel exterior color, fresh interior trim choices, and expanded performance equipment across the range. R/T models also gained the Super Track Pak as standard equipment, bringing a sportier chassis setup and sharper steering.

Classic two-door muscle-car silhouette with a wide, planted stance.
Functional-looking hood details, R/T badging, and available body stripes.
Standard 20-inch wheels on R/T models and multiple wheel designs available.
LED daytime running lights and available HID headlamps.
Available performance-oriented widebody styling on selected higher trims.

Interior and Comfort

The Challenger cabin favors space and straightforward controls over a low-slung sports-car feel. Its upright dashboard, broad front seats, and relatively accommodating rear seating make it more practical than the Chevrolet Camaro, while the large trunk adds genuine touring usefulness. The R/T’s standard cloth upholstery is functional, while leather, Nappa leather, Alcantara-style suede inserts, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel were available through higher trims and option packages. Some lower dashboard and door materials feel less premium than those in similarly priced rivals, but the overall layout is comfortable for long journeys.

Five-seat layout with a more usable rear seat than many coupe competitors.
Large 16.2-cubic-foot trunk for a muscle coupe.
Power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control available by trim.
Available heated and ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel.
Large center-console storage and practical smartphone storage space.

Performance and Handling

The supplied configuration corresponds to the Challenger R/T manual: a 5.7-litre naturally aspirated HEMI V8 producing 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. It delivers a classic muscle-car soundtrack, strong mid-range pull, and engaging manual shifting. Official EPA figures for this R/T manual configuration are 18 mpg combined, 15 mpg city, and 23 mpg highway, equivalent to about 13.1 L/100 km combined, 15.7 L/100 km city, and 10.2 L/100 km highway. The supplied 17.5 L/100 km figure is more representative of demanding urban use or enthusiastic driving. The Challenger is a relaxed highway cruiser, but its considerable size and weight make it less agile on tight roads than a Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro.

5.7-litre HEMI V8 with 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
Tremec six-speed manual transmission and 3.90 final-drive ratio.
Premium gasoline with 91 octane or higher is required for the manual R/T.
Rear-wheel drive, performance suspension, and limited-slip rear differential.
EPA-rated 18 mpg combined, or approximately 13.1 L/100 km combined.

Technology and Connectivity

The 2019 Challenger offered one of the more user-friendly infotainment systems in its class. The standard Uconnect interface was available with 7.0-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, and compatible models supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth, USB connectivity, available navigation, satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, premium audio, and performance-oriented displays made the Challenger feel reasonably current, although its driver-assistance technology was less comprehensive than that of newer competitors.

Available Uconnect 7.0-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreen systems.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Bluetooth, USB ports, satellite radio, and available navigation.
Available Wi-Fi hotspot and Harman Kardon premium audio.
Available Performance Pages and configurable performance displays.

Safety Features

Every 2019 Challenger included stability control, traction control, anti-lock disc brakes, a rearview camera, multiple airbags, and tire-pressure monitoring. Available equipment included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2019 Challenger an overall five-star rating. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing produced mixed results: moderate-overlap and side-impact ratings were Good, while the driver-side small-overlap result was Marginal and roof-strength and head-restraint assessments were Acceptable.

Electronic Stability Control and traction control.
Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and Brake Assist.
ParkView rear backup camera.
Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Available adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

Pricing and Variants

The 2019 Dodge Challenger range started at $27,295 MSRP in the United States before destination charges and options. The V8 R/T started at $34,100, while the R/T Scat Pack began at $38,995 before the manual-transmission gas-guzzler tax. The lineup included SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, R/T Scat Pack Widebody, SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Widebody, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and Redeye Widebody versions. Against the Ford Mustang GT and Chevrolet Camaro SS, the Challenger offered more cabin and cargo room plus a more traditional muscle-car personality, but the rivals were generally lighter, sharper-handling cars.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Characterful 375-horsepower HEMI V8 and engaging six-speed manual gearbox.
Distinctive retro styling with strong road presence.
More spacious rear seating and cargo room than many coupe rivals.
Comfortable ride and stable long-distance cruising ability.
Wide range of factory performance, appearance, and comfort options.

Cons

High fuel use and a premium-fuel requirement with the manual R/T.
Large dimensions and substantial weight reduce agility on winding roads.
Steering feel is less precise than in the Mustang or Camaro.
Some interior plastics and trim feel dated for the price.
Advanced driver-assistance features were optional rather than standard.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A precise yearly maintenance estimate for the exact 2019 R/T manual configuration could not be independently verified, and real costs depend heavily on mileage, tire choice, driving style, and local labor rates. Buyers should budget for premium fuel, V8 oil-service requirements, brakes, tires, and clutch-related wear. Owner-reported and complaint-data patterns for the model year include electrical or Uconnect screen problems, wheel or hub concerns, steering and suspension wear or noises, engine-related oil leaks or consumption concerns, and occasional cooling-system or water-pump complaints. A pre-purchase inspection, complete service history, and a check for outstanding VIN-specific recalls are sensible for any used example.

Uconnect touchscreen glitches, delamination, or intermittent electrical faults.
Wheel, hub, tire, and vibration complaints.
Suspension or steering-component noise and wear.
Reports involving oil leaks, oil consumption, or engine warning lights.
Cooling-system concerns, including isolated water-pump failures.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.8/10. Design: 9/10 for unmistakable retro muscle-car appeal. Comfort: 8/10 for cabin room, trunk space, and highway manners. Performance: 8/10 for V8 response and manual-transmission involvement, tempered by weight and fuel use. Technology: 7/10 for an intuitive infotainment system but limited standard driver assistance. Safety: 7/10 for its five-star NHTSA result and solid core equipment, offset by mixed IIHS results and optional advanced aids.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly centers on the Challenger’s V8 sound, visual presence, highway comfort, and everyday practicality. Manual R/T owners tend to value the direct, mechanical character of the powertrain, while many also acknowledge that fuel costs, tire costs, and the car’s size are part of the ownership experience.

Owners often praise the HEMI exhaust note and strong low- and mid-range torque.
Many appreciate the roomy cabin, rear seat, and large trunk.
Drivers frequently describe it as a comfortable long-distance muscle coupe.
Fuel economy and premium-fuel costs are common complaints.
Some owners report infotainment, electrical, tire, or suspension concerns as vehicles age.

Best Cars in This Category

2019 Ford Mustang GT
2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS
2019 BMW M240i
2019 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
2019 Lexus RC F

Summary

The 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T manual is best suited to buyers who want an unapologetically traditional V8 muscle car with a manual gearbox, imposing styling, and enough interior space for regular use. It is not the most economical or nimble choice in its class, but it offers a distinctive mix of naturally aspirated HEMI performance, comfort, and everyday practicality that remains highly appealing to enthusiasts.