The 2024 Dodge Challenger marks the end of an era. As Dodge prepares to move toward an electrified future, this model year represents the final hurrah of the brand's legendary gas-powered muscle cars. For enthusiasts and collectors alike, the 2024 Challenger is more than just a vehicle—it's a symbol of raw power, bold design, and unapologetic American performance. From its aggressive styling to its thunderous V8 engines, the 2024 challenger carries the torch of the classic muscle car era with dignity, power, and nostalgia.
A Legacy of Muscle
The Dodge Challenger was first introduced in 1970 as a direct competitor to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. While the original Challenger enjoyed only a brief production run, its reputation endured through the decades. In 2008, Dodge revived the Challenger as a retro-styled modern muscle car that captured the spirit of the original. Since then, it has grown into one of the most beloved muscle cars on the market. With the 2024 model year, Dodge is saying farewell to the current generation with a series of special trims, nostalgic features, and ferocious performance options that celebrate the Challenger’s heritage.
Design: Retro Meets Modern Aggression
One of the most defining characteristics of the 2024 Dodge Challenger is its unmistakable design. While other manufacturers have gradually modernized the look of their performance cars, the Challenger has remained largely true to its roots. Its long, wide body, squared-off lines, and menacing front fascia harken back to the golden age of muscle cars. The 2024 model continues to embody this old-school aesthetic with modern touches such as LED headlights, a split grille, and a sculpted hood that often houses a functional air intake or scoop, depending on the trim.
The Challenger offers a wide array of paint colors and stripe packages, including several heritage hues like Plum Crazy, Sublime, and B5 Blue, giving buyers the ability to personalize their car to a remarkable degree. In addition, several commemorative badges and trim details mark this as the final production year for the iconic muscle coupe.
Interior: Comfort Meets Purpose
Inside, the 2024 Dodge Challenger is more spacious than its closest competitors, providing adult-sized rear seating and a surprisingly large trunk for a two-door coupe. The cabin design reflects both retro styling cues and modern conveniences. Circular air vents, classic-style gauges, and simple yet bold dashboard lines give a nod to the past. Meanwhile, the Uconnect infotainment system, an 8.4-inch or optional 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available premium audio systems deliver modern technology and connectivity.
Quality materials vary by trim level. Base models are functional and straightforward, while higher trims like the R/T Scat Pack or SRT Hellcat offer optional leather upholstery, suede inserts, heated and ventilated front seats, and performance-oriented additions like a flat-bottom steering wheel and performance data display.
Performance: The Heart of a Beast
What truly defines the Dodge Challenger is its performance. The 2024 lineup offers a broad range of engine options, each catering to a different kind of enthusiast. Starting with the base SXT and GT trims, both powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 303 horsepower, the Challenger already delivers more muscle than many rivals. These models come with rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available for improved all-weather traction.
Moving up the ladder, the R/T trim introduces a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 375 horsepower. The R/T Scat Pack ups the ante with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 delivering 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. This engine strikes a sweet balance between everyday usability and thrilling performance, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.
But it’s the SRT lineup where the 2024 Dodge Challenger truly becomes a legend. The SRT Hellcat returns with its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, available in multiple power levels starting at 717 horsepower and rising to 797 horsepower in the Redeye variant. Finally, the limited-edition SRT Demon 170, produced only for the 2023 and early 2024 model years, boasts a mind-bending 1,025 horsepower on E85 fuel, making it the most powerful production muscle car ever built.
Transmission options include a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual for those who want a more traditional driving experience. Dodge has made it a point to ensure that shifting gears remains part of the Challenger's identity, even as competitors have moved exclusively to automatic gearboxes.
Driving Experience: Brute Force Meets Road Presence
Driving the 2024 Challenger is a visceral experience. Whether it’s the growl of the exhaust, the push-you-back-in-your-seat acceleration, or the way the car commands attention on the road, every drive feels like an event. The V6 models provide ample power for daily driving and long highway cruises, especially with the added all-wheel-drive option. However, the real excitement begins with the V8s.
The R/T and Scat Pack models offer excellent balance and muscle car charm. The steering is responsive, though not razor-sharp, and the suspension is tuned for comfort with a hint of sportiness. It’s in the Hellcat and Demon models that things get truly wild. These cars are engineered for straight-line speed, capable of blistering quarter-mile times and drag-strip dominance. Launch control, line lock, and drag-specific tuning give drivers the tools to unleash every bit of performance.
While the Challenger is not the most agile car in its class, it excels at what it was designed to do—deliver an old-school muscle car thrill with modern reliability and technology. It feels solid, planted, and powerful, and it makes no apologies for being large and bold.
Trims and Special Editions
Dodge has never been shy about offering a variety of trims and limited editions, and the 2024 Challenger is no exception. In its final year, the model is available in trims such as SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and the ultra-exclusive SRT Demon 170. There are also widebody versions that enhance grip and visual aggression.
Special edition models like the “Last Call” series celebrate the end of the production run. These include unique trims such as the Shakedown, Swinger, Black Ghost, and others, each drawing inspiration from past Dodge models and drag racing legends. These limited-run Challengers feature exclusive paint jobs, badges, interiors, and performance tweaks, making them highly desirable to collectors.
Technology and Safety
Despite its muscle-bound nature, the 2024 Challenger doesn’t skimp on technology. Standard features include a responsive Uconnect infotainment system with smartphone integration, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, and optional navigation. Upper trims offer a Harman Kardon or Alpine premium audio system, customizable digital displays, and performance pages that track metrics like 0–60 times and G-forces.
Safety equipment includes a suite of modern driver assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and rear parking sensors. While not a tech-heavy safety leader like some modern sedans or crossovers, the Challenger offers enough features to provide peace of mind during daily driving.
Fuel Economy and Practicality
As with most performance-oriented vehicles, fuel economy is not the Challenger’s strong suit—especially in its V8 configurations. The V6 models are more reasonable, offering around 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with rear-wheel drive. The V8s drop those numbers significantly, with the Hellcat and Demon models often achieving less than 15 mpg combined. But for buyers drawn to the Challenger, performance takes precedence over efficiency.
Interestingly, the Challenger offers more practicality than many might expect. Its large trunk (16.2 cubic feet) and usable rear seats make it a more versatile coupe than competitors. Whether you're taking a road trip or just need room for groceries, the Challenger manages to be both a weekend warrior and a daily driver.
The End of an Era
Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the 2024 Dodge Challenger is what it represents—the end of the line for Dodge's iconic V8-powered muscle car. With emissions regulations tightening and consumer interest shifting toward electrification, this final model year is a celebration of internal combustion in its most unfiltered form. Dodge has confirmed that the next generation of its performance lineup will involve electrified powertrains, including hybrid and fully electric models.
As such, the 2024 Challenger is more than just a car; it’s a time capsule of American automotive passion. It honors the past while marking the close of a chapter. Whether it’s roaring down a drag strip, cruising through the city, or sitting proudly in a garage, the 2024 Challenger commands attention and respect.
Conclusion: A Worthy Farewell
The 2024 Dodge Challenger delivers everything a muscle car enthusiast could ask for: jaw-dropping power, timeless styling, a loud and proud V8 soundtrack, and enough personalization to make each model unique. From the entry-level SXT to the monstrous Demon 170, there is a Challenger for nearly every type of enthusiast.
While the end of its production is bittersweet, Dodge is sending the Challenger off in style. Special editions, heritage colors, and tire-shredding powertrains ensure it leaves a lasting impression. For those lucky enough to own one, the 2024 Challenger is not just a car—it’s a final salute to the golden age of American muscle, a collector’s gem, and a mechanical work of art that screams freedom with every rev.