2012 Dodge Challenger User Reviews

Pros

Retro looks,see camaro first

Cons

Reliability

Purchased As Not Purchased

By the look department I think camaro beats them all,test drive camaro before you decide.bought one last week and im happy

Pros

Throwback design is a thing of beauty! Comfortable on long road trips.

Cons

Blind spots, trying to get my middle aged friends into the back seat ;-)

Purchased As New

I bought my R/T Classic 5.7L 6 speed manual transmission Hemi on June 11, 2012, and I absolutely could not be more pleased. This car never fails to put a smile on my face when I romp on the gas pedal (which I do way too often, and seriously can not help it!) My husband tells people I drive it like I stole it, and boy, is he is right.

It is my daily driver, on a 30 mile brutal commute of stop and go traffic, and even with the 6 speed manual transmission, I wouldn't trade her for the world (well maybe for the SRT8).

I have put close to 8K miles on my car, and have had no maintainence issues. I was concerned about buying a Dodge, as my experience has been they tend to have issues, but so far so good....read morehide

Pros

Head turning looks. A blast to drive and excellent fuel economy.

Cons

A little tough to see out of when backing out of a parking spot.

Purchased As New

After driving all three pony cars, the Challenger was head and shoulders above the rest. The Mustang was cramped and the Sync system was so complicated, the salesman couldn't even explain how to use it. The performance was exactly the same as the Challenger but I felt the 'stang rode too harshly. The Camaro was too closed in and the interior looked plastic-y and cheap. I bought the SXT Plus in Header Orange with the 20" chrome wheels, rear spoiler and black leather interior. The voice actuated stereo and Bluetooth phone system is easy to learn and use. From day one, people would walk across parking lots to take pictures and compliment my car. People who say they don't even like Dodge's say that that the Challenger is the best rebirth of the 70's muscle car of the three contenders. I can't believe the 30 mpg highway and mid 20's around town. I generally drive responsibly but every once in a while I'll pop it up to 130 or so just because I can. My Pentastar V6 has the same horsepower as my old 2000 Trans Am with a 5.7L LS1. The built in 0-60 timer is cool and fun to use. The ride is solid and the ESC has gotten me out of trouble more than once already. The Sport mode makes it even more fun to drive. The Challenger is the only 5 passenger of the pony cars and the backseat is surprisingly comfortable. It also has an armrest, drink holders and air conditioning vents. Plus your head actually sits safely under the roof rather than the rear glass as in the 'stang. All in all, I'm VERY happy with my Challenger 1 year and 15K miles later with ZERO repairs needed....read morehide

Pros

A hot rod with fuel mileage. Who caint love that

Cons

Not much back seat to much trunk.

Purchased As New

Was most impressed with the handling and stout look. It really reminds me of a 69 roadrunner that I once owned. It has a good balance 55/45 weight and the computerized system is a plus. I like how it goes to eco mode all the time. but launch every time I punch it. Great all around. Not good for passengers in the back seat, but all around vechicle. Like the sign says SRT. I wish dodge would come out with how many of the YELLOW JACKET's that they actually made. I took mine to Little River Raceway and recorded 12.5 to 12.9 in several passes. Thats without blowers, turbos, charges, Just stock and great for fuel mileage....read morehide

Pros

Great performance, stands out of the crowd and gets lots of attention, simply fun to drive.

Cons

Maintenance issues, very large and heavy car, rattles and squeaks after 10k miles.

Purchased As New

The Dodge Challenger was my dream car since I saw the first concept renderings back in 2005. When I laid my eyes on the concept car at SEMA the following year I knew I had to have one. I waited until 2012 and finally purchased a brand new fully loaded 2012 RT Classic. I was in love from the moment I drove off the lot. The car was a dream to drive, it handled great, had great power and growled better than most cars on the road. In the modern Pony Car race, the Challenger stood out amongst the Mustang and Camaros. Every where I went I got tons of attention for the car. However almost immediately I began experiencing some issues. At 2k miles the driver seat motor broke and had to be replaced, 3 days in the shop. At 7k the power sunroof motor burned out and needed to be replaced. That would not have been that big of a deal except it was stuck wide open with no way to close it during the middle of a hot Southern California summer. 5 days in the shop. At 10k the front rotors warped and needed to be replaced. This is where my dream car started to become a nightmare. During this replacement the dealer damaged the front quarter panel of my car due to lifting it wrong on the hoist!! 7 days in the shop. The dealer installed the plastic molding at the bottom of the car wrong, it warped and had to be replaced. 1 day in the shop. While that was being replaced the dealer dented and scratched the drivers door. 7 days in the shop!! At 15k a strong vibration developed while driving above 60mph. The drive shaft went bad! The dealer (not the one that damaged my car) had to order the parts and I could not take the car as it was not safe to drive. 7 days in the shop. All warranty repairs, but 30 days in the shop for warranty work in 9 months??!! Now a rattle has developed in the drivers door and the top of the line nav dvd stereo intermittently crashes requiring the car to be turned off and restarted. I loved my Challenger but am extremely unhappy with the problems in the first 15k!! Consumer reports rated it a poor quality choice for 2012. Wish I had read that article first. Time to trade it in on something....read morehide

Pros

Fun, speed, looks, ride and engine note!

Cons

None

Purchased As New

WOW. My family loves this car. We don't use it as a daily commuter, but instead leave it for nice weekends and special trips.

There is nothing better than getting into this vehicle and blasting down the road. Every time I push the button to start this car my blood pumps just a little bit higher.

My Vehicle:
2012 RT Classic Redline, Tungsten Wheels, 6-Speed Manual, Super Trak Pack, Leather and Sun roof.

Current Upgrades:
Deep Tint, Skip Shift, E-Brake Pedal replace and radio DVD bypass.

2013 Upgrades:
Cold Air Intake, Catch Can, Stablizer Bar, Performance headers and exhaust....read morehide

Pros

Beautiful, eye-catching, fast!

Cons

Base model is VERY basic

Purchased As New

I got this car after I totaled my Dodge Neon, so needless to say, it was a major change. Very affordable, handles well, and the big tank lasts as long as 3 weeks for me!!! I'm in love......

Pros

very nice ride and great looking

Cons

blind spots

Purchased As New

I bought my car in december, have optional 20 inch wheels which make it ride very smooth. The color of my car is blackberry, seems like i never go more than 2 days whithout a compliment on the looks of this car, have had a lot of nice cars but never have gotten so many "nice car" or" Beautiful car"......read morehide

Pros

NOSTALGIA, STEREO, MPG's, ABILITY TO MOD, EXHAUST NOTE

Cons

WEIGHT, DOORS GETTING DINGED, ALL WANT TO CHALLENGE

Purchased As New

Reason for title = I don't want this to become like the much seen Camaro & Stang. I like stangs, grew up with them and like them still, while appreciating the Camaro. They are "Pony" cars. The Challenger is not. Muscle car? Maybe, but it's more of a cruiser bruiser to me. The "ponys" are smaller and therefore more effecient in handling, and faster, though nowhere near as comfortable (or good looking IMO). It's all about what you want.
I've modified mine using not much $$$ for better handling and sound. You can really open these up and turn them into beasts, while still remaining more comfortable w/ 25 MPG highway.
2 rules:
DO NOT get the V6. It's a complete waste and you are disgracing the badge doing that.
DO NOT get the automatic. I have it (it was on the dealer lot and I could not resist). I miss stick already. Otherwise you will be forced to use slap shift manual maybe half the time. Simply b/c it's more fun and to avoid the sound and power lack of MDS cutting in and out. Look it up to fully understand.
Only reason I gave 3 stars on reliablity is b/c I've only had car for a year = 15K miles....read morehide

Pros

Beautiful! Very fast, great handling

Cons

Center consol is skimpy

Purchased As New

This Dodge creation is one of the best I've seen in years besides their Ram line of trucks. Very fast, rev limiter so ya don't blow the hemi's heads clear off. Beautiful, sleek, handles very nice! No shake as some have posted, very stright at any speed. I have 8K or so in miles without any problems. Installed a K&N filter she gulps air at 3K RPM, You have to give it a bit more gas out of first gear then you might expect. That could burn a bit of rubber if you aren't careful. Overall beautiful! A real joy to drive!...read morehide