Its time, at least in its current form, is almost at an end, but the aging Challenger ain’t done fighting. After outselling the Ford Mustang in 2021, the Dodge Challenger is still selling well despite rising fuel prices. However, the last few months have shown there’s another muscle car challenging the 2022 Dodge Challenger for the sales crown. And it comes from Dodge’s own house of muscle.

The Dodge Charger beat the Dodge Challenger—and Ford Mustang—in Q2 2022 sales

Before we get started, know that there’s an update to the Challenger vs. Mustang sales prizefight. As of the end of Q2 2022, the Ford Mustang is out-selling the Dodge Challenger. Although Ford only sold 12,258 Mustangs in Q2 2022 to Dodge’s 14,558 Challengers, the Mustang sold better in Q1 2022. So far this year, Ford has sold 26,244 Mustangs while Dodge has ‘only’ sold 25,682 Challengers. And keep in mind that Ford counts Mustang and Mustang Mach-E sales separately.

However, both the Mustang and Challenger must bow to the Dodge Charger when it comes to 2022 sales. In Q2 2022 alone Dodge sold 23,020 Chargers, bringing the 2022 sales total to 38,459. Basically, Dodge has sold about 1.5 Chargers for every Challenger in 2022.

The Mustang outselling the Challenger slightly in 2022 makes a bit of sense. Firstly, Ford curtailed Mustang production last year due to supply chain issues. That logically meant it didn’t have as many Mustangs around to sell. Though, to be fair, the Challenger also had some supply chain issues last year.

Secondly, while both the Mustang and Challenger offer V6s, the Challenger doesn’t have a four-cylinder option. Some muscle car fans might sneer at the EcoBoost Mustang, but it’s a genuinely quick car. And, more importantly, its speed comes with less pain at the pump.

The 2022 Dodge Charger vs. Challenger sales discrepancy, though, makes even more sense.

Why is the Dodge Charger more popular than the Challenger?

At first glance, the 2022 Dodge Charger’s sales success over the Challenger might seem odd. Though they share a platform, the Challenger is the more retro-looking muscle car. It’s also slightly cheaper and offers a manual, though the Hellcat one is temporarily shelved. And while both the Challenger and Charger Hellcat offer Redeye Widebody variants, Dodge chose the latter to embody the Demon.

However, in the real world, the 2022 Dodge Challenger gives up several valuable advantages to the Charger. For one, the Charger has more passenger and cargo space, MotorTrend reports. Also, it has four doors, making rear-seat access easier. In addition, while neither the Charger nor Challenger are safety paragons, the former has better IIHS ratings.

Furthermore, in the long run, the Charger is arguably less expensive than the Challenger. Compared to its two-door sibling, the Charger has higher residual values. It’s also more expensive to insure a Challenger than a Charger. So, while the Charger costs a bit more upfront, it makes up for it with lower ownership costs. And by the way, these two muscle cars have identical EPA fuel-economy ratings.

In other words, the 2022 Dodge Charger outsells the Challenger because it offers more practicality with the same level of performance.

Will the Charger’s sales success continue throughout 2022?

Given that Dodge can’t magically make the 2022 Challenger more practical, the Charger will keep that advantage this year. Admittedly, that doesn’t automatically mean the Charger will win the sales crown this year. However, it’s worth noting that the Charger also outsold the Challenger in 2021, and by a near-50% margin, too.

Maybe that’s why Chevrolet is making a four-door Camaro replacement.

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